The Bellarmine Farm behind Allen Hall is located on a hill overlooking the floodplain of South Fork of Beargrass Creek in one direction and the Bellarmine arch in the other. The Farm has raised beds, a garden plot, an herb garden, and even a dome greenhouse built by a student during the pandemic! An orchard, pawpaw trees, and a trellis with a cold-weather variety of kiwi fruit enclose the space, and an outdoor classroom can be created from the wooden benches under the tree. The space is a serene getaway right on campus and makes for a peaceful shady lunch spot. The Farm will also be the site of a new pollinator garden and a nearby apiary.
The Farm is operated by the Department of Environmental Studies with assistance from Facilities. As we work to rehabilitate the gardens and orchards, the space will be used for classes, gardening work days, and other outdoor distanced get-togethers. Stay tuned for more information on these events – students, staff, and faculty are welcome! No prior experience is required. Note that the area is not yet very accessible to people with limited mobility. Accessibility is important to us, and we are working to make the space more inclusive beyond the current opportunities available on the orchard side at the base of the hill.
If you are interested in helping, gardening, utilizing the outdoor space, or you are a current gardener in the space, please complete this survey so that we can keep you updated and coordinate our efforts: https://forms.office.com/r/v4XD69JHWb.
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