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 healthy food, learn about sustainable organic garden practices and earn service learning hours.

The garden is located at 372 E. San Salvador Street (across from the Dining Commons)

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, faculty, and the surrounding community 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.

Summer Video Update

• 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 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 

  • Volunteers are welcome on first come first serve basis. To reserve your spot for volunteer days, please sign up here: https://linktr.ee/SJSUGarden.

    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. All reservations for fall must be submitted by Friday February 21st, 2025. Requests for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays will be prioritized. 

    For faster inquiries, please email sjsucommunitygarden@gmail.com with the subject line: "Project Request" or "Tours at the garden".

• Spring 2025 Hours

  • Effective: January 25 - May 10 2025

    Volunteer Hours:
    Thursdays and Saturdays 9:30am-11:30am

    Come volunteer to help us grow food for students while learning about sustainability and gardening!

    Please register at https://linktr.ee/SJSUGarden.

    Open Hours:
    Tuesdays 10am - 2pm

    Drop in to the garden any time during our open hours to chat, explore the garden, hang out in between classes, relax, or do homework. 

    Registration for open hours is not necessary. 

• Garden Events Calendar Spring '25

  • Garden Movie Nights with Real Food Challenge
    Farming While Black: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18 - 6PM-8PM
    Organic Rising: THURSDAY APRIL 17 - 7:45PM-10PM
    Learn about food justice through engaging films in the garden with our friends at Real Food Challenge!

    Petals and Perspectives
    TUESDAY MARCH 11TH - 2PM-4PM
    Dried flower bouquets, garden mocktails, and journaling in celebration of Women's History Month!

    Chavez-Huerta-Itliong Day of Action in the Garden 
    TUESDAY MARCH 25 - 2PM-4PM
    Join us in the garden to get hands on while learning about local agricultural history!

    API Heritage Month Cooking Workshop
    THURSDAY APRIL 10 - 3PM-5PM
    Come cook with fresh garden produce in celebration of API Heritage Month!

Next Generation: Garden Leadership Program 

Application Closed. Check back in Fall 2025.

Next Generation: The Campus Community Garden Leadership 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
Attend all Next Generation sessions to receive stipend

Application Link: tinyurl.com/NextGen2025

IMPORTANT DATES 

Monday, October 21: Applications open
Monday November 18th: Applications Close
Friday, November 22nd: Acceptance letters sent out
Friday, November 29: Students Commitment to program

MANDATORY MEETING DATES

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

Session 1: Friday Feb 7th 2025 - 9am-1pm
Session 2: Friday Feb 14th 2025 - 9am-12pm
Session 3: Friday Feb 21 2025 - 9am-12pm
Session 4: Friday Feb 28 2025 - 9am-12pm
Session 5: Friday March 7 2025 - 9am-12pm
Session 6 - Friday March 14 2025 - 9am-12pm 

Questions?
Contact Ruby Howard, Garden Coordinator, at ruby.howard@sjsu.edu.