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 (Program Closed Until Further Notice)

We've temporarily put a pause on our volunteer opportunities in light of Shelter in Place. Stay updated by following us on Instagram (@sjsucccac) and subscribing to our Newsletter below.

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".

Events

Painting Medicinal Garden Beds
Thursdays, February 11 and March 4, 4:30pm, IG LIVE @sjsucccac
Painting is a great way to destress and express yourself! Tune into the CCCAC’s IG Live to watch us paint wooden planter beds for the new medicinal garden. Feel free to paint alongside us from home.

Self Care from the Garden: DIY Herbal Bath Blend
Thursday, February 18, 12-1pm, IG Live @sjsucccac
After going through 2020, we could all use a little self-care. Learn how to create an herbal bath soak with dried flowers and herbs grown right in our campus garden. Students who register and attend will receive FREE materials to make their own herbal bath soak blend! Supplies are limited. Sign up at http://bit.ly/S21GardenEvents

UPROOTING RACISM: IN THE KITCHEN WITH SOUL FIRE FARM
Tuesday, February 23, 2-3pm, IG Live @sjsucccac
We're whippin' up something special over here with Kitchen Magician/Farmer/Food Justice Coordinator, Brooke Bridges, of Soul Fire Farm. Join us to learn about the radical work Soul Fire Farm is doing to uproot racism in the food system through farming, activism, community building, and so much more. Brooke will also be demoing a recipe developed by SFF's Kitchen Magicians!

Self Care from the Garden: DIY Essential Oil Blend
Thursday, March 11, 12-1pm, IG Live @sjsucccac
Learn the benefits of incorporating essential oils into your day-to-day life and self-care routine. Sophia will be demonstrating how she makes blends for everyday use. Students who register and attend will receive their own FREE essential oil blend! Supplies are limited. Sign up at http://bit.ly/S21GardenEvents

Self Care from the Garden: Yoga with Sophia
Friday, April 16, 6-7pm, Zoom
Join Sophia for a relaxing and restorative yoga class where you will be led through a series of poses on the floor using only a bolster and your mat! Registration required. Sign up here to receive Zoom link:
http://bit.ly/S21GardenEvents

Food Justice Panel
Monday, April 19, 3:30-5pm, Zoom
Decolonization is at the heart of food and environmental justice. Come learn what roles we can play in uplifting & empowering communities who are most negatively impacted by food and environmental justice issues, from the perspective and direct experiences of organizations and individuals working at the forefront of Environmental and Food Justice. Register at bit.ly/FoodJusticePanel2021