Community Garden

The future home of the Gavilan Community Garden Image Rendering

Overview

The ASGC Community Garden is a student-led initiative designed to create a permanent, sustainable space on campus that supports student well-being, hands-on learning, and community connection.

Located behind the CDC building and next to GECA on the Gilroy Campus, the community garden will serve as an outdoor classroom, living laboratory, and community hub where students and community members can engage with sustainability, agriculture, and applied STEM in a real-world setting.

This project reflects the commitment of the Associated Students of Gavilan College (ASGC) to invest in initiatives that create lasting legacy and impact for current and future students.

Take Action & Complete this form to: Get Involved Today

Our Vision

The ASGC Community Garden is built on a simple idea:

A campus space where students can grow food, grow knowledge, and grow together.

We envision a garden that:

Supports student wellness and belonging
Provides hands-on, experiential learning opportunities
Expands access to fresh, locally grown food
Creates pathways into agriculture, sustainability, and STEM careers
Strengthens connections between students, faculty, and the local community

Why It Matters

The Gavilan Community Garden serves as a long-term investment in student success, wellness, and community impact. Research and local data show that food access, experiential learning, and belonging are directly connected to student retention, academic achievement, and stronger communities.

Student Wellness

Food insecurity is directly connected to lower academic performance, poorer physical and mental health, and reduced persistence toward degree completion. Students experiencing food insecurity often face higher levels of stress, anxiety, and barriers to graduation. The Community Garden creates a calm, welcoming space centered around nourishment, connection, and purpose, helping students feel supported both personally and academically.

Student Hunger on Campus and Its Impact on Academic Performance and Health

Food Access

Between 20% and 50% of college students across the United States experience food insecurity, and approximately 38% of students at two-year colleges report difficulty accessing enough food. In Gilroy, a December 2025 study found an estimated food insecurity rate of 22.6%. The Community Garden helps create a sustainable source of fresh produce for El Mercado, the Gavilan Farmers Market, and other campus food programs while reducing stigma around receiving support and making access to healthy food more normal and dignified.

Santa Clara University Food Insecurity Study

College Students and SNAP: The New Face of Food Insecurity

Experiential Learning

The USDA projects approximately 104,766 annual job openings each year in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment between 2025 and 2030, with nearly 90% of those roles preferring at least an associate degree. The Community Garden creates a living laboratory where students can apply classroom knowledge through hands-on learning, sustainability projects, research opportunities, and future academic pathways such as certificates and an Associate Degree in Sustainable Agriculture.

USDA Employment Outlook for Agriculture Graduates

Community Engagement

Community gardens are nationally recognized as high-impact practices that improve access to nutritious food, strengthen community connection, and advance food justice. They create opportunities for students, faculty, local farms, nonprofits, and community partners to collaborate through workshops, volunteerism, research, and shared stewardship. The Gavilan Community Garden is designed to be a place where the campus and the broader community can learn, contribute, and grow together.

Community Gardens and Access to Healthy Foods

Community Gardens, Food Justice, and Social Cohesion

Project History

The Community Garden began as a student-led vision and has grown through extensive research, collaboration, and advocacy.

Mid Spring 2025: Concept developed by ASGC student leaders Josh Williams and Nikita Meshcheryakov
Late Spring 2025: VP of Agriculture role was developed to oversee and manage the community garden, introduced, and approved by ASGC.
Fall 2025 - Research Phase: Student leaders conducted outreach, gathered feedback, and explored comparable programs
January 29th, 2026 - ASGC Resolution Passed: ASGC Officially passed the resolution "Establishing the Gavilan Community Garden and its Infrastructure in Perpetuity"
Campus Collaboration: Partnerships formed with faculty, staff, clubs, and administrators
February 23rd, February 24th, and February 25th 2026 Campus Feedback: Feedback was gathered from students across 3 days gathering over 750 interactions, and 104 written comments about what students would like to see regarding the community garden.

March 17th, 2026 - Academic Senate Approval: Amendments were finalized and Academic Senate Approved the resolution "Establishing the Gavilan Community Garden and its Infrastructure in Perpetuity"
March 25th, 2026 - Site Selection: Proposed location identified near CDC and Allied Health/Nursing in collaboration with Capital Projects and Facilities.
Tuesday April 12th, 2026 Board Approval: The location for the community garden was officially approved by the Board of Trustees
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 Earth Day: Groundbreaking celebration held with campus and community participation

This project represents a full year of due diligence, problem-solving, and collaboration across the campus and regional community.

Timeline & Next Steps

Phase 1: Development (Summer 2026)

Garden installation and planting
Program development
Community partnerships

Phase 2: Inauguration (Fall 2026)

Community Garden grand opening

Work begins on the community garden
Volunteer opportunities open for participation

Phase 3: Expansion (Future)

Workforce certificates and academic integration
Potential degree pathways in sustainable agriculture
Expanded facilities and programming to Hollister Campus

What the Garden Will Include

Raised garden beds
Irrigation systems
Outdoor learning spaces
Areas for student projects and research
Potential integration of technology and sensors for monitoring crops
Space for workshops, events, and community engagement

Academic & Career Opportunities

The Community Garden is designed to support academic pathways and workforce development.

Students may gain experience in:

Sustainable agriculture
Environmental science
Biology and chemistry applications
Data collection and analysis
Ag technology and innovation

Future plans include:

Workforce-aligned certificates
Integration into coursework
Internship and research opportunities

Community Partnerships

This project is supported by collaboration with:

Campus faculty and departments
Student organizations and clubs
Local farms and agricultural partners
Community organizations focused on sustainability and food access

These partnerships help ensure the garden remains relevant, sustainable, and impactful.

Get Involved

Click here to get involved today!

The Community Garden is for the entire Gavilan community.

You can get involved by:

Volunteering
Participating in garden events
Joining student organizations connected to the project
Contributing ideas and feedback

More opportunities will be shared as the project continues to grow.

Looking Ahead

The ASGC Community Garden is just the beginning.

Over the next several years, this space will continue to evolve into:

A fully integrated learning environment
A hub for student engagement and leadership
A model for sustainability and community impact

This is a long-term investment in the future of Gavilan College and its students.

Contact / Learn More

For more information or to get involved, please contact:

ASGC VP of Agriculture

asgcvpagriculture@my.gavilan.edu