Greenhouse Management, Integrated Pest Management, Hydroponics, Urban Agriculture, Permaculture, Sustainable Agriculture, Composting, Microgreens
Donielle "Doni" Nolan graduated from Mason in the spring of 2014 with her BA in Biology. During her years as a student she volunteered for Monica Marcelli in the greenhouse and always dreamed of having her own greenhouse one day. For three years she was the President of the GMU Organic Garden Association (GOGA) while earning her undergraduate degree. She joined the Office of Sustainability in 2013 as the summer intern for the Potomac Heights Organic Vegetable Garden and later as the assistant coordinator for the 2014 Permaculture Design Certification Course. After working all summer in the garden, she knew that growing food was her passion. Upon graduating in 2014, she was hired to start the hydroponic food-production facility in the Presidents Park Greenhouse, which sells $20,000 of fresh produce a year to Mason Dining. She works full-time for the Office of Sustainability as the Greenhouse & Gardens Program Manager for the hydroponic greenhouse and two gardens on campus. She is delighted to teach the Mason community through her position as adjunct faculty for the INTS 210 course. If you would like to get involved at the greenhouse and gardens, please contact Doni at dnolan6@gmu.edu. Or visit green.gmu.edu to learn more.
Hydroponic Microgreen Production
Nolan, D. 2018. Master’s Thesis: Effects of Seed Density and Other Factors on the Yield of Microgreens Grown Hydroponically on Burlap. Virginia Tech. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/86642?show=full
Nolan, D., et al. 2019. Evaluating the Yield of Helianthus annuus Microgreens When Treated with Sodium Hypochlorite and Other Factors. George Mason University. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program. College of Science. https://journals.gmu.edu/index.php/jssr/article/view/2665
Grants, $53,000 Total for Presidents Park Greenhouse 2014 – 2017
INTS 210 - Sustainable World (Spring 2019 to present)
INTS 490 - Internship (as supervisor, Spring 2015 to present)
Virginia Tech 2018 M.S. in Agriculture & Life Sciences
Concentration in Plant Science and Pest Management
George Mason University 2014 B.A. in Biology
TedX Tysons, 2017. Presentation: Growing food sustainably. Salon at WeWork – Theme: Concrete Jungle https://youtu.be/qucA_V_vX34
City Farmer News. 2017. Featured: Meet the budding hydroponic farmer feeding George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. http://cityfarmer.info/meet-the-budding-hydroponic-farmer-feeding-george-mason-university-in-fairfax-virginia/
George Mason University. 2017. Featured: Meet the Mason Nation: Doni Nolan. Spirit Magazine https://spirit.gmu.edu/2017/08/meet-the-mason-nation-doni-nolan/
George Mason University. 2017. Featured: Grow well-being this summer by volunteering at Mason’s greenhouse and gardens. http://wellbeing.gmu.edu/articles/10807
George Mason University. 2017. Featured: Putting her green fingers to work. https://www2.gmu.edu/focused-your-future/putting-her-green-fingers-work
George Mason University. 2017. Featured: Volunteering on campus led to discovering her passion: farming. GMU News. https://www2.gmu.edu/news/389766?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=newsdesk&utm_term=farming_0315&utm_content=buzz_mcclain&utm_campaign=FY17_facebook_031617
Green Connections Radio, 2017. Interview: Easy Greenhouse, Campus – Donielle “Doni” Nolan, George Mason University. http://www.greenconnectionsradio.com/easy-greenhouse-campus-donielle-doni-nolan-george-mason-university/
Horti Daily. 2016. Featured: Biology graduate finds her calling in the greenhouse. http://www.hortidaily.com/article/33178/US-(VA)-Biology-graduate-finds-her-calling-in-the-greenhouse
Fairfax Times. 2016. Featured: Growing their own: Fundraiser launched to expand GMU fresh food production. http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/health_and_food/growing-their-own-fundraiser-launched-to-expand-gmu-fresh-food/article_4f2ffe68-29cc-11e6-9aa4-9f9c0a887f0e.html