Huntington Times

Students from Marshall University's Department of Anthropology and Sociology have completed a community garden project in War, West Virginia. This initiative was part of the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative program, which supports addressing community needs in at-risk areas.

Undergraduate and graduate students from Dr. Kristi McLeod’s Self and Society class visited War three times during the semester for the "Harvesting Heritage: Community Garden of War" project. Their activities included building a potting shed, researching community participation barriers, and engaging with local residents by making apple butter. They also presented their findings and recommendations to assist future gardening efforts.

The garden acts as a communal space that promotes mental health through strengthened bonds and provides access to healthy foods. "The community members were not only beneficiaries of the project but were also mentors by sharing their community history and traditions with Marshall students," said McLeod, chair and professor of sociology.

Students gained practical experience in community development, fostering social responsibility while learning about Appalachian culture. Student Keenan Janicker noted, “It was good to be able to apply some of my basic technical skills for a good purpose — very rewarding.”

For more information about Marshall’s sociology and anthropology program, visit www.marshall.edu/dosa.