Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory boasts large garden and orchard collections that are used for research, student instruction, and community outreach. Spaces such as the Garden of Hope and Ross Heart Hospital Community Garden help create opportunities for education within our communities by providing classes throughout the year for cancer survivors and heart patients. These classes help improve the health and wellness of community members by sharing the importance of eating healthy, nutritious foods.
Furthermore, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on instruction by planting, maintaining, and harvesting fruits and vegetables in the 4-acre student farm. Not only does this provide learning opportunities for students, but the farm has also partnered with Buckeye Food Alliance in the past to donate fresh produce to Buckeyes in need, a way to help combat food insecurity in our Ohio State community. The student farm also has volunteer opportunities for those looking to get involved - for more information, visit their Facebook page at Ohio State Student Farm.
Waterman Lab also values its strong partnership with the Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) in CFAES. HCS utilizes the Turfgrass Facility, Agronomoic Plots, CEARC, and Horticulture and Specialty Crops Plots for research and teaching. With numerous turfgrass research projects, research in controlled environment agriculture, and more outside, impactful work is being done at Waterman. Furthermore, classes like Introduction to Agronomy and Sustainable Agriculture Practical Experience provide undergraduate students the opportunity for hands-on learning at Waterman.