Gardens and Produce
We have several locations on campus and plan to install more gardens in the future. Learn more about what we grow — some of which is free for anyone to pick!
No time to pick? Get produce at the Huskie Food Pantry instead.
Free-to-pick Location
Founders Memorial Library Gardens
Anyone may pick ripe fruits and vegetables from the raised beds on the west side of the library (but please do not pick flowers).
Additional Garden Locations
The following garden locations are reserved for research and other projects around campus:
- Stevens Hall Gardens: These raised beds are used by students exploring sustainable food systems and Indigenous cropping methods.
- Aeroponic Tower Garden: Located in 71 North, this garden grows lettuces and herbs in air/mist instead of soil.
- Anderson Market Garden: The produce grown here is purchased by Campus Dining Services or used elsewhere on campus.
Hydroponic Farming Pod (Hydropod)
What looks like a standard shipping container behind Anderson Hall is actually our Hydropod, an innovative vertical gardening system. This controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farm uses electric technologies like LED lighting and a high-efficiency HVAC system to grow crops year-round.
One of several in the Chicago area supported by ComEd and nonprofit research institute EPRI, our hydropod generates data to promote sustainably grown food, supports faculty/student research and provides produce to Campus Dining and the Huskie Food Pantry.
Interactive Map of Gardens
Email: ediblecampus@niu.edu