By Arlene Medder, former UNC Employee Forum Delegate
For quite a few years, Claire Lorch, manager of the North Carolina Botanical Garden’s Carolina Campus Community Garden (CCCG), wished for a greenhouse. A greenhouse would provide an opportunity to propagate a greater number and variety of plants based on cultural preferences and disease resistance, and she could involve volunteers in that process.
Distributing mature tomato plants is a CCCG tradition greatly appreciated by the Garden’s primary recipients, UNC housekeepers. With a greenhouse, they can expand beyond tomatoes to other easy-to-grow vegetables that can be grown in containers or in a garden. It is another way the CCCG can assist in providing nutritional food and encouraging healthy eating habits.
Thanks to funds from the student organization Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee (RECPC), a partnership with NC State School of Design faculty and students, and the efforts of architects and builders from Szostak Design, two solar consultants and others, her wish is now granted. Construction of the greenhouse began in the summer of 2016.
The greenhouse, recently completed, will be in production very soon. CCCG will host a ribbon-cutting/reception/tour on April 21st. All those who contributed to this effort will attend and the public is invited to join in the celebration.