Written by Zaki Numani, Upstream Intern 

The beauty of Minnesota across both urban and rural environments provides a huge draw to the state, especially within the population of college students. Macalester college students host a deep love of nature in features that can be seen across the campus. From the native trees across all areas of campus, the small prairie near the sports field reminding students of the environment that originally existed here, and the mulch gardens with plants free for all students and staff to pick from, students manage to appreciate the beauty of their home in the small ways.

GreenatMac is one of the organizations on campus making it all possible. Managed by three students across a spectrum of majors, GreenatMac makes learning and experiencing gardening possible for students by circumventing barriers like finances, knowledge, and viable space to learn. Students Ellen Mcrae, Katie Frye, and Mikayla Giehler all joined GreenatMac their freshman year in search for a student organization that demonstrates stewardship. By sophomore year, they were managing it. As Ellen, explained to me (Zaki), there’s a lot of groups on campus that are involved in different forms of stewardship, but she wanted to do something hands-on, a sentiment shared by Katie and Mikayla.

GreenatMac is responsible for its own section of the greenhouse, nested at the top of the Macalester science building, as well as one of the mulch gardens on campus. Locally bought seeds are potted in the greenhouse until they’ve grown enough to be transferred to the mulch garden, sandwiched between student housing. Events like garden prep days are seasonally hosted and students can come to learn how to tend to the soil properly before planting. Adopt a Plant days are popular events allowing students to get some greenery into their bedrooms without having to pay for it and allowing them to learn on a small scale. These events as well as other things planned for the near future hope to get more eyes involvement, and access to the student organization.

Taking charge of the GreenatMac was never in any of their plans, but when offered the chance, all of them were happy to give it a shot. None of the three joined GreenatMac with a strong past in gardening, but possess a willingness to learn and to pass that knowledge to others who are also interested. Mikayla describes, “People expect that you have a green thumb. They’ll bring you things (plants) for help and maybe I don’t know how to take care of it yet, and at that moment I have to go ‘I’m gonna figure out how to do this.” Feels like a pretty apt approach for a place like college. As these three seniors come to an end at their time in college, the org is being passed onto new hands once again, so it’ll be interesting to see new efforts that new leadership will bring to the table.

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