Campus Garden

College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Campus Garden was created in 2018 after Agricultural Science Department Chair, Andrea Schumaker, learned more than 40% of CWI students suffer from some form of food insecurity.

Schumaker has introduced the garden into coursework to educate students about why their food choices matter, how to vote with their dollar, and supporting local agriculture.

“The funds in the first year were used to get a functioning garden up and running, but after that it was, ‘How do we continue to sustain this?’ Gardens cost money to maintain," she shared.

Schumaker calls the garden her classroom because she is able to show students and community members where their produce comes from and even able to expose them to new foods. Ultimately, what keeps her going nearly seven years later, is the very reason she created the garden in the first place — to feed those in need.

“As I unload the fresh produce in the lobby of NCAB, a student sometimes will come up to me to tell me they were having trouble purchasing groceries that week and this free food will help feed them.” Schumaker said it breaks her heart to hear stories like that — especially as often as she does. However, it reminds her of the importance of the garden and how grateful she is others around the community recognize its role in student success.

“It’s a labor of love and feels great to give students the opportunity to harvest vegetables, educate them on agriculture, and play a small role in helping provide fresh, nutritious food to them and their families.”

Your gift to the Campus Garden will support hands-on learning experiences and fresh produce for CWI students.