College of Agricultural and Life Sciences expands student-teaching gardens

UF professors now have the chance to show their students how to grow watermelon, kale and onions.

The seven-acre Field and Fork Teaching Farm, located south of Hull Road, is now offering all UF faculty members the opportunity to teach their students how to grow vegetables and fruits, said Anna Prizzia, the campus food systems coordinator.

“Everyone works together and shares the benefit of the harvest,” Prizzia said.

The UF Field and Fork Campus Food Program, started by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, sees between 30 to 50 volunteers each week on its Field and Fork Student Gardens, located next to the UF Bat House and the now-teaching farm, she said. The program has donated more than 40,000 pounds of vegetables and fruits to the UF Field and Fork Pantry, a free on-campus food pantry for students and faculty, she said.

Sophia Gibaldi, who volunteers at the gardens three times per week, said she’s always been interested in growing her own food.

“After the moment I planted my first beet plant, I was inspired to change my major from agricultural engineering to horticultural sciences,” the 21-year-old UF horticultural science senior said.

When Gibaldi began volunteering in Spring 2014, there were only four volunteers. Now, Gibaldi assists other students in growing grow their own food.

“My favorite part of all of this is celebrating local, fresh food with a group of friends and being outside in a beautiful space,” Gibaldi said.