A University building helps to notify the nation about Athens’ weather.

The rooftop of the Geography/ Geology building is home to a climatology data collection source and vegetable gardens.

“All of the weather reports heard on [National Public Radio] from Athens come from the rooftop,” said Nik Heynen, an associate professor of geography.

The roof has been eco-friendly for more than 60 years and allows growth of vegetables for those in need. It was built to grow grass and plants that mimic ground landscapes to allow for accurate weather and climate reports.

In contrast to many rooftop construction plans that include asphalt, slate, clay tile or cedar, the building’s construction in 1959 included roofing materials to sustain plant growth.

Athens Urban Food Collective, a group run solely by students and professors, shares the rooftop with the climatology department. In the spring of 2007, the food collective built six raised vegetable gardens “with the help of local stores’ donations of lumber, soil and seeds,” Heynen said. Foods planted include okra, tomatoes, peppers and basil.

The crops grown on the rooftop are donated to an organization called Food Not Bombs, a grassroots movement that works to end hunger by collecting food that cannot be sold in grocery stores and markets (foodnotbombs.net).

“Food Not Bombs, in addition to collecting vegetables grown on campus, also gleans produce from the Earth Fare market,” Heynan said.

After cooking the food, members of Food Not Bombs distribute the meals to homeless individuals or those struggling from food insecurity, he said.

Rising oil prices have contributed to the increase in the cost of food. The collaborative efforts of Athens Urban Food Collective and Food Not Bombs have aided those in need.

The rooftop gardens grow organic foods, Hilda Kurtz, an associate professor of geography, said.

“Tomatoes are high in vitamin C, and we wanted to augment the fresh food moving through Food Not Bombs,” she said.

This winter, with the help of students involved in Athens Urban Food Collective, the “fall crops will be pulled and winter crops will be planted,” said Ellison Fidler, a senior from Decatur, who also plays a role in the collective.

“Oct. 15 is the planting date,” Kurtz said. “Broccoli, kale, radishes and turnips are the vegetables we hope to plant,” she said.

The food collective is working toward increasing crop donations soon.

“We want to launch one or more community gardens where local citizens and students can work with AUFC to expand the program,” Kurtz said.

The Lamar Dodd School of Art hosts a lush green roof. Construction began in early August on the Hotel Indigo in downtown Athens, which will also host a green roof.