2015 Belk College Day of Service

UNC Charlotte alumna and founder of Sow Much Good, Robin Emmons ’99, believes that access to healthy, chemical-free foods is a right of every person. Sow Much Good (SMG) is a local non-profit dedicated to eliminating socio-economic, racial, and ethnic health disparities through direct access, education, and advocacy. As a nearly 100% volunteer driven organization, volunteer involvement is critical to the execution of the SMG mission of cultivating healthy people, communities, and a more just food system.

On Saturday, April 18, 2015 thirty-one Belk College alumni and students volunteered together during a hands-on workday at Sow Much Good’s Urban Farm on Sunset Road in Charlotte. The micro farm grows affordable, chemical-free produce for people living in urban food deserts or neighborhoods otherwise identified as “food insecure.” The farm features seasonal produce such as corn, peppers, squash, cucumbers, collards, eggplant and more. Alumni and student volunteers helped hoe, till and plant in the fields as well as build a retaining wall and catch the Rhode Island Red chickens during our work day.

“Connecting through hands-on service provides a creative way to network outside of a formal classroom or office setting,” said Kinsey Sheehan, alumni relations manager for the Belk College. “Watching the converstion and connections develop as alumni volunteer alongside students is an invaluable form of engagement. It is an excellent way for alumni to give back to the College at least one day a year and get to meet our students and fellow alumni.” The Day of Service was also planned during UNC Charlotte’s celebration of National Volunteer Week.

Thank you to the thirty-one Belk College alumni and students who volunteered in April. Photos from the 2015 Belk College Day of Service can be viewed here.

Sow Much Good’s Urban Farm is located in Charlotte’s northwest corridor at 3400 Sunset Road, Charlotte, NC 28216. The micro farm grows affordable, chemical-free produce for people living in urban food deserts or neighborhoods otherwise identified as “food insecure.” The farm features seasonal produce such as corn, peppers, squash, cucumbers, collards, eggplant and more. Bee hives are on site to help with pollination of our beautiful, chemical free produce and to provide local, raw honey to our customers. Our hens freely roam the urban farm making available farm fresh eggs happily offered to the community at each market. The Urban Farm is a place where neighborhood residents come together to share in food and fellowship – See more at: http://www.sowmuchgood.org/urban-farm/#sthash.0iCsLzmF.dpuf The micro farm grows affordable, chemical-free produce for people living in urban food deserts or neighborhoods otherwise identified as “food insecure.” The farm features seasonal produce such as corn, peppers, squash, cucumbers, collards, eggplant and more. Bee hives are on site to help with pollination of our beautiful, chemical free produce and to provide local, raw honey to our customers. Our hens freely roam the urban farm making available farm fresh eggs happily offered to the community at each market. The Urban Farm is a place where neighborhood residents come together to share in food and fellowship – See more at: http://www.sowmuchgood.org/urban-farm/#sthash.yRnwCMay.dpThank you for registering to serve with us!