- This event has passed.
“Where Does the Sunflower Go?” Workshop @ The Healing Garden at The Price
April 17 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
“Where Does the Sunflower Go?” Workshop: Soil, Science & Sustaining Our Movements 
On Thursday, April 17th, 2025, NewGeo will join a powerful lineup of community leaders, scientists, and educators at the Price Institute Healing Garden for the workshop “Where Does the Sunflower Go? Investing in Our Shared Soil & Sustaining Our Movements.”
This event, co-hosted by the HAL Free School and the Price Institute, brings together participants of all ages to reflect on how plants like the sunflower can heal our soil and how mutual aid can strengthen our relationships and sustain community movements.
NewGeo Soil Testing Station: Using Science to Serve the Community
As part of our mission to connect scientific tools with community knowledge, the NewGeo team will set up an interactive soil analysis station featuring our X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. Community members are invited to bring soil from their homes or gardens, which we will test on site for heavy metals and other key indicators of soil health.
Our team will also lead conversations around:
The importance of soil testing in urban environments
Understanding soil quality and contamination risks
How composting, planting, and soil restoration support environmental justice
Collaboration for Healing and Action
This workshop was a collaborative effort, featuring insights from:
- Dr. Omnajana Goswami – Union of Concerned Scientists
- Chef Tara Addison – Elegant Bouquet Kitchen
- Newark Water Coalition
- Mutual Morris
- Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Together, we will explore the intersection of food, environment, and justice—while inspiring attendees to take steps to care for the ecosystems around them.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, April 17th, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Price Institute Healing Garden, 49 Bleeker Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Interested in bringing NewGeo’s soil testing activities to your garden, classroom, or community event? Contact us to learn how we collaborate with local partners to build environmental knowledge from the ground up.
NewGeo is a National Science Foundation-supported experiential learning program connecting Rutgers-Newark students with local communities to address environmental and climate justice challenges.
