An Interview with Dr. Jackie Ehlert

What inspired you to make the edible garden?

Long before our arrival atRamapo College, Julia Child inspired me through her support of the COPIA’s edible garden in Napa, California. At that time edible gardens were rare.  As a fellow member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, I felt an edible garden would be the ideal venue to teach students and our community about the connection between healthful eating, deliciously fresh food, and the environment.  Thus, when my husband Peter Mercer and I came to New Jersey in 2005, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to start a similar edible garden at Ramapo College.

(For more information please visit www.ramapo.edu/garden/)

What is the most exciting development you’ve experienced with the garden over the years?

Several milestones have been rewarding.  First, every year when we have a notable speaker accept our invitation to share their knowledge at the edible garden founder’s dinner, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  Dr. Joan Gussow, Dr. Marion Nestle and Ellie Krieger are among those who have supported the garden in this way.

A second milestone has been the fantastic support we have received from our founding community.  The edible garden is fully funded by donations from our supporters.  The planting of the garden, the implementation of our bee hives, the delivery of educational programs and presentations at conference have all been possible because of the generous contributions from our friends and founders.

Last and most important is the enthusiasm our students demonstrate in being involved in the edible garden and their motivation to learn about  fresh and nutritious food and their environment.

What are some upcoming programs you will be hosting?

There are two up-coming programs taking place in April.

Sunday, April 26 is the season opener of the edible garden.  We will begin at 11:00 a.m. with an open air yoga session led by “Kula for Karma” and followed by a “mindful food moment” prior to cleaning and planting the garden for the 2015 season.  To sign up to participate in one or all the events, please e-mail jehlert@ramapo.edu.

Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m., Karen Page author of the Vegetarian Flavor Bible will be speaking about her book during dinner at the Havemeyer House.  The event is free to all founders.  Anyone wishing to become a founder may make a tax deductible donation of $250 for a brick that will be inscribed with their name and placed in the garden.  As a founder, you will be invited to all edible garden events and will receive all the books featured as well as honey harvested from the Havemeyer House bee hives.

What is your favorite aspect of working on the edible garden?

My favorite aspect of having an edible garden is my ability to motivate students to eat more healthfully and inspiring them to grow their food and harvest their own honey.

What are your goals going forward?

Last summer I hired Ramapo College senior student – Nicole Ramirez.  She works as a part-time nutrition ambassador for the edible garden and is also pursuing a graduate degree in nutrition.  I hope to be able to hire more Ramapo College students who will in turn motivate others to eat healthfully by growing their own food.

To get involved please visit the Edible Garden Web site or contact Dr. Jackie Ehlert.