Learning Garden

This sign states: “Learning garden. Not for picking. Reserved for educational programming. Established  in 2012, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, to serve as an environmental  education tool, urban gardening resource, and healthy food access point for urban youth and college  students. Relocated from Food Forest Avenue to this location in October 2021, the learning garden is  now part of a much larger permaculture ecosystem to demonstrate sustainable urban agriculture.  

Get involved. Sprout is run and maintained by volunteers of all ages and skill levels. New volunteers are  always welcomed, no experience necessary! Tasks include watering, mulching, harvesting, weeding, and  youth programming. All volunteers and program participants are given the opportunity to take home  produce. Excess produce is donated to the Little Free Pantry on Carpenter Avenue.”  

At the bottom of the sign, there is a drawing of various types of produce, including garlic, broccoli, kale,  potatoes, and tomatoes.  

The right side of the sign features a blue box that states: “Commitment to inclusion. As a program of  Drake University, we seek to consistently re-examine our understanding of history, remove barriers to  being diverse and inclusive, and create an environment where the contributions of all who enjoy this  space are celebrated and treated with respect and dignity.  

Land Acknowledgement. We recognize that our presence here today is a result of a brutal history.  Sprout is located on the traditional, ancestral unceded land of the Báxoǰe (bah-Kho-je) or Ioway, Suak  (Sac), and Meskwaki (Fox) peoples. Therefore, we offer our respect to the original stewards of this land,  their elders both past and present, as well as future generations.”  

“For more information visit drake.edu/sproutgarden. Contact us at the email sprout@drake.edu.”