By: Reiley Bartel, Online Editor
Spring is in the air, and Newman’s Gardening Club is blooming with plans for this semester.
The Gardening Club meets once a month to plant, learn and grow in horticulture, said vice president Kayla Kindsvater, a junior.
“Our purpose is to give students the opportunity to reconnect with nature by providing them the chance to explore different aspects of horticulture,” she said. “We are an eco-friendly club and want to establish a stronger sense of unity among members of the club, environment and the community while also conserving the beauty of nature.”
The club’s next meeting will be on April 6, though organizers have not yet settled on a time or place. Usually, meetings are in the basement of Sacred Heart Hall, but when the weather is nicer, they’re held outside. Outside meetings are where students can expect to plant, harvest from the garden bed in front of Mabee Dining Hall, and participate in other fun activities. It was founded in 2016 for students who were interested in learning about gardening and doing so on campus.
Gardening club comes with a lot of new experiences and leadership opportunities, Kindsvater said.
“When I moved to Wichita as a freshman, I started becoming interested in plants and thought it would be cool to join the Gardening Club,” she said. “I wanted to learn more about plants and planting, so this club would be a great start. I also wanted to meet new people and become a member, and eventually being on the executive board definitely gave me that opportunity.”
Gardening Club is not just about learning about plants, she said. It also provides a fun way to discover your green thumb.
“My favorite part of the club is when the weather starts getting warmer and we go outside to plant seeds or pick produce. It’s always nice to take a break and relax while getting some sunshine and fresh air,” Kindsvater said.
Freshman Travia Smith agreed that gardening is a relaxing experience.
“Gardening is therapeutic,” she said. “Something about watching the growth of your plant is so relaxing, and it brings forth self reflection: There is always more room to grow.”
Those interested in joining the club can contact any member to be added to the club GroupMe or they can show up to a meeting. Meeting times and places are usually posted around campus, but students also can find times and dates on GroupMe as well as on the club’s Instagram.
“We are always happy to have new members participate at any time of the year,” Kindsvater said.
PHOTO: Courtesy Photo, University Relations
