My name is Taryn Freilinger. I am a student at Mount Mercy University and graduated in May with a Bachelor’s of Biology and a Bachelor’s of Outdoor Conservation. I am currently interning at Prairiewoods, helping create the Garden of Eat’n in order to fulfill requirements for my Outdoor Conservation degree. When I heard of this opportunity I was excited at the possibility to be a part of it. The garden is not only a place for beauty but also a place for learning and sustainability. Also it offers food for both humans and animals, creating an ecofriendly habitat. There are various aspects to the garden at Prairiewoods. These include a healing garden, mushroom classroom, veggies and herbs, and more. To go along with the beautiful space, Prairiewoods hopes to utilize the garden walk to help teach others the importance of sustainability and how they can implement similar aspects into their own gardens.
My journey started in October. My first day, I spent two hours shoveling rock. You would be safe in guessing I had a sore back the next day! In the weeks that followed I began removing and transplanting some plants that were a part of the original landscape. I removed wheel barrows and wheel barrows of lilies! I began wondering if the lilies were ever going to end!? Once we had gotten all the plants that needed to be removed from the area, cardboard was put down and covered with a thick layer of mulch. This “sheet mulching” inhibits the growth of weeds (plants we don’t want in this area). Eventually the cardboard and mulch break down, adding nutrients to the soil. We got this done just in time before the cold weather was too bad.
This winter, I researched information that was used to create an educational sign in the Center about the new Garden of Eat’n project. To keep myself busy and learning through the winter, I also found informational videos to watch and learn from. The videos that I have watched so far include Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective and Forks over Knives, two documentary films. I also watched numerous YouTube videos, including New Earth Living; Grow Your Own Food, Permaculture Design and Simplicity; and Why I Live a Zero Waste Life. Each video offered useful information. The two films were informational and eye opening. They provided information that could be life changing. Inhabit went through various homes around the United States and talked to people about how they utilize permaculture. There were back yards and even entire farms! Forks over Knives discussed the effects of animal-product foods versus plant-based or whole-food diets. There were many interesting facts provided in the film. The videos were more informational with the exception of the Zero Waste Life. Lauren Singer shared how and why she lives a zero waste life and it is truly amazing. I would recommend watching all of these videos/films.
As spring hit, I began working outside again. I worked a full day on Wednesdays and a half day in the mornings on Friday. I helped with whatever needed to be done to create this wonderful edible garden walk. So if you have any free time don’t be afraid to stop on out and lend a hand!
—Taryn Freilinger, Prairiewoods intern (Oct. 2016–June 2017)
Posted July 4, 2017