Indigenous Community Garden at Virginia Tech

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Indigenous Community Garden at Virginia Tech

Méku!

Members of the Virginia Tech Indigenous Community Garden work in this space to nurture and tend to heirloom crops and seeds tied to their communities’ traditional ecological knowledge.

05/31/2026

Summer hours are here!

The Indigenous Community Garden (ICG) is excited to announce our summer volunteer hours:

Thursdays & Sundays
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Join us as we grow, tend, and learn alongside our plant relatives throughout the season. Whether you're a returning volunteer or visiting for the first time, all are welcome.

Stay connected for updates, events, and garden announcements by joining our GroupMe through the link in our bio. We look forward to this summer!

05/17/2026

We planted our first ridges of mą:ta:xe in the ICG!!! Soaking in kernels in our te fala im issito to assist with our germinating and keep the crows from plucking our seeds! Our Garden Caretaker, Miss Vicky shared with us her traditional ways of knowing and growing! 🤩

05/14/2026

Meku!

We are beginning our mą:ta:xe planting this weekend at the Indigenous Community Garden (ICG) on Sunday, May 17th!

Join us as we come together to plant, learn, and continue the important work of seed saving for our communities and future generations. This gathering is free and open to everyone — all are welcome to participate, connect, and share in community.

Snacks and beverages will be provided. We look forward to growing with you!

05/05/2026

Now Hiring: Undergraduate Summer Intern — Indigenous Community Garden (ICG) at Virginia Tech

The Indigenous Community Garden is seeking an undergraduate intern to support research and programming within the Sustainable Green Corn Ceremony Restoration Program (SGCRP).

This paid opportunity offers experience in:

Indigenous food systems & regenerative agriculture

Community-engaged and land-based research

Technical documentation and educational resource development

Position Details:

Pay: $13.00/hour

Duration: Up to 70 hours (Summer 2026)

Schedule: ~5 hours/week

Students will work directly with culturally grounded agricultural practices and contribute to ongoing research supported by SARE Graduate Student Research Grant: Sustainable Green Corn Ceremony Restoration Program at a Land-Grant Institution (SGCRP).

Eligibility:

Current Virginia Tech undergraduate student

Eligible to work in the U.S.

Full Job Description: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g-D1Kfhl_w6rI-jh1TkbMBJhnlz6mgQr8m3GzBzckf0/edit?usp=sharing

For any questions or additional information, please contact:

Bryce Burrell
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Donna Westfall-Rudd
Email: [email protected]

04/27/2026

Five Days Away!!!! Ati: Wa: Oki Indigenous Community Center and Native at VT welcome everyone to join their 9th Annual Spring Powwow!!! Come and enjoy at Solitude-Fraction House this weekend on May 2nd!!! Grand Entry starts at noon!

04/26/2026

Sowing mątamaį and ha:di:ne in our ridges! 🤩

04/20/2026

On Sunday, April 19th, we came together to carry out a prescribed burn at the garden, marking the beginning of our new growing season!

Led by our Garden Caretaker, Victoria Persinger Ferguson (Monacan Indian Nation), and Bryce Burrell (Mississippi Choctaw), this burn reflects an ongoing commitment to Southeastern Woodland land stewardship practices and preparing the soil in a good way for what’s ahead.

Prescribed burning plays an important role in caring for the land. It helps remove corn and squash pests, clear away dead thatch and old vegetation, suppress invasive species, and return nutrients back into the soil through ash. These practices support soil health and create stronger conditions for growth throughout the season.

Students were also involved in shaping burn trenches and ridges, helping prepare the space for the upcoming ma:ta:xe planting.

04/16/2026

In celebration of the conclusion of the Indigenous Fellow in Residence 2026 Program, Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen (Mohawk Nation) will be visiting the Indigenous Community Garden at Virginia Tech (ICG) to share insights on Haudenosaunee land stewardship practices and the cultural origins of the Three Sisters.
Panera Bread will be provided. This event is free and open to all.

The gathering will take place from 10:00–11:00 AM at the Turfgrass Research Center, 615 Southgate Drive.

04/08/2026

We are sharing this message in support of our relatives on Hawaiʻi who are currently going through severe storms impacting their homes and communities.

Some of our community members and families are organizing support efforts and are seeking assistance through donations of supplies or funds to help with recovery.

Needed supplies include:

Tarps

Bungee cord packs

Sump pump hoses

Air purifiers

Wheelbarrows

Shovels

Gas/Diesel or funds to help cover fuel costs

If you are able to help, please consider contributing or sharing this post to help reach others who may be able to support.

Mahalo for standing with our relatives during this time. Please share and repost and donate if you can.

03/28/2026

🌺 Apply to Be Part of the NextGen Hawaiʻi Study Away Program Cohort!

This is your opportunity to take part in a unique cultural learning journey in Hawaiʻi. Participants engage in community-based cultural exchange with Kānaka Maoli land stewards and knowledge keepers, learning directly from ʻāina (land), people, and practice.

Students explore Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) through hands-on experiences with culturally significant food crops such as kalo (taro), maʻia (banana), ʻulu (breadfruit), and kō (sugarcane)—discovering how these plants are embedded within living systems of land stewardship, food sovereignty, and cultural continuity. Participants also take part in service-based activities with Kānaka-led organizations, supporting community-led food sovereignty initiatives and the restoration of traditional food systems.

The program includes visits to culturally significant places such as ʻIolani Palace, the Bishop Museum, and the Lyman Museum, along with opportunities to connect with scholars and researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

✨ Apply to be part of the next cohort and experience this transformative learning journey. Spots are limited. This is an all-expenses-paid opportunity for selected participants.

📅 Travel Dates: August 6–14, 2026
📝 Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

Application Link:
https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ikSYuxL3eBE6J8?Q_CHL=qr

🎓 Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university at the time of application.
• Priority will be given to undergraduate students.

📩 Questions or need additional information?
Please contact Liz Sanders at [email protected] or Dr. Rick Rudd at [email protected].

Address

615 Southgate Drive
Blacksburg, VA
24060

Website

https://ccc.vt.edu/index/aiicc/agency-education/garden.html

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