HFU campus garden blooming

Student garden projects - for us, and for a healthy planet

Studying at Furtwangen University (HFU) also means digging a hole while standing in the mud, all while discussing the different types of soil. The campus garden next to the O Building at HFU is a hive of activity, as the new fruit tree is scheduled to be delivered this afternoon.

Two student projects from the Applied Health Sciences (AGW) programme are also helping to ensure that the garden blooms again in the spring. For their study project “Permaculture Learning Space,” Marius Basler, Franziska Bayer, Tim Heise, Andreza Oliveira de Faria, and Christopher Tereschenko are working on expanding the campus garden to include a regional permaculture system. “We have researched plants that can survive the whole year in Furtwangen. We also made sure that the plants complement each other and, for example, don’t all require the same nutrients,” explains Basler. The group will also provide information on permaculture, ecological cycles and other topics via newly designed display boards in the garden. In addition to herbs like thyme, sage and rosemary, the garden will feature wild strawberries, carrots, celery, an apple tree, and a sour cherry tree.

The second project group from AGW is adding a very special plant to the selection − lady’s mantle. In their research project, Hannah Dinter, Laura Italiano, Anna-Elisa Rödelberger, and Susanne Roth are comparing various methods for managing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Between 20 and 40 percent of all women are affected by it and experience abdominal pain, breast tenderness and mood swings before their period. “We’re evaluating testimonials on the effects of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic methods for pain relief,” reports Italiano. “We also want to raise awareness of the issue with our project,” adds Rödelberger. To that end, the project group will plant lady’s mantle in the campus garden. “The plant is a great ambassador. Not only does it have ‘woman’ in its name, but it has also been used for centuries in women’s medicine to treat ailments. You can use it to make tea or oil, for example. It’s also bee-friendly and can thrive in challenging climates,” explains Dinter. A small sign identifying the plant is also planned for the campus garden.

“We want to offer all students an opportunity to get involved in the campus garden, which is why Marius and I founded the Campus Garden Committee,” explains Tereschenko. Sports and recreation committees complement everyday student life at HFU. “We’ll continue to plant and tend to the garden with anyone interested, and we look forward to every conversation that arises,” summarises Basler.

The student projects are supervised by HFU Professor Dr. Nicole Weydmann and Cornelia Bohnet. For all topics related to gardening, the students receive support from Zoe Schwer of Schwer Garten- und Landschaftsbau Schönwald.

With its “Health & Technologies” focus, HFU places special emphasis on embedding an awareness of nature and health into everyday student life. The Planetary Health specialisation was established specifically for this purpose within the AGW programme. “Planetary Health directly links the health of the planet to human health; without a healthy planet, the people living on it cannot be healthy either. Our students learn about the connections between environmental changes and their impact on health and receive recommendations for action. We support our students in developing a sound understanding of the interactions between the environment and health and in deriving responsible courses of action from this,” explains Weydmann, who teaches the module at HFU. On Tuesday, 30 June, visitors can learn more about Planetary Health at “Health Day” and the various project groups will present their findings.

Meanwhile, in the campus garden, the soil around the new, small sour cherry tree is being packed down. Marius Basler is pleased, “There’s always something to do in the garden, so any help is very welcome”.