WEST LIBERTY, (W.Va.)— West Liberty University’s biology professors and students are well-acquainted with the greenhouse attached to the Arnett Hall of Natural Sciences. Typically, students in the Bio Club grow vegetables and/or flowers to grow and learn about plants and then sell them to campus just before commencement.
Recently though, things changed a bit as Dr. Roger Seeber got involved in growing plants from seeds that will be planted in the Covenant Community Garden, a garden grown by members of the C3 Church that serves those in need.
“For about 14 years the C3 Church has had a food garden, last year I got involved,” explained Dr. Roger Seeber, WLU’s biology professor who teaches botany.
Seeber has been growing vegetables for about 30 years and wanted to help his church save money on plants bought at a local garden center by nurturing seeds to plants in the WLU greenhouse, then donating them to the garden.
“Last summer I approached my Departmental Chair Dr. Joseph Horzempa, and asked if the school would be interested in helping generate food for those who need it and he said yes. We (he and his wife) are members of the C3 Garden Committee now and I offered to grow plants from seeds, right here on campus, then transplant and share them when they were ready to go into the soil.”
Seeber started onions, two types of peppers, three types of tomatoes and cabbage plants within the last six weeks.
“The university donated greenhouse space, trays and soil. I bought the seeds. Together we will provide about 120 tomato plants and 170 pepper plants, along with other vegetables,” Seeber said.
Located along Big Wheeling Creek on C3 property, the church garden is about ¾ acres in size and provides food for individuals as well as the Wheeling Soup Kitchen and Catholic Charities. Its motto is “Growing for God’s Glory.”
“We appreciate the gardening knowledge that Dr. Seeber brings to the C3 Garden Team,” said Pastor Adam Mick, “and we are grateful that West Liberty permitted Dr. Seeber to use the greenhouse space, trays, and soil to help feed those in need in the Ohio Valley.”
The church will be doing an April planting for early crops and another after the last frost date. The first planting is planned for April 23 then the later one is scheduled for May 21.
C3 is a non-denominational, Christian Church located at 250 Bethany Pike, Wheeling.
West Liberty University’s College of Sciences is led by Dean Dr. Karen Kettler. It prides itself on its student-focused teaching, learning and research environment dedicated to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. For details, please visit westliberty.edu/college- of-sciences.
