Going green: Vertical gardens on campus sow sustainability, support food pantry

The plant walls are used to grow salad greens, tomatoes, strawberries and other fresh goods that are then donated to OHIO’s food pantry, Cats’ Cupboard.

The indoor garden initiative is a partnership between Ohio University Culinary Services, Student Senate and Canadian indoor hydroponic farm and garden company Just Vertical, that started in spring 2024.

The project was initiated through the effort of former Student Senate Environmental Affairs Commissioner Caden Hibbs. At the time, Hibbs said each senate commission was able to propose a project and was awarded up to $5,000 to implement it. After starting a dialogue with Just Vertical, Hibbs and other students on the Environmental Affairs Commission decided an indoor garden might be the best way to increase sustainability on campus.

Hibbs, who is currently a senior at OHIO and Vice Commissioner of the Environmental Affairs Commission, said that Culinary Services was on board almost immediately. The $5,000 was able to fund two garden walls and a two-year seed supply from Just Vertical.

“Student Senate and the executive team accepted the grant proposal award of $5,000, and the first indoor farm was implemented in Nelson in the summer,” said Hibbs. “At the start of this [academic] year, the second indoor farm was implemented at The District, and they're currently both up and running.”

The indoor gardens are up and running thanks in no small part to Executive Chef of Culinary Services Anne Liston. While the early stages of the project were still underway, Liston sat in on meetings with Just Vertical as they walked her through the process of using the plant walls effectively and growing the plants. Liston began working with the walls this past summer and says it has been a highly rewarding experience.

“I initially found it a bit intimidating, I’ve since become more comfortable with the process,” said Liston. “I recognize that there’s still much to learn. My enthusiasm can sometimes mirror that of a child eagerly awaiting Christmas—I tend to be quite eager! However, the gardens have taught me valuable lessons about patience and the importance of appreciating the journey.”

One of the reasons the indoor gardens on campus are significant is their educational impact. Having the indoor gardens located in high-traffic areas like the dining halls makes sustainability visible. Students are able to learn about sustainable agriculture, food insecurity and plant-based diets through the plant walls.

Just Vertical’s Head of Sales Patrick Ladly-Freeden said that by learning about these types of technology today we are setting up the next generation for success.

“We were happy to find out that Ohio University was interested in our indoor farming technology,” said Ladly-Freeden. “Sustainable agricultural practices like indoor agriculture are going to become more and more important to help solve the challenges the next generation will face.”

Executive Director of Culinary Services Frank Pazzanese said the walls also represent living systems, as well as OHIO’s commitment to community, student involvement and well-being.

“What better way to share life than through food,” said Pazzanese. “[The indoor garden’s] education comes not only from direct messaging through signs and graphics but also from the more subtle experiences that students may not even realize they are absorbing. The grow walls serve as one of these subtle yet impactful experiences, allowing students to observe food being grown up close and understand the time and care it takes for produce to become ready for consumption.”

Some of the educational opportunities the indoor gardens provide are also quite hands-on. Although Liston was initially trained and got the plant walls established, the responsibility of maintaining the indoor gardens has shifted to students. A work study position was established through the environmental and plant biology department so a student would always be dedicated to the indoor gardens. Student succession was part of plan, and Pazzanese says the students currently maintaining the walls and are doing an outstanding job.

“The funding for the walls came from students, and any produce harvested will be intended for the student body,” explained Pazzanese. “This initiative is truly a collaborative effort—designed by students, for students. We believe this circular approach will foster a strong sense of ownership and community among those involved.”

The food produced from the indoor gardens being utilized by Cats’ Cupboard was a natural choice according to those involved. Culinary Services and its partners aimed to create a solution that directly supports those in need. Some food pantries can be confined to shelf-stable, non-perishable items, and accessing fresh produce from food pantries can be challenging. The grow walls address this effectively. Pazzanese also said he anticipates the plant walls being able to provide an even greater supply of fresh produce as those who work with them gain more experience.

“We eventually would like to do a floor to ceiling wall in one of our locations,” he said. “We have only been using them for about three months. This innovative idea will be a work in progress but very beneficial to our students and staff. We are very excited for this future expansion.”

The Cats’ Cupboard Food Pantry offers twice monthly pick-up of free food from the pantry for all OHIO students, faculty, and staff. Pantry members can shop in person by appointment only.

To learn more about Cats’ Cupboard or to book an appointment please visit: https://www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/dean-of-students/basic-needs-programs/food-assistance#cats-cupboard.