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The Fenway neighborhood is home to several world-renowned hospitals, but there’s a student-run one at Emmanuel that’s making a difference on campus.

Tucked away in the campus greenhouse on the fourth floor of Marian Hall, the Emmanuel Plant Hospital is a community service provided for by the College’s Urban Food Project club. Their business model is simple: people drop off their ailing plants and members of the club try to diagnose the issue and fix it. 

Club Treasurer Alison Hrivnak ’27 joined the club earlier this year and has already seem several cases of overwatering, root rot, and a lovely Bird of Paradise plant that desperately needed a larger pot. A double major in political science and philosophy with a minor in sustainability, Hrivnak joined the club to lead its outreach efforts, but has also enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with plants. 

“It’s always been a passion of mine,” said Hrivnak. “Both of my parents garden and it’s just something I grew up around.” 

An Emmanuel student with the plant hospital in the campus greenhouse
Urban Food Project Treasurer Alison Hrivnak ’27 and the Emmanuel greenhouse plant hospital

The Urban Food Project is a club dedicated to cultivating the next generation of food justice leaders, advocating for a food system that is diverse, equitable, resilient, sustainable, and just. In practice, urban gardening and working with plants is usually a priority for the students in the group, explained club advisor and Associate Professor of Political Science Adam Silver. 

“The students really tailor the club to however they want to do it,” said Dr. Silver. “There is a framework there, but the students chart their path every year.”   

The group was launched in 2015 initially through a grant from the New Balance corporation before transitioned to a student-run club over the years. Originally focused on growing produce to donate at Emmanuel’s Notre Dame Campus in Roxbury, Dr. Silver said the club’s work at the greenhouse has nurtured a community that encourages involvement and learning.

“The interesting thing for me as a faculty member is you see different students from different majors getting involved,” he said. “There’s also the opportunity for a lot of learning experiences: how to run a club, how to engage with their peers, how to devise programming – and then there’s the skillset with the plants.”

two people with the massive Yucca plant at the Emmanuel greenhouse
Associate Professor of Political Science Adam Silver has been involved with the Urban Food Project since its launch in 2015. He said the massive Yucca plant at the greenhouse predates his involvement with the space.

Current club priorities include expanding outreach to connect with new members and gardening at the Notre Dame campus. The group recently helped with cleanup at the Notre Dame garden and plans to do some planting there in the spring. Campus events, such as a pre-Halloween pumpkin seed roast and plant potting nights, round out the mainstay activities. 

“We are dedicated to food and sustainability justice within Boston, so we try to find green spaces in the city to help people reconnect with nature and learn more about the environment, plants, and healthy food options,” said Hrivnak.

A Pembroke native who is considering a career in environmental policy or law, Hrivnak first connected with the club through a cleanup at the Notre Dame garden earlier this year. She dropped by to help with weeding and decided to stay involved. 

“I’m really glad I found this club, it’s been such a good opportunity for me,” she said. “I was worried moving into the city that I wouldn’t have the chance to work with plants as much, so this has been really great. I hope we can continue to see the club grow.”

The greenhouse is open to the Emmanuel community from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

Emmanuel recognized as Green College

Emmanuel’s commitment to sustainability was recently recognized in the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges

Some 511 schools were listed in the guide, based on exceptional programs, policies, and practices related to sustainability and the environment, according to the press release announcing the 2024 guide. 

A student watering a plant
Urban Food Project Treasurer Alison Hrivnak ’27 is considering a career in environmental policy or law, but also enjoys working directly with plants.