The produce grown in Allegheny’s very own Carrden is now certified naturally grown, meaning that all produce grown is pestiide-free and meets organic agricultural standards. 

The Carrden was established in 2013 as both a teaching tool and a way to provide fresh, locally grown produce to Allegheny’s campus and the Meadville community. 

Since its establishment, the Carrden has strived to employ sustainable growing practices and is committed to continuing and improving these practices, according to Kerstin Ams, the garden manager for the Carrden. 

Over the summer, the Carrden was surveyed by a local Saegertown farmer and officially received certified naturally grown status for the national organization Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) in June. 

The Carrden will continue to grow and stay committed to sustainable growing practices over the upcoming years. Ams and Kelly Boulton, sustainability coordinator, announced that they are looking to receive the administration’s approval to bring a colony of bees and half a dozen chickens into the Carrden to expand its offerings.