Growing Fresh, Even in the Winter: Tower Gardens at Binghamton University

Written by Shlok Pikle, BUDS Student Intern

Fresh produce can be hard to come by during the winter months. What is available often travels long distances before reaching our plates, increasing its carbon footprint and losing some of its freshness along the way. That’s why Binghamton University is turning to an innovative solution—Tower Gardens. A Tower Garden is a vertical, aeroponic growing system that allows us to cultivate fresh produce indoors, regardless of the season. Instead of soil, plants grow in a nutrient-rich water system that delivers everything they need directly to their roots. This method helps plants grow faster than traditional farming while using less space and water. Bringing fresh, locally grown food to campus in the winter is no easy task. But with Tower Gardens, we can grow ingredients right here at Binghamton University, reducing our reliance on transported produce and making a more sustainable choice for the planet. Plus, the result is food that is fresher, tastier, and packed with nutrients. The Tower Gardens initiative at Binghamton was sparked by BUDS District Manager Dan McLain, who was inspired by similar hydroponic systems and sought to integrate them into campus dining. Chris Harasta, the BUDS Sustainability Manager, supported the idea, with Nicolas Dugan, an Empire State Service Corps grant intern working with Chris, taking the lead on research. Nicolas explored various models and suppliers before presenting his recommendations, leading BUDS to invest in three Tower Gardens for CIW Dining Hall. Jordan Finkelstein, who oversees both the Food Pantry and ACRES Garden, along with his intern Tai, eagerly joined the effort, contributing their gardening expertise. The Garden Club assisted in maintaining the towers, while the Seed Library provided the necessary seeds. Much of the produce grown in the Tower Gardens will be donated to the Binghamton University Food Pantry, helping students in need gain access to fresh, healthy ingredients. During the warmer months, the ACRES Garden supplies the pantry with fresh produce, and the Tower Gardens will allow us to continue that effort through the winter. Some of the harvest will also be reserved for use in CIW Dining Hall, where students can look forward to featured ingredients grown right here on campus. Chris Harasta reflected on the impact of this initiative, saying, “The Tower Gardens have been a huge success! Even more important than the plants, this project has brought together so many different folks.” This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Binghamton University Food Pantry, Binghamton University Seed Library, and ACRES Garden. Together, we’re making fresh, sustainable food more accessible to the campus community—one Tower Garden at a time. Keep an eye out for Tower Garden ingredients in CIW Dining Hall and know that when you see them, you're tasting something grown right here at Binghamton.