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. 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. Garden volunteers are allowed to take home produce harvested 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 harvest 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.
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 

The Garden will be open to volunteers this semester! Our volunteer days and times are Mondays from 12-2pm and Fridays from 9:30-11:30am.
Students can register at bit.ly/GardenVolunteerFall2021

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 (Program Closed Until Further Notice)

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".

Next Generation: Garden Fellowship

Next Generation: The Campus Community Garden Fellowship Program offers students an opportunity to dive into the topic of environmental justice efforts that ties into scholarship, intersectionality, and practicality. Throughout this program, students will learn and network with experts in the environmental justice movements with a focus on intersectionality such as race, gender, class, etc. Additionally, students will receive hands-on experience on how to include environmental justice practices  in their everyday lives through learning basic gardening and environmental justice skills at the campus community garden. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES/BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS 

• Students will gain a deeper understanding of environmental justice issues impacting marginalized communities through observation and learning from experts.
• Students will  find their agency and authentic voice by expressing their needs and experiences through our programs and events. 
• Students will feel empowered to explore their passions and further gain confidence in leadership.
• Students will enhance their critical thinking skills by examining and challenging personal acts of oppression, identify and articulate the values and processes that lead to an inclusive and democratic community, and encourage students to take action in their local and global communities.
• Students will gain an understanding of how to work with and advocate for marginalized communities. 
• Students will have a clear understanding of how to be environmental justice philanthropists and advocates in both personal and professional lives. 

BENEFITS 

• Gain a deeper understanding of environmental justice issues 
  Develop confidence in leadership skills 
• Meet students with similar passions and interests in environmental justice 
  Learn basic gardening/farming skills
• Earn $1,000 stipend after successful completion of the program 

QUALIFICATIONS

As long as you're passionate about environmental justice and can articulate that in the essay section, you are qualified for the program!  

Other qualifications: 
Good academic standing 
GPA of 2.5 and higher 
Good conduct standing

Application Link: https://tinyurl.com/nextgenS22

IMPORTANT DATES 

APPLICATIONS: JANUARY 15-FEBRUARY 7, 2022
ACCEPTANCE DAY: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022
PROGRAM START DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022

MANDATORY MEETING DATES

**ATTENDANCE FOR ALL SESSIONS IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE THE $1,000 STIPEND

NEXT GENERATION SUMMIT 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 9:00AM-3:00pm 

NEXT GENERATION SESSION 1 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 9AM-12PM 

NEXT GENERATION SESSION 2
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 9AM-12PM 

NEXT GENERATION SESSION 3 
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 9AM-12PM 

NEXT GENERATION SESSION 4 
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 9AM-12PM 

NEXT GENERATION CELEBRATION 
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 12:00-2:00pm

Questions?
Contact Kaitlyn Meyer, Garden Coordinator, at kaitlyn.meyer@sjsu.edu. This event is wheelchair accessible. Please contact Kaitlyn at the soonest for any sign language interpreter or other accommodation requests.