Senior Aaron Hays has grown a lot as a person in his four years at St. Thomas, and he’s grown quite a few vegetables, too.

The Stewardship Garden, located behind the Brady Educational Center on South campus, was started three years ago by students and provides plots for biological experiments and an outlet for giving.

1,500 pounds of vegetables like eggplants, cabbage, potatoes, bell peppers and beans have been donated to local food shelves that do not see fresh produce often. The garden has donated to Catholic Charities in the past, but this year’s destination for the vegetables has not yet been decided.

With no experience in gardening or biology, Hays took on this project by organizing, coordinating, energizing and involving on-campus groups.

“I’d say the biggest change has been our engagement with different groups on campus,” Hays said. “Last summer, we got the opportunity to work with Multicultural Student Services, and nutrition classes helped out in the garden for credit.”

Hays said the garden’s impact has exceeded his expectations.

“We’ve expanded the scope of what we wanted to do,” Hays said. “We wanted to provide a place where students can have educational opportunities, and we wanted to have community outreach and a service component.”

Hays said his time in the Stewardship Garden has been a learning experience.

“The garden gives you a new appreciation for food,” Hays said. “Food has been a great way to introduce people to environmental issues. It is so tangible.”

Steve Trost has been the greenhouse manager for 32 years, and he said Hays has been instrumental in the garden’s success.

“Aaron Hays is the most organized guy I know. He’s energetic, he gets students involved and mixes up the groups so they’re not just all science people,” Trost said. “He brings in peace and justice, and they mesh well.”

Junior Ashela Richardson, who led a biology experiment in the Stewardship Garden, also described Hays as determined.

“He did pretty much all the work setting up these volunteer opportunities and making connections,” Richardson said.

Hays said that all the work has been worth it.

“I find this work really important because it builds strong communities,” Hays said. “That is something very necessary for the future survival of the human race. I will continue to keep working with it in some way.”

Although he does not know who will be taking his place at the Stewardship Garden next year, Hays said he does know what qualities they will need.

“The student has to have a lot of energy to take this project and run with it,” Hays said. “We’ll continue to grow and get connected with other groups on campus. Good things are in store.”

Laura Landvik can be reached at land7854@stthomas.edu.