During Ramapo College President Peter Mercer’s and his wife Jackie Ehlert-Mercer’s residency at the Havemeyer House, they transformed a plot of land into a sustainable garden full of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Drawing on her expertise, Dr. Ehlert-Mercer ran numerous nutrition education programs for students and the community linking growing food to sustainability and the environment, using the Havemeyer Edible Garden (HEG) as its platform. The edible garden and its programs were funded entirely by private donations from founders who enthusiastically joined to support Dr. Ehlert-Mercer’s efforts.

Dr. Ehlert-Mercer also established a thriving hive of honeybees to pollinate the garden. A popular student club was formed surrounding this effort, in addition to further programming to educate young people about the critical role that bees play in the ecosystem.

This endowed scholarship continues the work of Dr. Ehlert-Mercer and the legacy of the HEG by supporting Ramapo College students who have a similar passion for food and nutrition, sustainable agriculture and food growing, honey bee management, landscape design, native horticulture, as well as the study of invasive species.

The recipients will receive a stipend to work at the food and herb garden located on the grounds of the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons.

2023 Recipient

2022 Recipient

Chelsea de Waal Malefyt

“Being able to replant this special garden on the Ramapo campus has been an honor, knowing how much it meant to Dr. Ehlert Mercer,” said Chelsea de Waal Malefyt, who worked during the summer of 2022 to move plants located at the Havemeyer House to a plot in front of the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons. Chelsea is an Environmental Science major from Wantage, N.J. She enjoys spending time with her horses, birdwatching, gardening and hiking.

She has a 3.5 GPA.

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