MEDIA, Pa. — The Penn State Brandywine Campus Garden, led by Garden Manager Emily Dozor, continues to be a growing success as it recently won first place in the Advanced Community Garden category at the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Delaware County’s 34th annual garden contest.
Established in 2014, Brandywine’s garden began as a small honors project but quickly grew into one of the campus' most cherished spaces. About six years after its founding, Brandywine received a grant that allowed the garden to expand into the thriving space it is today, and at its center was Dozor leading the way from the start.
“I studied agroecology as a part of my undergrad and became very passionate about sustainable agriculture,” said Dozor. So, when Brandywine approached her to take on the challenge of designing and maintaining a garden, she said, she knew her experience would make her a great fit for the role. She added, “I was very excited about it because I believe that exposing students to nature is really empowering.”
Now, over a decade later, the space has blossomed into something much greater. Spanning more than 3,600 square feet, the garden functions as its very own ecosystem.
“It is a combination of annual vegetable crops, Pennsylvania native plants and things specifically to help pollinators, butterflies, bees and birds,” said Dozor. The garden has a strong balance of plants, which Dozor said she believes is the reason for its success and nearly perfect score in the competition.
Beyond planting and harvesting, the garden serves as a valuable resource for class instruction. Courses in business, engineering and biology are among the many that have embraced the opportunity to learn outdoors and connect with nature.
The campus garden also hosts lectures from several Master Gardeners who teach students about various aspects of garden maintenance. They cover topics such as plant history, soil health and native plants — all essential knowledge for any gardener.
What makes Brandywine’s garden truly special is its role in supporting Penn State’s sustainability initiatives, according to Dozor. Her mission is to continue further development of the garden with an emphasis on food security, climate action, biodiversity, organic gardening, water conservation and soil enrichment.
This combination is what sets Brandywine's garden apart, ultimately leading Dozor and her team to win first place in the competition. “What we are doing is a great model for what a sustainable garden should be,” said Dozor.
She said the key distinction of Brandywine's garden is “the amount of biodiversity, native plants, pollinator friendly plants and companion plants mixed in with the annual vegetables.”
When asked what inspires her to continue managing the campus garden, Dozor said, “I want to support students in connecting with nature for their mental health and empower them to grow some of their own food.”
She added, “It is most rewarding to help students feel inspired and connected with nature.”
Dozor said her goals for the future include securing more funding to expand the garden, bringing in more interns, starting additional garden-focused programs and hosting more events, all while seeking continued support from the campus community.