Ruthie Schwab ’09 started the Garden Project in September 2006 with the help of other students, faculty, and staff. The garden at Forbes College was planted the following spring, in April 2007. The Garden Project currently has a 1.5 acre plot at 79 Alexander Street. The group's mission is to educate the campus and community about the American food system and its implications for the environment, our health, nutrition and culture, and the future. The Garden Project accomplishes this through modeling sustainable food production at the Forbes Garden, by providing fresh, organic produce and flowers to campus chefs for use meals and events, and through outreach and education. The Forbes Garden also serves as an event space throughout the year where campus and community members can gather.
Student garden managers maintain the garden throughout the academic year and summer interns maintain it during the summer as part of an internship program overseen by the Office of Sustainability. Additionally, the Magic Fund generously supplied funding for the garden's greenhouse, split-rail fences at the Alexander garden, and more.
In the news
Princeton Garden Project: Food for Thought, Forbes College website
Garden Project Celebrates Fall Harvest Festival at Forbes
Garden grows into perennial learning project, Princeton University homepage
Garden Project aims to educate campus about food choices and sustainability, Princeton University homepage