Get Involved at MKG
The Morven Kitchen Garden is powered by student involvement. Check out the variety of ways to participate!
Volunteer Days
All are welcome to volunteer in the garden. We hold workdays year-round. Carpooling for UVA students is organized by MKG staff. No gardening experience is necessary! All Volunteers must RSVP
Student Leadership
MKG Exec is the student leadership group that advises, promotes, and connects the garden to Grounds.
Student Internships
For UVA students interested in a more in-depth experience in sustainable agriculture, MKG offers paid, unpaid, and for academic credit internships.
Other ways to get Involved
The Morven Kitchen Garden has provided inspiration for student academic projects as well as been a place to create innovative student programs. Students have introduced beehives to the garden, created a CSA program, studied possibilities for rainwater catchment and created exciting programs like Perennials for Patients.
Have an idea you would like to explore? Send us an email!
UVA students—you can also find our @UVA page here.
Student Experiences
Jeff Nizik “Between Gazpacho in the Garden, the fall bonfire, Morven reading days, the end of the year celebration - there was always something to look forward to, something to make time for even when school became overwhelming. Morven, as a place, became an escape. But the people involved made it so much more than just the farm itself. I'm so thankful for the friends I've made here, that made weeding in the summer heat fun, and selling produce at a stand for hours feel like minutes.”
Kat McPherson “Sustainability begins with our planet, with the ground we walk on and grow from, and I wanted to become more connected with the Earth before I pursued a career trying to save it. Tending to MKG gave me that and more–not only did I connect with our environment, I connected with the community that Morven has fostered and met amazing champions of sustainability in Charlottesville.”
Leah Silverman “I cherish the friendships and memories I made throughout my time at Morven and feel beyond lucky for getting to work on such a beautiful piece of land (if you haven’t been yet, check out the Japanese Zen garden). A huge highlight of the internship for me was getting the chance to work directly alongside Steph, as she has so much knowledge and experience working with food that she kindly shared throughout the semester.
Gabriel Leggieri “I was an intern at MKG this past summer and enjoyed my time working, learning, and making friends at the garden… It was one of the best decisions I have made at my time at UVA and it was definitely one of the best summers I have had.”
Reanna Panagides “I have learned so much about gardening/farming in the past four years. I can't wait to use the skills I have learned when I have a garden of my own. I really appreciate everyone who has contributed to my growth in those regards.”
John McCormack “I loved MKG and the whole Morven property, and I’m sad it took me so long to find it! … The garden was a great place to learn! I think I learned something new each day I spent at MKG.”