SoDel Concepts donates meal for students, professors working on Botanic Gardens

SoDel Concepts recently donated lunch to the Delaware Botanic Gardens, which welcomed Dr. Don Rakow, professor of horticulture at Cornell University, and students in the university’s graduate program in public garden leadership. Ronnie Burkle, corporate chef of SoDel Concepts, is on the advisory board of the Delaware Botanic Gardens, which will occupy a site on Piney Neck Road in Dagsboro.

“We are proud that SoDel is represented on the board of DBG,” said Scott Kammerer, president and CEO of SoDel Concepts. “We fully support their mission, and we look forward to helping them reach their goals.”

The DBG board and their guests visited the site April 30 and then went to the Delaware Community Foundation’s Georgetown headquarters for lunch and presentations. DBG is establishing an endowment fund through the foundation. This semester, the public garden management class worked on recommendations for DBG’s children’s garden and for a plant collection policy to ensure a diverse yet meaningful collection. The students used surveys, case study analysis, interviews and industry best practices to formulate their recommendations, which included making the children’s garden a multisensory experience.

DBG President Susan Ryan, owner of Good Earth Farm and Market and Organic Farm, praised SoDel Concepts for its donation. “We are indebted to SoDel Concepts for helping us celebrate the contributions that Cornell University, Dr. Don Rakow and his inspiring students are making to the Delaware Botanic Gardens.”

Delaware Botanic Gardens is a 10-year multiphase plan to create a major public garden that reflects southern Delaware. For details, go to delawaregardens.org. For information on SoDel Concepts, visit sodelconcepts.com.