DelVal Students Launch Victory Gardens Project

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Delaware Valley University students will be growing their own at-home victory gardens this spring and summer, thanks to donations from alumni and seed companies.

The university recently shipped packages of seeds to 600 of its students, who will sharing their victory garden updates with their peers on social media.

The university said the project is one of many efforts to help students stay connected during a time of social distancing.

Burpee, Hart Seed, EarthWorks Seed, Rohrer Seeds, and two DelVal alumni — Christine Esterline Griesemer ’12 and Jim Griesemer ’12 — donated the seeds that were mailed to DelVal's students.

The students will be growing cucumbers, dry beans, flowers, green beans, herbs, hot peppers, lettuce, melons, other leafy greens, peas, pumpkins, radishes, summer squash, sweet corn, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and more.

University representatives say the project was inspired by the victory gardens that people grew in the U.S. during World War II.

"The DelVal Victory Gardens will function in a different way than the World War II victory gardens. While they will provide food, the main benefits of these modern victory gardens will be opportunities for social connection, time in nature, and a chance for students to give back to others," the university said in an announcement.

"We're grateful for the seed donors who stepped in to help us with this project," said Broc Sandelin, the dean of The School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

"We sent out a survey to students to ask if they would like to receive seeds and to find out what kind of seeds they would be interested in receiving. The response was very positive, with 600 of our students from a wide range of majors wanting to participate. These home gardens will allow students to get outside and take pride in growing healthy food. Growing plants and sharing updates online is also a great opportunity to connect with classmates and faculty remotely."

Students also expressed enthusiasm for the project.

"I think these gardens are a fantastic way to bring joy to folks during this difficult time," said Alana Miller, a member of the class of 2022. "It was heartwarming to read that many students intended to support their local churches, food pantries, and neighbors with their gardens."

If you want to follow along with the students' victory gardens project, follow DelVal on Instagram (@DelawareValleyUniversity), Facebook (Facebook.com/delval) and Twitter (@DelVal) .