Jull Hall has long been known for its creepy-crawling critters, but did you know that its surroundings are also home to satiating, scrumptious edible plants?
Meredith Epstein, Sustainable Agriculture lecturer, organized a campus foraging walk that proved how just how lush the greens are around the IAA. Two dozen students, faculty, and staff met in front of the tulip garden, woven wooden baskets in hand, to begin a 50-minute journey led by Epstein and Eric Kelly from Charm City Farms. Kelly, a farmer and sustainable-living enthusiast, strolled the north campus grounds with the eager group, pausing frequently to bend down and pluck a plant or two and explain its practical uses.
“I kind of feel like I was born into it,” said Kelly about his interest in sustainability. Permaculture really scratched an itch. I was always a naturalist and liked to garden.”
The farmer identified creeping charlie, a common weed used to make medicinal tea; yarrow, wild peas, wood sorrel, which is used as a lemony garnish for fish; and daylilies, among many other pieces of foliage. People were surprised at the number of practical uses those common plants have in everyday life.
“This is great! I’m really excited to make teas!” said Hally Sablosky, a Spanish major and sustainability minor. “It’s so interesting what nature gives back to us.”
Epstein, who organizes several guest lectures each month, was more than thrilled with the turnout.
“Tonight's topic drew twice as many attendees as any other lecture in the Sustainable Agriculture Tuesdays series - and not just students, faculty and staff, but community members as well,” she said. “I think it's some evidence of the public's growing interest in diverse, nutritious, and sustainable food.”
