Communiversity Gardens
Created with goals to end food insecurity, promote sustainability, and educate - the community vegetable garden shown above was established in the spring of 2014. Located on NIU’s main campus, on the east side of Anderson Hall, the garden is one of many sites that form the DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG).
The appropriately named “Communiversity Gardens” thrive with the care and oversight of a strong volunteer network of university students, faculty, staff, and community members.
There are several purposes of the gardens:
- Improve agricultural literacy by increasing access to education about sustainable farming practices and the importance of local food production
- Help alleviate struggles associated with food deserts in our community
- Encourage environmental awareness and ecologically-minded lifestyles
- Provide opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections
- Create opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education
- Present opportunities to collaborate, find new ideas, give back to the community, and provide access to fresh produce
COVID-19 Gardens Protocols
We are following Illinois, DeKalb County, and NIU guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols
- Fully vaccinated students, faculty, staff, and volunteers are not required to wear masks outdoors when working in the garden. If you are not fully vaccinated, please continue to wear your mask when social distancing of six feet is not possible.
- Hand sanitizer will still be used upon entering and leaving the garden.
- Tools and other high touch surfaces will continue to be cleaned and sanitized before and after use.
- The gardens have returned to full capacity.
- If you are feeling sick at all, stay home!
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
niucg@niu.eduVolunteer Days
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-6 p.m., May 31-August 4
Who Can Harvest?
The produce grown at the Communiversity Gardens is donated to the Huskie Food Pantry. Volunteers are also welcome to harvest produce for themselves once harvest for the pantry is completed.
