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Community service project teaches students 'green thumb' techniques

By Derrick Rhooms

On May 2, 2016

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Winston-Salem State’s students were giving a hand and learning how to garden for themselves as they participated in the community service group at Simon’s Green Acre community garden on April 2.

From left, Melvin Sutton, senior
rehabilitation studies major and
Alexis Morgan, sophomore
exercise science major moving
sticks at the Community Garden
on April 2.
Photo Credit: Desrick Rhooms

WSSU has been active with the community for three years.

The garden was started by the Simon Green Atkins Community Development Corp. and is located at the Enterprise Center, largest building in the company.

“The garden was created because people need to learn how to grow healthy food [and], it will help sustain the community. If grocery stores were to go out of business tomorrow, we all should be able to know how to garden,” Carol Davis said.

Davis has worked for the Simon Green Atkins Corp. for 15 years and has worked at the Enterprise Center since 2011.

“We need to learn more about the nutrition information labels because the black community tends to have diabetes and become obese,” Davis said.

Davis said anybody in the community can plant in the garden on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The community service project’s goal was to help students apply concepts in class while assisting the community, which is practicing social justice.

Andrea Patterson-Masuka has taken students from her Communication and Media Studies classes to participate in gardening for the past three semesters.

“I originally was here to gain extra credit for my class but I’ve enjoyed helping out and learning about the garden since I’ve been here,” said Burley Levette III, a senior chemistry major from Greensboro.

“This is a place where people can connect and make sure the community is healthy. Just informing the youth and giving them knowledge about eating healthy is important because they’re our future,” Wynne Brown.

Brown previously was the Student Health Director at WSSU; she said the biggest challenge is to get students interested in the garden.

“I came here for class and I’m interested in helping out and giving back to the community,” said Vikaya Powell, a sophomore exercise science major from Maryland.

A student project manager is selected from the Patterson-Masuka’s class each semester. Chelsey Wiggins, a graduating senior, was selected as the spring 2016 project manager.

“Wiggins demonstrated excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. Her negotiation and ability to create a shared vision."