The Frederick and Ophelia Tate Ogier Gardens at the University of North Florida\u00a0 gives students a place to volunteer, relax and learn about different kinds of produce.<\/p>\n
The Ogier Gardens hosts free tours for UNF students, one of them being the herbal tea tour. The herbal tea tours in summer are June 10 and Jul 10, 2026. Garden tours start at 9 a.m. every Friday during the semesters, according to the Recreation and Wellness<\/a> website.<\/p>\n During the tour, the staff walk students around the garden and point out different plants they grow that can be used in tea, and explain the benefits some teas have. After the tour, students will be able to drink a cup of tea made from dried plants and herbs in the garden.<\/p>\n Herbal Tea Tour<\/p>\n During the herbal tea tour, Ogier Garden staff teach students about different kinds of herbs and produce that they have.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kevin Anderson, senior coordinator of Ogier Gardens, has been at UNF since 2013, shortly after Ogier Gardens was established in 2012.<\/p>\n During the tour, Anderson taught students that different herbs have different tastes and effects. Chamomile has calming and soothing effects and can help with menstrual pain, stress and bone density. Ogier Gardens also has Roselle Hibiscus, which is found in Red Zinger tea and it can help lower blood pressure, Anderson said.<\/p>\n Amellya Clifford, a UNF student majoring in public relations, has worked at Ogier Gardens for about three years.\u00a0<\/p>\n Clifford said that dandelions are good to eat and use to make tea, but people should be careful where they get them from because there could be pesticides on them.<\/p>\n Ogier Gardens doesn\u2019t use pesticides for its produce. \u201cEverything here is organic,\u201d Clifford said.<\/p>\n Ogier Gardens has workshops such as the herbal tea tour, introduction to organic gardening, and compost 101, which students are able to attend for free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Adopt-A-Bed<\/p>\n At Ogier Gardens, students can \u201cAdopt-A-Bed\u201d and plant their own vegetables, herbs and flowers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ogier Gardens provides the tools and supplies needed to grow the produce, according to the Recreation and Wellness page<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Clifford uses her bed to grow herbs and plants to make her own tea. Some of the supplies used during the herbal tea tour were from her bed, according to Clifford.<\/p>\n Lend-A-Wing<\/p>\n The Ogier Gardens donates most of the herbs and produce that is harvested, including herbs, to Lend-A-Wing<\/a>, the food pantry on campus. \u201cMost of the produce goes to the food pantry,\u201d Anderson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lend-A-Wing is able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for students to combat food insecurity<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n