Students in Marshall University’s Department of Anthropology and Sociology recently finished a semester-long community garden project in War, West Virginia, and presented their work to members of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in Washington. The project was funded through a grant as part of the ARC Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative program, which encourages groups to address a community-defined need in an at-risk or distressed county in Appalachia.

Both undergraduate and graduate students in Dr. Kristi McLeod’s Self and Society class visited the town of War three times over the past semester for the “Harvesting Heritage: Community Garden of War” project. They helped build a potting shed, conducted research to identify barriers to participation from community members and on their final trip, engaged with members of the community, making apple butter and presenting their findings, marketing materials, and recommendations to assist the garden in the future.

For the community, the garden serves as a common gathering space that strengthens community bonds, which is important for mental health, as well as providing a source of 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 and raising awareness of the strength and resilience of rural Appalachian communities,” said McLeod, chair and professor of sociology.

For the students, the project also provided benefits such as hands-on experience in community development, fostering a sense of social responsibility and equipping them with practical skills that they can apply in their future careers, she said. They also gained a deeper understanding of Appalachian culture, as well as the challenges and strengths of rural communities.

“It was good to be able to apply some of my basic technical skills for a good purpose — very rewarding,” said student Keenan Janicker.

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