SURF Medicinal Herb Research Garden

As plant medicine is becoming increasingly popular and visible, a medicinal herb garden designed with the intention of doing research would be a unique feature at SURF, the Sustainable University of Redlands Farm. We are campaigning to raise $4,000 to develop space and infrastructure on SURF to support research on medicinal herbs and expand the use of SURF as an outdoor classroom.

Plant studies will draw from a variety of traditions, including Indigenous, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Western Herbal Tradition. Separate raised bed boxes can be used to create different growing conditions, separately introduce contaminants, and simulate different biomes. Beds will need independent irrigation systems, various degrees of sunlight, and specific soil conditions that can be manipulated to create controllable environments.

While Chemistry Department members and the SURF garden are initiating this project, we intend to make this a space where other disciplines can implement their ideas and projects. Our intention is to create a multi-disciplinary tool, where chemistry, biology, sociology, and medicine can come together and ask questions that propel the use of herbal medicine to improve the quality of life.