Campus Garden

Since its founding in 2012, the Campus Garden has grown into one of the most active organizations on campus — home to ecological research, internships, and community events and celebrations.  

ARTICLE I – NAME  

The name of this club shall be the Washington College Campus Garden, or simply the Campus Garden. 

ARTICLE II – MISSION 

Students who work in the Campus Garden are cultivating an edible forest garden by following permaculture design principles. Permaculture enables us to regenerate the land to a functioning ecosystem that also meets human needs. We practice observing the patterns of nature, including how various forms of energy move through our world, so we can work with those forces rather than against them. We also collaborate with the Food Initiative to experiment with modes of food production to maximize nutrient density and address regional food insecurity. The outpost at the River and Field Campus falls under the jurisdiction of the Campus Garden as well, where we are creating a food forest to provide wildlife habitat, edible food sources, and educational opportunities. 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP  

Section 1.  

Members can join at any time in the year. In order to have voting rights, members must be in the club’s GroupMe. Members are encouraged to attend as many workdays, workshops, or events as they are interested in, though it is not required. It is expected and required that all members recognize the Campus Garden as a safe space, and do not discriminate or violate our diversity and inclusion statement. It is also expected that members adhere to the permaculture ethics of earth care, people care, and fair share.  

ARTICLE IV- EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Section 1. 
The officer positions will include those of President, Vice President, Outreach Coordinator, Outpost Manager, Compost Manager, Ethnobotanist, Apiculturist, Pond Coordinator, and Chicken Chancellor. One person can fill multiple roles, but it is advised that it be no more than two.  

Section 2. 
The president shall: 

• Work with the Campus Garden intern if they are not the intern. 

• Lead weekly workdays to improve and expand the Campus Garden. 
• Organize and lead events open to all campus members. 
• Work closely with the club adviser to develop and implement projects. 
• Assist with the development of the club budget. 
• Track club purchases and finances throughout each semester. 

• Meet with the Financial Controller as needed to make discretionary requests and discuss other budgetary matters. 

Section 3. 
The vice president shall: 

• Assist the president with project and event design and implementation. 
• Lead workdays in absence of the president. 

• Assist with the development of the club budget. 

Section 4. 
The outpost manager shall: 

• Direct field activities at the River and Field Campus outpost in conjunction with the president. 
• Ensure that both sites are provisioned with appropriately maintained tools. 

• Maximize forest food production. 

Section 5. 
The ethnobotanist shall: 

• Study the functions of the plants living in the Campus Garden. 
• Update and expand the online database of Campus Garden Plants. 

• Advocate for more native and permaculture plants to be included in the college campus landscape.  

Section 6. 
The compost manager shall: 

• Coordinate campus composting efforts and facilitate production at the garden. 
• Direct programming related to organic waste awareness and literacy in the Washington College community. 

• Communicate with Compost Team and be the main connection between the Campus Garden Club and the Compost Team.  

Section 7. 
The apiculturist shall: 

• Help coordinate beekeeping at the RAFC outpost and the Campus Garden. 
• Maintain Bee Campus USA certification. 

• Work with the Center for Environment and Society on pollinator events. 

Section 8. 
The outreach coordinator shall: 

• Connect garden programming with educational opportunities, including local schools and the Farmers’ Market. 
• Guide the development of community gardens. 

• Make connections with other clubs and explore ways to collaborate with other college organizations.  

Section 9. 
The pond coordinator shall: 

• Observe and assess the health of the pond 
• Plan and advocate for the maintenance of the pond 

• Lead pond maintenance work days and oversee pond projects 

Section 10.  
The chicken chancellor shall: 

• Lead activities and workshops concerning the chickens 
• Organize the chicken council to ensure the chickens’ basic needs are met.  

• Ensure that thorough once monthly health checks are done on each individual chicken.  
• Voice when chicken supplies are low and make sure that there is always enough food 

Section 11.  
Position appointments will be made each year. Students can volunteer for positions and a vote will be held as needed, usually in March.   

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS 

There shall be a workday in the Campus Garden at least once a week, with more offerings based on the availability of the officers. These may be held in the Campus Garden or the greenhouse, depending on weather conditions. Members are encouraged to attend at least three meetings throughout the semester. 

ARTICLE VI – BYLAW ADMENDMENTS 

These bylaws may be amended at any time to suit the needs of the Campus Garden community. Members are encouraged to read and submit suggestions, which should be taken into account by the executive board. In order to amend articles, all executive members excluding ethnobotanists, apiculturists, pond coordinator, and chicken chancellor, must review the amendments and come to a consensus on the change. Once the change has been agreed upon and made, it must be announced to members, who will then approve the amendments. If there is a concern about the amendment/s, the executive board will have to meet again to address the concern. The amendments will go out to the members again for approval.  

ARTICLE VII – INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY STATEMENTS 

PERMACULTURE ETHICS AND PRINCIPLES 

The Campus Garden strives to adhere to permaculture ethics and principles, which heavily applies to how we treat others and the environment. We encourage members to learn from these principles, whilst acknowledging and recognizing that these ethics and principles were long practiced by indigenous peoples before our current culture and society. To learn more about the specifics of the permaculture ethics and principles, you can visit https://permacultureprinciples.com/permaculture-principles/ . 

NON-DISCRIMINATORY CLAUSE 

 In compliance with Title IX; the Campus Garden Club agrees to adhere to all policies and procedures of the College and all local, state, and federal laws. Members will become acquainted with policies and procedures in the Official Student Handbook and other policies and procedures provided by the College. This organization is a viable, functioning organization, composed of at least six full time undergraduate students and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.