University of Texas breaks ground on campus garden

July 22—UT broke ground on a new food garden this month that will bring more homegrown food to campus plates this fall, an increasingly common practice at Texas institutions looking for sustainable practices during the state’s three-year drought.

Spanning several hundred feet along Brackenridge Hall on 21st Street, the Jester South Garden will produce fruits and vegetables to be served at UT residence halls. The garden will be self-sustaining, supported by rainwater collection and a water pump powered by solar energy. Officials are currently preparing land to plant food in the garden, which could be completed as early as September.

UT officials said although growing their own food comes with cost and weather challenges, the new garden will support various food programs on campus and reduce the University’s dependence on outside providers, which are often plagued by high demand.