Garden deserves respect, will benefit SHU community

Seton Hall's decision to partner with Gourmet Dining Services and found a sustainable garden between Xavier Hall and the Caf is a welcome way for the University to promote greater environmental stewardship. The Setonian hopes students will respect the new garden and refrain from vandalizing it.

Americans are joining a growing green movement to raise their own food in efforts to ensure they know where their food comes from while controlling the substances their produce is exposed to. The sustainable garden will provide an opportunity to for students interested in joining this aspect of the green movement to take part in it and gain the skills necessary to grow their own personal gardens after graduation.

Students who take part in the garden program will be able to see the fruits of their labor be put to use in campus dining for the benefit of the whole campus community. Now, student gardeners will be able to know where their food is coming from, and know for sure that some of it is local, rather than rely on GDS and their produce wholesalers to ensure our food has local roots.

The Setonian calls upon all of the members of our community to respect the work of the many groups who made this garden possible. It has the potential to benefit our community in a variety of ways, and students who want to participate in the garden should be allowed to without having to wonder their garden will survive long enough to be harvested.