HOPE Gardens

The urban garden, which serves as the primary site of many of the biobehavioral interventions conducted by HOPE Lab, is located at The Ohio State University Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory in Columbus, Ohio. Additional collaborations have expanded the reach of HOPE Lab to other areas within the state, such as Fremont, Ohio, located in Sandusky county. These partnerships serve to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and support the University's three land grant functions: teaching, research, and extension.

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Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, commonly referred to as “Waterman Farms,” is a 261-acre research facility conveniently located on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University allowing easy access and excellent opportunities for interaction among faculty, staff, and students across all OSU colleges and departments. There are five official built facilities on site, including the newly-constructed Franklin County Extension Office, which houses a conference room and instructional kitchen where group educational sessions and cooking demonstrations are held. 

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Our gardens are approximately 5+ acres in total. Harvesting at HOPE Gardens allows for enhanced community support, encourages shared interactions, and incorporates evidence-based education on proper harvesting, storage, and preparation of produce. Visitors harvest or are provided with vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown on-site. Crops available are selected to provide opportunities for consumption of foods that align with evidence-based dietary patterns.