Campus Community Garden
Who We Are
In 2014, the SJSU Campus Community Garden was established as a result of a student-led initiative. The garden was created to provide students a space to gain access to health food, learn about sustainable organic garden practices and earn service learning hours.
Purpose
The garden is on a quarter acre of land and it includes multiple fruit trees, compost and gray water system, and many more. The garden exists to provide the SJSU students, staff and faculty with an opportunity to participate in food justice, accessibility to fresh and healthy food while engaging in cultural exchange and cooperation. While at the garden, SJSU members learn the ins and outs of a maintaining a small garden. SJSU members will learn how to harvest, prune, water and seed vegetable starts in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. SJSU members would be able to bring home their produce after a workday!
The community garden is a place where students can learn and participate in the process of growing food sustainably, but it does not end there! Students can also harvet and enjoy organic, free and locally grown produce. This space provides a place for student initiative, cooperation and cultural exchange using the growing of food as an exploration of community involvement.
Sustainability at the Garden
The community garden is chemical free (organic) which means that we do not use any
pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, our garden is designed around the
principles of permaculture and regenerative agriculture, meaning that we try to imitate
the natural process. In the garden we have over sixty different plant species from
perennial fruit trees and flowers to annual vegetable crops. Our garden ecosystem
is diverse with multiple pollinators and creatures.
Practiced in our garden is composting and reuse of gray water. We have our own composting
and gray water system that allows us to reuse and reduce our organic waste. Everything
is incorporated into our garden again using sustainable methods.
Volunteering at the Garden
Spring 2020 Volunteer Hours
February 5 to May 2, 2020
Wednesdays: 3pm-5pm
Thursdays: 10am-12pm
Saturdays: 9am-12pm
Registration to Volunteer
Registration to Volunteer for Special Events
Spring 2020 Green Waste Composting Hours
Monday to Saturday: All Day
Composting window: closed on holidays, finals week, semester breaks
Dates subject to change.
Volunteers are welcome on first come first serve basis. For specific summer volunteer
sessions, join the SJSU Campus Community Garden Facebook Group.
Keyword search 'SJSU Campus Community Garden'.
We encourage students to bring a water bottle and a grocery bag or container to help transport harvest from the garden.
Request a Garden Tour, Project or Use the Space
Interested in bringing your staff or classroom to the garden? Want to do a class project related to sustainability and food? Come to the campus community garden!
Groups bigger than 4 must fill out a Campus Community Garden Request Form to reserve space. Please note that this is a request, not a confirmation. All requests will be reviewed. A follow up email will be sent between 3-5 business days after the request has been submitted. Please submit your requests at least 5 weeks in advance.
For faster inquiries, please email sjsucommunitygarden@gmail.com with the subject line: "Project Request" or "Tours at the garden".
Spring 2020 Events
One Thousand Crane Project - Part 1
Tuesday, January 28
12:00pm-2:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Join us in creating 1,000 Origami paper cranes to show our support for a peaceful
world without nuclear weapons. The event is in remembrance of those affected by the
bombing of Hiroshima. The aftermath of the WWII nuclear bombing was brought to the
attention of the world through the children’s novel, Sadako and the Thousand Paper
Cranes. The cranes made will be sent to the Children’s Peace Memorial in Hiroshima.
If inclement weather occurs, the event will be held in the CCCAC office, Student Union,
Suite 1550.
Mindful Art In The Garden: Vision Board Making
Wednesday, Fedbruary 12
12:00pm-1:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
February is the month of love. We will be looking over our New Year’s resolutions, goals, and intentions for 2020. Are they coming from our heart or ego? Let’s find out!
Cooking With SJSU Garden
Thursday, February 13
11:00am-12:00pm
Food Science Department
This Valentine’s Day treat yourself with sweet smoothies and amazing plant-based meals. Join our flavorful and oh-so-practical cooking demos. Cook with Wellness & Health Student Kitchen ambassadors and Food Management Professor, Jamie Kubota. Enjoy a cooking demo and gourmet tasting with the Student Kitchen. Meals will use fresh campus garden fruits, vegetables and herbs.
One Thousand Crane Project - Part 2
Tuesday, February 18
12:00pm-2:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Join us in creating 1,000 Origami paper cranes to show our support for a peaceful
world without nuclear weapons. The event is in remembrance of those affected by the
bombing of Hiroshima. The aftermath of the WWII nuclear bombing was brought to the
attention of the world through the children’s novel, Sadako and the Thousand Paper
Cranes. The cranes made will be sent to the Children’s Peace Memorial in Hiroshima.
If inclement weather occurs, the event will be held in the CCCAC office, Student Union,
Suite 1550.
Mindful Art In The Garden: Mandala Art
Wednesday, February 26
12:00pm-1:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
A mandala is an intricate, complex geometric design that comes from the Sanskrit word, “circle.” Mandalas represent the connection between people’s inner worlds and outer reality. Join us at the Garden to take part in this therapeutic activity. Allow your creativity to flow and create your own, personal Mandala.
Mindful Art In The Garden: Make Your Own Essential Oil Blend
Wednesday, March 11
12:00pm-1:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Join us to mix your own, personal essential oil blend. All materials will be provided.
Registration is required. Spots are limited. Sign up at http://bit.ly/MindfulArtSignUp
Cooking With SJSU Garden
Friday, March 13
11:00am-12:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Happy Friyay! Nourish yourself with delectable plant-based meals and snacks. Cook with Wellness & Health Student Kitchen ambassadors and Food Management Professor, Jamie Kubota. Enjoy a cooking demo and gourmet tasting with the Student Kitchen. Meals will use fresh campus garden fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Native Bee Home Making
Tuesday, March 17
11:00-1:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm
SJSU Community Garden
This a 2 session series with a break in the middle. Did you know that three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and around 35% of the world’s food crops depend on pollination by animals?* Bees are one of the many important pollinators that we rely on for the food we eat. Stop by the Community Garden to learn more about ways we can help the native bees in the community and help make Native Bee homes that will be used in the Community Garden and donated to the community. Register in advance here. Spaces are limited.
Mindful Art In The Garden: Succulent-Inspired Painting
Wednesday, March 25
12:00pm-1:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Paint a picture of the beautiful succulents growing in our garden. Then take it home to decorate your walls. All materials will be provided - no experience necessary.
Mindful Art In The Garden: Birdhouse Painting For The Garden
Wednesday, April 8
12:00pm-1:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Help us beautify the garden and attract more birds. We will be painting small wooden birdhouses for our garden, or for yours. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. Spots are limited. Sign up at http://bit.ly/MindfulArtSignUp
Social Justice Tiles
Tuesday, April 14
12:00pm-2:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Be a part of the movement for change and share your story! The Community Garden is installing Social Justice Tiles and Tile Mosaics in the around the garden and needs your help to decorate the tiles that will be installed. Register in advance here. Spaces are limited.
Build-Your-Own Kitchen Herb Pot
Wednesday, April 22
4:00pm-5:00pm
Tower Lawn
Want a free supply of herbs year-round? Learn how to combine your favorite herbs and leafy greens to form a beautiful and functional planter. Take home a little ecosystem in a container. All materials provided by SJSU Garden. Register in advance here. Spaces are limited.
Mindful Art In The Garden: Sound Healing & Reiki Meditation
Wednesday, April 29
12:00-1:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Reset your mind and body to prepare for finals. Experience the healing arts of Sound Healing and Reiki Meditation. We will close with an end-of-semester potluck celebration. BYOM/BYOS (bring your own mat/bring your own snack to share).
One Thousand Crane Project - Part 3
Tuesday, May 5
12:00-2:00pm
SJSU Campus Garden
Join us in creating 1,000 Origami paper cranes to show our support for a peaceful
world without nuclear weapons. The event is in remembrance of those affected by the
bombing of Hiroshima. The aftermath of the WWII nuclear bombing was brought to the
attention of the world through the children’s novel, Sadako and the Thousand Paper
Cranes. The cranes made will be sent to the Children’s Peace Memorial in Hiroshima.
If inclement weather occurs, the event will be held in the CCCAC office, Student Union,
Suite 1550.
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Location
372 E. San Salvador St.San Jose, CA 95112
The garden is located near the intersection of 8th and East San Salvador, directly across the street from the Dining Commons.
