Garden Classroom

SSU students have maintained a food-producing organic garden on campus since the 1970’s.

The Campus Garden is a hidden gem, located next to the Environmental Technology Center. The garden serves as a demonstration and teaching tool for students, the greater SSU community and the public. Through internships, volunteering, and classroom experiences, students gain a sense of place, community, purpose, and an enriched academic experience. Showcasing sustainable landscape practices and how these contribute to biodiversity and environmental health is a primary goal of the Campus Garden along with growing different varieties of healthy organic fruits and vegetables. Well over 1000 pounds of produce representing dozens of different food crops are donated annually to local food banks including (NOAH – Neighbors Organized Against Hunger), based on Snyder Lane only a few blocks from campus and SSU's very own Lobo's Food Pantry.

We welcome your involvement, support, questions and input. Please contact the faculty supervisor Professor, Daniel Soto for more information daniel.soto@sonoma.edu.

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I am a senior graduating Spring of 2022 with a degree in Geography, Environment, and Planning. Working for the campus garden is what has inspired me to pursue a career in sustainable agriculture and land stewardship related fields and is one of my favorite parts of my on campus experience. Some groups I am involved with on campus are Students for Sustainability and GEP Club. I have additionally worked for the Center for Environmental Inquiry as a Trail Steward and Naturalist. In addition to the garden, I also currently work for Green Valley Community Farm and the Community Soil Foundation. When not in the fields I enjoy crocheting with my cat, swimming in the river, hiking, and cooking. My favorite part about my job is finding frogs in the irrigation boxes, making connections with the people receiving our weekly harvest donations, and making new friends on volunteer days.

Want hands-on garden-based work for academic credit? Take Agroecology in Practice (GEP 318)

This course provides a broad introduction to the design and management of agroecosystems. Students explore the theory and practice of agroecology and how it's principles address social and environmental problems in the global food system. Students are introduced to agroecological production methods, including soil management, water systems, biodiversity development, integrated pest management, flower production and urban gardening methods, and applications of these methods in a student garden. Approximately half of this course is classroom-based instruction while the other half is hands-on garden-based work. Credit / No Credit only. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 4 units.

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Geography, Environment, & Planning

Garden Classroom

SSU students have maintained a food-producing organic garden on campus since the 1970’s.

cosmos

Sophia Pruden, Campus Garden Steward