By Monique Lunsford – Special Contributor
On March 26, Omicron Mu Omega Chapter planted marigolds, corn, and flat leaf Italian parsley on the Food for Good Farm on the campus of Paul Quinn College. The effort was in support of the sorority’s global initiative “Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability.” The goal of this program is to promote strategies and awareness campaigns to encourage energy efficiency, conservation, eco-living, reforestation, urban gardening, education and empowerment of consumers with limited resources.
According to Andrea Bithell, Paul Quinn’s Farm Manager, the community garden was originally started in March 2010 with just 16 teaching beds. Later, it was converted to a farm that spans across the entire unused football field for the purpose of growing food to feed the community, an idea put forth by Paul Quinn President Michael J. Sorrell.
Ms. Bithell and farm work study students maintain the ground, fruits, and vegetables on a daily basis with the assistance of Elizabeth Wattley, Paul Quinn’s Director of Service Learning.
Under the farm’s four C’s of distribution, food is grown for the school cafeteria which serves a fruit and vegetable of the month. The farm will also be open to the community to come on campus to purchase food. In addition, 10% is donated to a local need. Last Fall, chefs for the Dallas Cowboys and local restaurant Bolsa purchased food.
“Good nutrition is key to everything,” Bithell said. “That’s why everything we do on the farm is organic. We do not use any harmful chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides.”
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is an international service sorority founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college women. The sorority’s mission is “Service to all mankind.”
Happy Earth Day from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Omicron Mu Omega Chapter!
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