The Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden and Sustainable Agriculture Project is a part of the Biosciences Department at Rice University and comprises 2/5 acre, nearly four times larger than previous Rice gardens combined. This teaching garden will be used to share gardening techniques with other nonprofits, community gardens and recreational gardeners.
The garden is designed to serve the entire community, including the Agriculture program, student clubs, garden volunteers and scientists. Garden beds of all shapes and sizes are incorporated to allow for varying abilities such as standing beds for people who prefer not to kneel or bend over and vertical gardens accommodating wheelchair access.
Sun Club donated $77,050 towards the installation of a 20’x20’ greenhouse, rain water collection system, solar power, composting system, apiary for two bee hives, chicken project house, and butterfly garden. These additional elements will further Rice University’s ability to demonstrate the positive impacts gardening has on the ecosystem at large.
