Missouri S&T, the University of Missouri Extension and other Rolla residents are working to establish the Rolla Community Garden at 2504 McCutchen Drive. Dr. Daniel B. Oerther is spearheading S&T’s involvement in the project, which has a goal of providing healthy, low-cost produce and hands-on learning opportunities for the Rolla community in an environmentally responsible manner.

Oerther, the John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Environmental Engineering, says his involvement is part of his ongoing research to combat the obesity epidemic. “Access to healthy food and moderate, regular exercise are two of the major choices individuals can make to adopt a wellness lifestyle,” he says.
This is the second community garden Oerther has helped establish. In 2010, his work on creating an “urban farm” for the University of Cincinnati was recognized with an Under 40 Leadership Award from the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.
To learn more about the Rolla Community Garden, check out its page on Facebook or its blog.