I’m tired of landscape architects, designers, nurserymen and “flower gardeners” rolling their eyes whenever the topic of edible landscaping comes up. Many of these people dismiss it as the latest trendy fad; an insignificant form of gardening practiced by neophytes or old hippies; a style of garden that lacks true form, structure, aesthetics or meaning; and one that really isn’t worth considering except to chuckle. Professionals trained in design, particularly, seem to believe that building a garden incorporating edible plants as integral devices for giving meaning, structure and use to a garden design, is less noble and worthy than designing a garden of architectural devices: hardscape elements, built structures, symmetry, axiality, and plant materials that serve form – usually formal
Students at FSC—and, particularly in the Urban Horticulture and Design Department—have always dedicated themselves to community service. Now it’s clear that their commitment is, well, growing.
A contingent of 17 students from the department gathered together to work on a literally get-your-hands-dirty project—helping to create a wildlife habitat at Howitt Middle School in the Village of Farmingdale. The concept was developed by associate professor Michael Veracka, who wanted his students to benefit from a robust applied learning experience. Professor Veracka had a vision. He wanted to create a project that would benefit his students with a robust applied learning experience.

At Farmingdale, applied learning—real-world, hands-on experience that takes place outside the classroom—has become an essential element of the education