FGCU Food Forest

             There is no place on campus like the FGCU Food Forest. Quite frankly, I personally have never been to a food forest before this experience. Prior to the trip, I was unaware FGCU even had a food forest and could only guess as to what a food forest truly is.
             Upon arrival as we walked into the entrance I knew I was in for something entirely different from what I had imagined. I learned so much I honestly don't know where to start without writing an entire encyclopedia, with volumes regarding each plant and it's purpose. Heck I could even write a short story solely about how the food forest came to be.
As we journeyed through the food forest the first plant that fascinated me was the Moringa. This plant is indigenous to Africa and is essentially, THE super plant. If I was stranded on an island with Moringa trees, I guarantee you I'd be the most nutritious island survivor in history. Gram for gram the Moringa plant has more vitamin C than six oranges, the potassium of three bananas, the calcium equivalent to four gallons of milk and twice as much protein, as much carotene as four carrots, three times more vitamin E than spinach, and three times as much iron as almonds. No, none of that is exaggerated; the Moringa is the Holy Grail of nutritious crops. Mind you this is only the first of many fascinating crops found in the FGCU Food Forest.
             The whole principle and history of the FGCU Food Forest embraces sustainable food and is a living statue showing how much of an impact individuals can make towards sustainability. The food forest is very young, and completely student run. It was founded, and is still managed by self driven, like minded students, individuals and alumni who believe in sustainable food and support the ecological mission of the University. The entire food forest is so organized and scientifically laid out to create the perfect ecological environment. For example, the banana trees are placed at the lowest point all the way in the back of the forest to retain all moisture possible from run off and drainage. Pineapples are planted on a bank tilted at a specific angle and direction to obtain optimal sunlight and keep the rain water from drowning the plant. Fire bush (pictured below) is abundant in the entire food forest yet each plant is strategically placed to be a key pollinator for it's surrounding plants. The Fire bush is the host plant of the Zebra butterfly which always comes back to this specific plant to breed caterpillars. Therefore creating a sustainable, natural, and ecological cycle of constant pollination.

I believe all students should be aware of the FGCU Food Forest in hopes to expand it's future and to enlighten students of how easily possible it is to live and eat sustainably regardless of excuses.