Students for Stewardship was founded by Biosystems Engineering students Andrew Evans and Paige Farral to unite students from all backgrounds around a shared mission of ecological restoration, sustainable design, and hands-on land stewardship. Their primary project is the Hunnicutt Food Forest (HFF), a growing biodiversity park near Kite Hill on Clemson University’s campus.
The group is now preparing to install a greenhouse at the site to support year-round propagation, tool storage, and environmental education. The project is being developed in collaboration with Biosystems Engineering faculty Dr. Tom Dodd and Dr. Tom Owino, both professors in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. Their mentorship has helped guide the planning, design, and construction process.
The greenhouse also supports the long-term goal of transforming Hunnicutt into a Living Land Lab. By applying permaculture and regenerative design principles, the site becomes a place to test and refine ecological systems—from soil health to local climate function. These student-led projects are essential not only for education, but also for rethinking how people and ecosystems can thrive together. They reflect a shift toward working with nature, building resilience through relationships rather than resource extraction.
For the club, the greenhouse represents a major step forward. It will provide the infrastructure needed to scale propagation efforts, increase community involvement, and grow meaningful, land-based learning experiences.
At the Hunnicutt Food Forest, students cultivate native, edible, medicinal, and pollinator-supporting plants as part of a broader commitment to regenerative land care and climate resilience. The site incorporates ecological engineering practices such as herb spirals, deep-rooted perennials, phytoremediation, and integrated earthworks. These systems are designed to capitalize on stormwater, build soil health, and support long-term biodiversity.
Students for Stewardship continues to expand through partnerships with Clemson’s Sustainability Commission, city leaders, and local organizations. Together, they are bridging campus and community through collaborative, student-led restoration work that makes a lasting impact.
