Campus Community Garden

WINTER 2022-23 HOURS

The garden will have limited volunteer and open hours during the winter break.

December 19th - January 27th

Volunteer/Open Hours:
Tuesday December 20th & Tuesday January 10th from 8am-12pm
Please register at https://linktr.ee/SJSUGarden.

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.

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

Garden Events Calendar Spring '23

Dried Flower Bouquet Workshop
Tuesday, February 14, 9am-12pm
It’s Valentines Day! Build your own bouquet for that special someone!

Chavez-Huerta-Itliong Month: Days of Action
Mondays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 12-2:30pm
Engage in various civic engagement opportunities at the garden.

Natural Tye-Dye Workshop
Tuesday, March 14, 11am-1pm
Make tie-dye creations using natural dyes from the garden.

Terrariums & Tea
Wednesday, March 22, 2-4pm
Build your own Island Terrarium and enjoy organic tea from the garden.

Vegetarian Essentials
Friday, April 7, 11am-1pm
Learn how to incorporate vegetarian meals in your diet.

Garden Movie Night: The Biggest Little Farm
Wednesday, April 12, 7:45-9:45pm
Free snacks, swag and a movie!

Garden 10th Birthday Party
Thursday, May 4, 5-7pm
Celebrate a entire decade since the creation of the campus community garden.

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 

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/nextgenS23

IMPORTANT DATES 

Friday, October 14: Applications open
Monday, November 14: Applications Close
Friday, November 18: Acceptance letters sent out
Wednesday, November 23: Students Commitment to program

MANDATORY MEETING DATES

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

Retreat: Friday, February 10, 10:00am-3:00pm
Session 1: Friday, February 17, 9:00am-12:00am, 12-2pm
Session 2: Friday, February 24, 9:00am-12:00pm, 12-2pm
Session 3: Friday, March 3, 9:00am-12:00pm, 12-2pm
Session 4: Friday, March 10, 9:00am-12:00pm, 12-2pm
Celebration: Friday, March 17, 12-2pm

Questions?
Contact Matthew Spadoni, Garden Coordinator, at matthew.spadoni@sjsu.edu. This event is wheelchair accessible. Please contact Matthew at the soonest for any sign language interpreter or other accommodation requests.