The final Friday of classes this spring features an opportunity for members of the campus community to enjoy strawberry shortcake, ice cream and other light refreshments at the Elon Community Garden.
Hosted by the Department of Environmental Studies and the Center for Environmental Studies, and featuring help from the Elon Academy and Elon Hillel, the May 9 festival runs from 1-5:30 p.m. Light refreshments begin at 1 p.m. with more extensive offerings like strawberry shortcake, ice cream and strawberry/kale smoothies planned for 3 p.m.
Guests may purchase garden-raised heirloom plants and herbs such as basil, peppers and tomatoes. Tomato varieties include Cherokee Purple, Matts Wild Cherry, Berkeley Tie Dye and Purple Bumblebee. Among the herb selections are Moorish Basil, which originated in Spain and North Africa; limited quantities of the rare Persian Blue Basil; and a Turkish Basil with a spicy aroma.
Pepper plants also are for sale, and the class has available a limited number of zinnias and marigolds in Elon University colors. Proceeds from all plant sales will be reinvested in the community garden.
Organizers plan to feature a “photo booth” similar to one that debuted in October at a pumpkin festival organized by the same environmental studies class. Course instructor Michael Strickland teaches his students home-scale gardening and food production using the garden adjacent to the Sklut Hillel Center.
“Students have been working diligently, and we have a variety of interesting heirloom plants for sale,” Strickland said. “As always, we will have them potted in plantable pots, made of composted cow manure, that are ready to go right in the ground, and they are living in our proprietary blend of organic nutrients and site-made Elon compost.”
Funding for the strawberry festival was made possible by the SGA Fun Fund and a diversity grant from Elon University’s Multicultural Center.
For more information, contact Strickland at mstrickl@elon.edu or (336) 278-5625.