Who We ArePacifica Gardens is a project of Pacifica's Environmental Family, a registered nonprofit organization whose goal is to "increase environmental awareness in the community and in the schools." The project is made possible by the combined efforts of many committed volunteers, local donors, and grant organizations.
The Pacifica Gardens mission is to
Educate • Cultivate • Inspire
the community to grow food locally.
A Little History What began as a dream of helping the community learn more about sustainable agriculture years ago has grown into a 30,000 square-foot garden due to the combined inspiration and efforts of committed individuals, the Livability Project, Pacifica’s Environmental Family, and the Pacifica School District.
Pacifica Gardens officially broke ground on April 12, 2008. Community volunteers joined the garden team and began de-sodding the soccer field at the Linda Mar Education Center. The “Sod Squad” worked tirelessly throughout the summer making extraordinary progress.
An official Ribbon Cutting ceremony took place on May 24, 2008. City dignitaries and school district officials joined garden volunteers and other members of the community in celebrating the grand opening of the garden.
After that initial turning of soil, the garden continued to draw many volunteers and increasing community interest. A core of regular volunteers emerged from the community to grow the garden with their energy and love. The garden project reached out to the community and has become not only a place to grow food, but a hub of community engagement – by hosting events such as the First Annual Harvest Fundraiser Dinner, Earth Day activities, and school group field trips.
Garden Milestones Read a year-by-year account of Pacifica Garden’s progress -- garden expansion, community engagement, education programs, fundraisers, and more.
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Pacifica Gardens VolunteersProjects Underway Projects underway in the garden itself are numerous, and are the foundation of other community projects related to the garden. The garden currently has 41 vegetable/crop beds, 3 herb beds, 8 native plant/flower beds and 20 fruit trees. In addition, our talented and resourceful volunteers reassembled a donated greenhouse and built 9 composters from reclaimed lumber. We compost green waste from a local grocery store in large passive berms. Native plant and vegetable start sales are held throughout the year.
Pacifica Gardens is involved in several community projects. The garden hosts elementary school field trips from the local school district. We also offer educational opportunities for teens in our Youth Community Service program. During the growing season we host free composting workshops, taught by graduates of San Mateo County Recyleworks Master Composter program.
The garden participates with other community groups in events such as Earth Day, Turn Off the TV Week, and the Pacifica Garden Club tour. And Pacifica Gardens in now partnering with Pacifica Resource Center and St. Edmund's Church to provide local families in need with fresh food donations right from the garden.
In The News
- Mar 21, 2012, Pacifica Tribune - 4-H Million Trees Project shelters Pacifica Gardens with natives and fruit trees
- Mar 14, 2012, Pacifica Tribune - Earth Day events have begun -- 4-H Million Trees and Pacifica Gardens plant trees, kick off Earth Day Season
- Oct 5, 2011, Pacifica Tribune - Simply Scrumptious Pacifica Gardens One Hundred Mile Meal celebrates local bounty
- April 30, 2011, San Jose Mercury News - Feeding the bee population, one sunflower at a time
- Nov 3, 2010, Pacifica Tribune - Community Garden Celebrates Harvest with 100-Mile Meal
- Oct 18, 2010, Pacifica Patch - Pacifica Gardens To Host Fundraiser Gala
- Oct 13, 2010, Pacifica Tribune - Pacifica Gardens hosting 'One-Hundred Mile Meal'
- Sep 8, 2010, Pacifica Tribune - Loretta O'Brien of Pacifica Gardens speaks to Garden Club
- Aug 4, 2010, Pacifica Tribune - Local kids are digging 'Pacifica Gardens' urban gardening project in Linda Mar
- Aug 2009, Coastviews Magazine - Harvesting a Community at Pacifica Gardens
- Jun 23, 2009, Pacifica Tribune - Pacifica Gardens sprouts beds for disabled people to use
- Jun 11, 2008, Pacifica Tribune - Community Celebrates Grand Opening of Pacifica Gardens
- Jun 4, 2008, San Francisco Examiner - A New Growth Strategy
- May 21, 2008, Pacifica Tribune - Community Gardeners Dig In
- Jan 23, 2008, Pacifica Tribune - New Community Garden Ready to Bloom
- Jan 21, 2008, San Mateo County Times - Organics Take the Field, Unused school property slated to be edible garden
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