Brock gardeners, whether green or experienced, are needed to mind community plots on campus.

The community garden, located in front of Zone 2 beside Theal House, has six plots still available this growing season at no cost.

This is the first year Niagara Sustainability Initiative (NSI) is overseeing the green space in partnership with the University.

The garden, which includes 12 plots in total that are each eight feet long and four feet wide, was built in 2012 to allow students to grow a variety of produce. Use of the plots has since been opened up to include all members of the Brock community.

Gardeners get to keep anything they grow.

Participants are responsible for maintaining their plot and the pathways around their garden space. NSI volunteers are currently maintaining the unclaimed plots.

Tools are available on site for use.

“It allows people to come out during their lunch break or after work to unwind and do some work at the garden,” said NSI Executive Director Tikvah Mindorff (BA ’15), who founded the garden during her time at Brock.

Mindorff encouraged people who are interested in gardening but don’t necessarily have the experience, to contact the NSI for help.

“Whether you’re experienced or not, the garden is an opportunity to learn,” she said. “There’s very fertile soil at Brock. We need people to come forward with ideas so we can help make them happen.”

Plots that are not claimed will be used by NSI to grow food that will then be donated to the Niagara Farm Project, which teaches people in need how to become food secure, how to cook and how to preserve food.

For anyone interested but not ready to take on a plot in 2017, the deadline to apply for a plot in 2018 is Dec. 31.

Faculty, staff and students can sign up by visiting the Niagara Sustainability Initiative website.