The Grow Lab is a campus garden that serves as a living laboratory to promote experiential and service–based learning opportunities. The Grow Lab demonstrates ecological food production methods and encourages community engagement.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision
We envision a garden where UT students, faculty, staff, and Knoxville citizens participate in hands-on learning, engage in meaningful service, conduct research, and cultivate community. The Grow Lab will demonstrate ecological food production methods, address local food insecurity, contribute to a sense of place, and encourage interdisciplinary partnerships. At the Grow Lab, half of the plots will be designated for specific academic courses, research, and university groups. Staff and volunteers will maintain the remaining plots and donate produce to hunger-alleviating causes, including the on-campus food pantry.
Mission
First and foremost, the Grow Lab supports the mission of the University of Tennessee to embody “the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement”. As a living laboratory, the Grow Lab provides a space to teach, do research, and engage in practical, hands-on learning. As a nexus for community, the garden encourages outreach and engagement with the surrounding community and addresses local food insecurity.
Where is the Grow Lab?
The Grow Lab is located at 2019 Terrace Avenue (between 21st Street and Montcastle Street). Check us out on Facebook, look at our calendar of events, or email us to schedule a time to visit.
Get Involved!
Volunteer
For the Fall 2024 semester, we will be holding Garden Workdays from 3pm-5pm every other Wednesday starting on 9/4. Volunteers will receive a brief tour of the garden and be able to assist with a wide range of activities, including seeding, harvesting, pruning, tending to crops, etc. Volunteering with the Grow Lab is a great way to grow your knowledge about food production and to connect with where your food comes from!
Pollinator Slope Workdays will be held every Tuesday/Thursday from 4-6 PM. These volunteer shifts focus on educating students about vegetation management by removing invasive species and restoring the native seed bank to provide food and habitat for our pollinators–without which, agriculture would be impossible!
No green thumb required, but we DO require volunteers to wear closed toes shoes and to bring their own water bottle for safety purposes. We also ask that volunteers wear attire that is weather-appropriate and that they do not mind getting dirty.
Sign up here to volunteer with us!
Host a Workshop
We foster a variety of learning opportunities at the Grow Lab and always welcome workshops! If you are interested in hosting a workshop OR have a suggestion on a workshop you would like to see in the future, reach out to Samantha Daulton, Grow Lab Coordinator at UT Recycling, by emailing sdaulto2@utk.edu.
Reserve a Course Plot
As a living laboratory, the Grow Lab has garden beds available for students, staff, faculty, and organizations/clubs! If you v are interested, reach out to Samantha Daulton, the Grow Lab Coordinator with UT Recycling, by emailing sdaulto2@utk.edu for more information!
Class Presentations
The Grow Lab is always seeking to expand our presence on campus! We can provide a 10-15 presentation, tailored to be specific to your course, for your students to learn more about the Grow Lab’s goals with our garden and Pollinator Slope, as well as our zero-waste mission of providing experiential education and addressing food insecurity on campus.
Contact sdaulto2@utk.edu to coordinate a time that works best for your class.