What We Do
The Rock Creek Learning Garden is an educational garden promoting interdisciplinary academic achievement, leadership development, and sustainable food systems through experiential education and lifelong learning opportunities. A curricular tool integrated into many academic disciplines on campus, the Garden serves as a living classroom for many classes. With 3.6 acres, a wide variety of plants, growing techniques, soil systems, and produce, we are host to a variety of activities, including classes, events, field trips, and research. The garden is a vital hub for health, wellness, and a connection to our environment.
Farm Stand
Portlandia FarmStandia is the Garden’s seasonal farmstand featuring produce sustainably grown in the Rock Creek Learning Garden. The farmstand is open weekly beginning with Earth Week in April and running through the campus Harvest Festival in October.
During the pandemic, Portlandia FarmStandia is on hold and will resume when campuses reopen.
Farmstand products generally include fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and honey (when available).
Food and Harvest
Since the Garden’s inception in 2006, it has generated consistently increasing harvests measured by both weight and by crop variety. In 2016, the Garden harvest exceeded 8,850 pounds of food and included 208 distinct varieties of produce. Crops include carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, grapes, beets, winter squash, apples, popcorn, arugula, kiwi, parsley, oregano, spinach, blueberries, radishes, basil, and more. Produce is harvested from April through October and the majority of the produce is sold at Portlandia FarmStandia or to the College’s Dining Services to be incorporated into the cafeteria menus or used in catering jobs.
Research
We encourage students who would like to do research in our gardens! Get your hands dirty and expand your mind!
