VALDOSTA – A Valdosta State University student-led organization is connecting students’ studies to real world application with its greenhouse project that aims to teach homeless shelter residents new skills.

VSU Enactus, an entrepreneurial volunteer non-profit organization affiliated with the Langdale College of Business Administration, built a greenhouse in 2016 at the Lowndes Associated Ministries to People Inc. (LAMP) shelter. The shelter serves individuals who are experiencing homelessness and living in Lowndes, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Lanier and Tift counties.

The students who originally began the project have either graduated from the university or transitioned out of the program. So far, over 100 VSU students have been involved with the project and a dedicated team is still maintaining and expanding the project.

“The main goal was that we saw a lot of sodium rich foods being brought into the homeless shelter, so we thought they have the space, why not utilize it to grow some fresh food and be involved in our community more,” Kaden Marshall, the VSU Enactus greenhouse project chair, said Tuesday.

He enjoys the physical impact the team makes on LAMP residents.

“Usually projects for Enactus have an end goal, but this one we decided will be an ongoing process,” Marshall said.

The organization currently has eight kale plants, four tomato seedlings, over six lettuce plants, four pepper plants and 18 pea plants. They also maintain a few plants in single pots. The greenhouse has previously grown radishes, green kale, red kale, collards, Swiss chard, carrots, broccoli, green beans and peas, and it’s been used to breed tilapia for residents to eat using aquaponics.

Due to the decrease in participation stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent hurricane impact, VSU Enactus Faculty Advisor Jeffrie Shipley said, only about 10 VSU students have been involved this semester.

“It’s one of the reasons I stay here. I love to see these students. When they start out they say we can’t make a difference. But by the end, they can see the difference they are making. Seeing those students grow and bloom and knowing that they can leave VSU and maybe go back to their communities and make a difference outside of their job,” Shipley said.

Jamaya Johnson, a senior business management student, is one member of the project. She likes that the group is active within the community surrounding campus.

To inquiring students, Johnson said, “If you like to be active in the community, this is a great opportunity to volunteer and to get out and meet new people.”

LAMP Executive Director Yurshema Flanders said the residents are still reaping the benefits of the continuous project like incorporating new foods in their diets. Having students enter the shelter on a frequent basis makes them become a part of the organization.

“Teaching our residents how to garden, how to maintain a garden or the terms of year has helped them take that knowledge with them to their homes and be able to do that there as well,” Flanders said. “Then we get to enjoy those vegetables in the shelter. Since COVID, we have not had as many clients come out and interact with them and the gardening. But before that there was a major impact.”

VSU Enactus is open to all students in all majors. Shipley explained the project and the team allow students to make a difference outside of the classroom. The organization has children mentoring programs Ora Lee West and Hudson Dockett that needs skills from all majors like biology or education students.

Interested students can contact Jeffrie Shipley at jkshiple@valdosta.edu for more information.