We were somewhat perplexed at Thursday’s editorial (“How does your garden grow?” Oct. 30). Student Council passed a resolution in support of creating a community garden, an essential first step allowing our committee to proceed with drafting our plan- nothing more. Once the plan is presented, the merits or lack thereof should be debated. But it is premature and irresponsible for The Cavalier Daily to take a position on a plan that has not been completed or presented publicly in regard to its specifics.
The community garden concept is a creative way to enable our two communities to come together on-Grounds while providing lower income Charlottesville residents with fresh produce.
As stated at the Student Council meeting, we expect our costs to be minimal. Beyond the plot of land, which we hope will be donated by the University, the remaining costs will be largely underwritten through grants, community sponsorships and private donations.
Small funds from the University may be sought through specific academic departments; however, our partnerships with these departments are not contingent upon their monetary support. The highest costs to the project are the volunteer hours it will take to start this program and obtaining space to actually break ground - both costs that have been or are in the process of being addressed.
Your editorial raised the issue that not every student will use this garden. At a diverse university of over 20,000 people, there is no single activity which all students participate in. Our choice not to participate in some groups does not mean that we do not believe they should exist.
We hope that before you take any more stands in The Cavalier Daily, you take the time to actually read the comprehensive plan we look forward to presenting.
Melissa Warnke
CLAS IV
Chair, Enviromental Sustainability Committee
Ben Chrisinger
CLAS I
Vice-Chair, Enviromental Sustainability Committee
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