Course Prefix, Number: IDH 2930

Course Title Rooted in Place:

JGHC Community Garden
CRN, Section 054, 0-Credit Hours
50 hours community service

Judy Genshaft Honors College, Honors LLC

Rooted in Place: JGHC Community Garden Service-Learning Course

Semester: Spring 2023

Class Meeting Days: Monday/Wednesday
Class Meeting Time: 9:30-10:45am
Class Meeting Location: USF Botanical Gardens
Instructor of Record: Andrew Hargrove
Email: awhargrove@usf.edu
Instructor: Kobe Phillips
Phone Number: 315-391-9549
Email: Kobephillips@usf.edu

I. Welcome!
“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden
is to feed not just the body, but the soul.” -Alfred Austin

The great challenge of our time is to build and nurture sustainable communities.
Gardening is an act of compassion – for oneself, their community members, and
ecological partners. Planting and growing food and flowers can promote the health and
wellbeing of all our community members – whether in the JGHC, USF, or our surrounding
areas.
This spring, I welcome you to build our JGHC community garden. You will learn valuable
skills you can take with you beyond the classroom, including how to reduce the impact of
food deserts through community gardening, improve air and soil quality, increase
biodiversity of plants and animals, reduce waste through composting, increase physical
activity through gardening maintenance, improve mental health and promote relaxation,
and promote community wellness through education. In this experiential learning class,
you can gain the tools to create a better world for yourself and others through
establishing the community garden.

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 Diversity and Inclusion
Community gardening provides opportunities to engage with people from diverse
backgrounds and develop empathy for multiple perspectives. I believe these opportunities
are much more successful in diverse learning spaces. As such, this class will value and
respect perspectives from all backgrounds including but not limited to: gender, sexuality,
disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, culture, religion, and political beliefs.
I will make every effort to ensure that an inclusive environment exists for all students. As
part of this effort to be inclusive, our class will honor everyone’s personal pronouns and
chosen name. If you have concerns or suggestions for improving the classroom climate,
please do not hesitate to speak with me or to contact Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal
Opportunity at 813-974-4373.

This course will focus on the following NACE1 competencies, which will help prepare you
for career readiness:
 Critical thinking/problem solving
 Oral/written communications
 Teamwork/collaboration
 Leadership
 Professionalism/Work ethic

II. University Course Description

This experiential learning course explores current knowledge, issues, and innovation in
community gardening, including food sovereignty, community health, ecology, and
community service and education. Participants in this course may earn 50 hours of
community service through construction of a community garden located in the USF
Botanical Gardens.

III. Course Prerequisites

There are no pre-reqs for this course, and you do not have to have prior gardening
experience.

IV. Course Purpose

Why community gardens, and why now?

In the Judy Genshaft Honors College, we believe that the full potential of education is
realized when classroom learning is paired with experiential learning, often defined as

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https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined/

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 "the process of learning through experience, and more specifically learning through
reflection on doing." The ability for students to participate in a diverse offering of this
type of education is one of the factors that makes our college special. Service is at the
heart of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Care and concern for others motivates the
administration, faculty, and staff of the College, but we also seek to model for students
how intellectually and professionally rewarding service can be. By participating in building
our community garden, you have the potential to create a tight-knit community based on
shared values: to contribute to your communities through service, leadership, and global
citizenship.

The U.N. Sustainability Goals2 serve as a guiding framework for this service-learning
course. Together, we’ll learn how community gardening can help us achieve “peace and
prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”!

V. How to Succeed in this Course

Experiential learning courses rely on student participation. Keep in mind that our goals are
to learn, collaborate, and do.
The readings I have scheduled are meant to contextualize the work we are doing in the
garden by connecting to important concepts that will aid in your personal and
professional development. They are purposely brief (less than 30 minutes) to ensure
balance with your other coursework. Successful students in this class complete all
readings BEFORE coming to class. Our in-class time is designed to further and deepen the
knowledge, concepts, and skills from the readings – not just repeat the information.
1. This one-page handout details what the study skills behaviors of top students look
like: http://bit.ly/successfulstudentbehaviors
2. This 18-page PDF provides 101 individual tips for effective study skills and note-
taking: http://bit.ly/studyskillstips
If new to Canvas, read this guide

VI. Course Objectives

Experiential learning courses offer direct, authentic experiences and focused reflection on
relevant issues. Students are empowered to actively engage in the learning process, feel
connected to their colleagues and instructor, and apply the knowledge and skills they
learn to the wider world. In this course, you will
 Increase knowledge of the Florida growing cycle and how community gardening
can contribute to repairing food-, climate-, social-, and ecosystems.
 Develop skills necessary to grow vegetables, herbs, and pollinator gardens.
 Clarify values about community relationships through service and community
education.

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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace
and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an
urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other
deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while
tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

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  Develop your capacity to contribute to community by designing, establishing, and
teaching about community gardens.

VII. Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
a. Collaborate to envision, plan, and construct a garden site.
b. Identify and apply basic gardening skills to produce vegetables, herbs, and flowers
appropriate to Florida growing cycles.
c. Analyze and respond to the relationship between place and culture.
d. Identify community needs and develop proposals for implementing food or ecology-
related service projects in a chosen community.
e. Plan, create, and host a public-facing educational workshop.

VIII. Required Texts and/or Readings and Course Materials

 Notebook and writing implement; comfortable close-toed shoes.
 All other materials will be provided, including brief readings listed below, gardening
tools, seedlings, soil, and water.
Important websites to bookmark:
UF/IFAS Extension site: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/
Fleet farming guide to growing: https://fleetfarming.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Fleet-
Farming-Gardening-Guide-3.pdf
Readings: Provided as PDFs or links in Canvas under weekly modules.

IX. Supplementary Materials - Encouraged

 Gardening hat/sunglasses
 Sunscreen
 Bug spray
 Kneeling pad
 Gardening Gloves

X. Grading Scale
This course is taken as pass/fail only (S/U grade on transcript).

XI. Grade Categories and Weights

Assessments are based closely on real-world experiences. I encourage you to think
through the ways practicing participation, analysis, collaboration, reflection, and teaching
can be identified as unique skills and values you are honing through experiential learning.

Assessment Percent of Final Grade

Attendance & Participation 40%
Reflection Journals 25%
Readings and Assignments 30%
Instructor Discretion 5%

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XII. Assignments
All assignments are based on the assessment scale, resulting in an S/U grade at the
end of the semester. Students are required to complete and sign the service-learning
contract on the first day of class.

Participation (40%)
Due date: Daily, in class
Includes in-class activities not limited to active listening, note-taking, collaborating,
and planting, watering, and harvesting plants.

Reflection Journal (25%)

Due Date: Weekly on Sundays
Reflections based on prompts related to the unit topic. Due in Canvas on Sunday
nights by 11:59 p.m. after each week in class. (2 points each)

In-class reading responses (30%)

Due Date: Before Class
Short reading selections based on weekly topics that apply to concepts in community
gardening. These may include literature, poetry, skills-building web resources, non-
fiction articles, or visual media. Students will choose a section of the reading to lead a
class discussion at the beginning of class on a rotating basis. Assigned readings/videos
will not take longer than 30 minutes to complete for homework.
Complete/Incomplete grades.

Instructor Discretion (5%)

XIII. Grade Dissemination

You can access your scores at any time using "Grades" in Canvas. I will make
comments on reflection journals regularly. A successful grade in the course
to receive your community service hours is an 85%.

XIV. Integration of This Course into Your Academic Experience

The Judy Genshaft Honors College requires 50 hours of community service over the
course of your undergraduate academic career. Once this course is complete, you may
submit the following form and Canvas course to be eligible for your Community Service
scholarship in the amount of $600: https://www.usf.edu/honors/current-
students/community-service.aspx

XV. Standard University Policies

Policies about disability access, religious observances, academic grievances, academic

integrity and misconduct, academic continuity, food insecurity, and sexual harassment are
governed by a central set of policies that apply to all classes at USF. These may be
accessed at: https://www.usf.edu/provost/faculty/core-syllabus-policy-statements.aspx
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XVI. Covid-19 Procedures

In the event we experience a new wave of COVID-19: All students must comply with
university policies and posted signs regarding COVID-19 mitigation measures, including
wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing during in-person classes. Failure
to do so may result in dismissal from class, referral to the Office of Student Conduct and
Ethical Development, and possible removal from campus.

XVII. Course Policies: Grades

Late Work Policy:

Assignments will not be accepted if overdue by more than seven days. Make-up
assignments for in-class activities will be developed by me and the student in
according to the needs of the garden at that time

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 Extra Credit Policy:
To be determined on a case-by-case basis and with appropriate documentation.

Grades of "Incomplete":
The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this
course. An “I” grade may be awarded to a student only when a small portion of the
student’s work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning a passing
grade. The time limit for removing the “I” is to be set by the instructor of the course.
For undergraduate students, this time limit may not exceed two academic semesters,
whether or not the student is in residence, and/or graduation, whichever comes first.
For graduate students, this time limit may not exceed one academic semester. “I”
grades not removed by the end of the time limit will be changed to “IF” or “IU,”
whichever is appropriate.

Group Work Policy: Everyone must take part in a group project to produce the
educational workshop for the Fall Botanical Gardens Festival. All members of a group will
receive the same score; that is, the project is assessed and everyone receives this score.
We will create a Team Charter to hold us all accountable for the work we will contribute
to the event. The Team Charter can be found in Canvas.

XVIII.Course Policies: Technology and Media

Email: please email me any questions, concerns, or issues during the course at
Kobephillips@usf.edu. Please expect a max of 72-hours for responses per University
policy.

Canvas: This course will be offered via USF's learning management system (LMS), Canvas.
You will be able to find a course schedule, grades, discussion posts, and reading materials
by logging in to Canvas with your USF NET ID. If you need help learning how to perform
various tasks related to this course or other courses being offered in Canvas, please view
the following videos or consult the Canvas help guides. You may also contact USF's IT
department at (813) 974-1222 or help@usf.edu.

TEAMS Recordings: In some cases (for example, during a major rainstorm), software will
be used to record live class lectures and discussions. As a student in this class, your
participation in live class discussions will be recorded. These recordings will be made
available only to students enrolled in the class, to assist those who cannot attend the live
session or to serve as a resource for those who would like to review content that was
presented. Students who prefer to participate via audio only will be allowed to disable
their video camera so only audio will be captured. Please discuss this option with your
instructor.

WhatsApp, GroupMe, Discord, and Student-to-Student Communication:

While students may use digital communication tools (WhatsApp, GroupMe, etc.) to
communicate with fellow students, it is important to remember that academic

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 integrity policies still apply in these environments. Inappropriate comments and/or
bullying will not be accepted and will result in removal from the course.

Laptop Usage: Laptops are allowed for note-taking, but must be stored in a safe location
away from water, soil, and other materials that may damage them. Please be sure to bring
a protective sleeve and remember that classes will mostly be held outside. Keep this in
mind for inclement weather.

Student Recording: Please refrain from recording live sessions without explicit permission
on that day from me and other students in the course.

Phone Usage: In some cases, we may be using phones for taking pictures or using social
media or for research pertaining to the course goals and objectives. Please refrain from
using phones to surf the internet or to check personal social media accounts, play games,
etc., during class time. Use this time outside in the garden to disconnect from technology
and really engage in being with nature and your fellow colleagues!

Instructor Recording: I will be documenting the garden project and potentially hosting it
on a website. I will ask students individually for a signed contract either allowing or
denying use of their images for promotional and documentary materials. I will *never*
use a student’s work or likeness without express permission.

XIX. Course Policies: Student Expectations

Title IX Policy: Title IX provides federal protections for discrimination based on sex, which
includes discrimination based on pregnancy, sexual harassment, and interpersonal
violence. In an effort to provide support and equal access, USF has designated all faculty
(TA, Adjunct, etc.) as Responsible Employees, who are required to report any disclosures
of sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking. The Title IX
Office makes every effort, when safe to do so, to reach out and provide resources and
accommodations, and to discuss possible options for resolution. Anyone wishing to make
a Title IX report or seeking accommodations may do so online, in person, via phone, or
email to the Title IX Office. For information about Title IX or for a full list of resources
please visit: https://www.usf.edu/title-ix/gethelp/resources.aspx. If you are unsure what
to do, please contact Victim Advocacy – a confidential resource that can review all your
options – at 813-974-5756 or va@admin.usf.edu.

Engagement and Attendance Policy: Your engagement is essential to a productive

academic experience for both you and your classmates. When you’re not in class, our
conversations are diminished by your absence, and it’s much more difficult for you to
benefit from the ideas of your classmates. That said, life happens, and there may be times
you cannot prioritize this class. I will trust you to prioritize in good faith, and in return, I
ask that you are thoughtful of your classmates and realistic about your engagement. If life

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 interferes routinely, this may not be the semester for this course, and I will reach out
when it seems that might be a risk. As an instructor and an advisor, my default is to worry
something has gone awry when you’re not present, so I would appreciate you alerting me
when you won’t be in class. If it helps, you can think of this as preparation for your career
where you often earn sick and personal leave but are expected to let someone know
when you will utilize it.

Professionalism Policy: Per university policy and classroom etiquette; mobile phones,
iPods, etc. must be silenced during all classroom and lab lectures. Those not heeding this
rule will be asked to leave the classroom/lab immediately so as to not disrupt the learning
environment. Please arrive on time for all class meetings. Students who habitually disturb
the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and have been warned may suffer a reduction in
their final class grade.

End of Semester Student Evaluations: All classes at USF make use of an online system for
students to provide feedback to the University regarding the course. These surveys will be
made available at the end of the semester, and the University will notify you by email
when the response window opens. Your participation is highly encouraged and valued.

Food and Drink Policy: Water is encouraged in this course as we will be outside regularly.
Please bring a water bottle each class to stay hydrated. I do not mind if students eat
during the early discussion portion of each class; however, we have a responsibility to the
ecosystem to keep the garden clean. Please discard all trash in an appropriate receptacle
and do not leave any garbage in the Botanical Gardens at any time. Consuming food will
not be allowed during planting and harvesting so we can avoid cross-contamination.

XX. Learning Support and Campus Offices

Tampa Campus

Tutoring Hub
The Tutoring Hub offers free tutoring in several subjects to USF undergraduates.
Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information, email
asctampa@usf.edu

Writing Studio
The Writing Studio is a free resource for USF undergraduate and graduate students. At
the Writing Studio, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you, at any
point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are
recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment,
email writingstudio@usf.edu

Counseling Center

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 The Counseling Center promotes the wellbeing of the campus community by providing
culturally sensitive counseling, consultation, prevention, and training that enhances
student academic and personal success. Contact information is available online.

Center for Victim Advocacy

The Center for Victim Advocacy empowers survivors of crime, violence, or abuse by
promoting the restoration of decision making, by advocating for their rights, and by
offering support and resources. Contact information is available online.

XXI. Important Dates to Remember

Add a short statement that describes that all the dates and assignments are tentative, and
can be changed at the discretion of the professor. Be sure to get the newest dates from
the Registrar: https://www.usf.edu/registrar/calendars/

January 9th, 2023, Spring Classes Begin

January 13th, 2023,
January 16th, 2023,
March 13th-19th, 2023,
March 25th, 2023,
April 22-28th, 2023,
April 28th, 2023,
Spring Add/Drop Deadline
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Spring Break
Last Day to Withdraw
Test Free Week
Last Day of Spring Classes

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Week Monday Wednesday Units

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1 (9th and Syllabus Due Epiphany in the
11th) Beans & Dirt Activity
and discussion of sense
of place!
2 (16th and MLK DAY NO CLASS Planting new plants in
18th) garden & vertical
gardens.
3(23rd and Introduction to Due Civic Ecology
25th) Gardening- What do Chapter 1 the 10
plants need- a review principles discussion.
of soil, water, and What is community?
nutrient requirements
for each plant. -
Garden Map Activity
in Class Unit 1- The Formation of a
Community.
4(30th and In Class Activity- Civic Politics of Community
1st) Ecology Stories. Break Gardens- DUE Paper
down the elements of Tiger Project.
building a community-
what do they need and
how to they grow?
Activity- Planting the
seeds of Thought
(Wildflowers)

5(6th and 8th) Demarcus Food Dhalia Food

Sovereignty and Sovereignty Cooking
Discussion of Food Class
Politics at USF
6(13th and Simple Class- Garden Introduction to
15th) Maintenance, Building Composting, Food
a Composter Waste, and Soil
UF Readings Due

7(20th and Ecology of Pollinators **Special Topics**

22nd) photo activity The Cultures and
Stories of Honey. Unit 2- People, Culture, and
Sticking to Sense of Food
Place!
Mad Honey listening
due!

8(27th and Medical Botany- a Farmers Market

1st) lecture on our plants Discussions and
and their properties Volunteering

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9(6th and 8th) Mind Walk Activity Dog Yoga and Garden
Maintenance

SPRING
BREAK
10(20th and People and Cultures of People and Cultures of
22nd) Food Assignment due Food Assignment due
and Discussion! and Discussion!
Presentations Presentations
11(27th and PLANNING AND Jam-boree Day!
29th) VOLUNTEERING AT Unit 3- Sustainability and the
THE EVENT Future
12(3rd and What is Sustainability? ***Urban Ecology***
5th) Problem solving our Lecture, what does it
biggest issues mean to go green in a
city for all organisms
involved?
13(10th and Due Eco-music Due Recipes from our
12th) Listening Assignment Past Assignment and
and Discussion Discussion. Sharing the
stories of family
Cooking

14(17th and Garden Harvesting, Flower Harvesting and

19th) Talking about specific Notes to our
foods for potluck, community activity
preparations, and Unit 4- Reconnecting with our
introduction to the Roots
tiles.

15(24th and Preparing the Plots for Last Day of Class, Tiles
26th) the Summer- due & Potluck-
Regenerative Students serve the dish
Agriculture they created with
ingredients from the
garden

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