Opportunities for Campus Involvement
As part of the Center for Sustainability, the Forge Garden collaborates with several campus partners to organize inclusive events and programs that foster sustainability. These opportunities are designed to engage the campus community and inspire long-lasting behavioral changes.
Programs
Farm StandShop locally-grown organic produce through our weekly, donation-based farm stand. Find student and community hours.
- Volunteer Work Days
All are welcome to drop by The Forge Garden. Possible activities include planting seasonal crops, building compost piles, spreading mulch, harvesting, and seeding in the greenhouse. Come ready to work with sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and clothes that can get dirty.
- Glean Team
Harvest excess fruit from trees on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood to prevent food waste and to re-distribute the produce to others. Email theforge@scu.edu to get trained as a leader or to get involved!
- Weekend Workshops
The Forge Garden hosts four workshops each quarter focused on urban agriculture skills, cooking, and garden crafts. All workshops are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. RSVP here. Location: 1051 Sherman St. Santa Clara, CA
- Plant Sale
We host two plant sales annually, during the spring and fall quarters. All plant starts are grown at The Forge Garden greenhouse and are certified organic. Plant selection includes a wide variety of open-pollinated and hybrid annual vegetable seeds selected for the Santa Clara growing climate.
- Nourish Nights
Nourish Nights was created to support the physical and mental health of our campus community while addressing food insecurity at SCU. A group of volunteer students, faculty, and staff prepares a plant-based meal using ingredients from the garden. The free biweekly meal is served to any students who stop by, and the garden is open as a gathering space for Broncos to connect.
Food Systems FellowshipSustainable Food Systems Fellows lead a research project to study campus food systems at Santa Clara University to increase understanding of campus food systems’ environmental and social impact and identify actionable steps for improving these systems. The Fellowship provides practical experience and strengthens students’ skills for future academic endeavors, early-career jobs, and graduate school research.
Garden ApprenticeshipThe Garden Apprenticeship is designed to teach students urban agriculture skills and strengthen student leadership within the community. Apprentices pick an area of interest to specialize in for the quarter. The group will learn and share knowledge with others during weekly meetings and community workdays, and lead student-focused workshops as a team.
Summer Garden InternshipThe Center for Sustainability's Garden Programs offers a 100-hour summer internship. Students will learn the hands-on skills of growing food while building community and connecting to the land.
- Events
The Forge Garden hosts a number of family-oriented, community events throughout the academic year such as the Fall Harvest Festival, KSCU concert, OWL Coffeehouse, Garden Prom, tUrn events (Barnless barn dance, good market), and the Sustainability Celebration.
- Reserving Event Space
Is your student group or class interested in enjoying green spaces, learning new skills, or bonding over worms? The Forge Garden hosts opportunities throughout the year for work parties, to educational talks, or cooking/crafting events. Students and Faculty can reserve space here for events at the Forge.
Faculty looking to schedule class activities with the Center for Sustainability can reserve a class session in the Forge here.
- Bronco Pantry
We supply the Office of Student Life's Food Insecurity Program with fresh produce from our garden and neighboring fruit trees.
