Andrew College professor uses sustainable agriculture background to bring in community garden

CUTHBERT – Nataliya Apanovich joined the Andrew College faculty in August 2018 and teaches courses in the sustainable agriculture program.

As Apanovich got to know the area, she discovered charm and collegiality and then asked herself what part she could play in preserving the integrity of the area.

“I wanted to bring awareness to the advantages of healthy eating and to develop a collaboration between the community and Andrew College,” Apanovich said. “To help with this, I chose to be a grower and now grow vegetables in Andrew’s Community Garden.”

College officials said the community garden currently contains eight raised beds planted with cold-tolerant vegetables and a couple of herbs. The garden relies entirely on student, faculty and community volunteers to maintain the garden by weeding, watering, transplanting and mulching.

Working in the garden involves comradery, work and education.

“There is no better way for parents to teach their young children about how vegetables grow and where they come from than working together in a garden,”Apanovich said. “They can also learn how easy it is to produce food that is good for the body and mind. But most importantly, people learn that having access to healthy, nutritious and ethically produced food is a basic human right, and that we can create that right by creating our own gardens.

“Some of my students completed their end-of-semester volunteer projects by working in the garden. They all learned something. Some were not aware how much water the plants needed in late summer/early fall. Others learned the importance of mulching the soil. And still others learned the right way to harvest leafy greens. It is so rewarding to see students learn about the world through direct contact with nature.

“My vision for the garden is for it to become part of our community. I hope that area residents will continue expressing their interest in food production and healthy eating by volunteering in the garden. The garden is open to everyone every day and is located across from Old Main on College Street. I am also searching for creative ways to deliver our produce to the community. Currently, we have an abundance of lettuce, kale, spinach and dill that are ready to be picked. As the garden grows and improves, so does our community. So let’s garden.”

Apanovich earned her doctorate in sustainable agriculture and biorenewable resources and technology from Iowa State University. She holds a master’s degree in environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Carolina.

Outside of work, she enjoys drawing with charcoal, playing piano, hiking, biking and traveling.