This semester, a new organization is starting on campus called SRU Growers Guild. The organization works to maintain the greenhouse that is located at Vincent Science Center.
The club was created by sophomores Alyssa Starkey and Elizabeth Brison.
“So, me and my friend Lizzy started the club. Technically the club is brand new; it was just approved a few weeks ago, so we have our founding group here. We just created our founding e-board and everything, but me and Lizzy have been working in the greenhouse now for a year,” Starkey said.
When Starkey and Brison were freshmen, they noticed that the campus greenhouse needed some work. For about a year, the students worked together to improve the space.
Now the students plan to grow the new club and continue to maintain the greenhouse.
“It’s really exciting to get a club in here and get some people that are really interested in it and see where it can go,” Starkey said.
“We plan to eventually be able to do programing and stuff in it, where we do workshops and things that all students are welcome to attend,” Starkey said.
This semester, the club is working on hosting a plant sale at the end of November where they will be selling succulents to raise money for greenhouse renovations and items needed for the organization.
The date for the plant sale has not been confirmed yet, but students can find information about the sale and the organization on Instagram @sru.growers.guild.
The founders wanted to introduce a club for individuals who enjoy and are interested in growing plants.
“I was really surprised that there was no gardening club on campus. There used to be way back when, but there’s nothing anymore…we have a whole biology program, we have a greenhouse, I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t be doing anything in it. And if we can engage other students with that, then all the better for it,” Brison said.
The club hosts meetings in Vincent Science Center in room 122 every Thursday at 6 p.m. The first Thursday of the month is called their ‘formal meeting,’ where everyone sits down and discusses everything going on during the month, as well as sets a plan for future workshops and renovations that the club hopes to have.
The other three Thursdays of the month will be greenhouse workdays. All students are welcome to attend any of the meetings.
