ANNUAL REPORT Download [PDF]

In 2006 CCNB, College of Marin, UC Cooperative Extension – Marin and other partners embarked on a landmark project to establish the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden – a 5.8 acre certified organic education farm and garden located at College of Marin's Indian Valley Campus. 

As the first educational and training center of it's kind in Marin, the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden will be instrumental in:

• Providing skill-based, entrepreneurial education and green job training opportunities for sustainable agricultural, landscaping, and horticulture professionals.
• Teaching middle, high school, and college students, CCNB corpsmembers, and local residents about the health and environmental benefits of eating local sustainably-produced food.
• Showcasing innovative sustainable growing and living practices for the people of Marin.
• Transforming the lives of underserved youth by providing hands-on green job training and field study opportunities.
• Improving community health by providing underserved families with affordable organic produce.
• Fostering collaboration between Marin nonprofits, local government agencies, and farmers working in sustainable agriculture/food systems, community health, and youth development.

The site is open year-round. Through its many educational offerings, community projects, and public demonstration gardens, the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden will provide valuable opportunities to an estimated 2,000-3,000 people per year once operating at full capacity.

The Farm & Garden's programs will include:

Hands-on agriculture & food systems education for middle & high school students

The Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden aims to provide 2,000 middle and high school students annually with hands-on garden projects and food systems/sustainability lessons designed to teach them about the interconnectedness of healthy food, environmental sustainability, public health, and related career opportunities.

Students will take part through CCNB's Project ReGeneration summer program, after-school Cesar Chavez Service Clubs serving Title 1 schools, our Youth in Environmental Service program, school field trips, and community service days. Studies show that youth who participate in garden-based nutrition education and school garden programs double their overall fruit and vegetable consumption, among other environmental, academic, and personal benefits.

Training the next generation of sustainable agriculture and horticulture professionals

As the cornerstone for College of Marin's Sustainable Horticulture program, Indian Valley Farm and Gardens will offer college courses and hands-on training for young people in sustainable agriculture and horticulture.  Course offerings will include such topics as: Horticultural Science & Systems, Permaculture, Healthy Food Systems, Vegetable & Fruit Production, Organic Disease & Pest Management, Soil & Water Management, Environmental Landscaping, Pesticides, Environment and Human Health, Plants, Genes, & Global Food Production, Composting, Farm Management. Enrolled students will be able to earn an Associate's Degree or Career Certificate.

Green jobs training for young people

The Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden will provide CCNB's corpsmembers (many from underserved communities) with valuable year-round field study, job training, and education opportunities designed to help them obtain jobs in some of Marin's fastest growing green jobs sectors. As part of their field study experience at the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden, corpsmembers will be responsible for maintaining the garden infrastructure and completing local watershed and creek restoration projects in the southern part of the garden site..

Community learning opportunities

Additionally, the site will host a variety of public workshops in sustainable horticulture and healthy food systems, which will be taught by College of Marin, UC Cooperative Extension-Marin Master Gardeners, local farmers, and other guest lecturers.  CCNB's AmeriCorps members will also publicize and lead hand-on community volunteer days at the site.  The general public will also have the opportunity to participate in private tours of the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden's many demonstration gardens and sustainability exhibits.

Affordable organic produce

As part of the learning process, students will explore models of food-marketing, including direct marketing, Community Supported Agriculture, and Farmers Markets. Farm produce can be purchased at our farm stand every Tuesday from 10 am to 3 pm, depending on weather and harvesting. Please bring your own bag.

Marin's Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden Nationally Recognized [PDF]

Indian Valley Organic Farm Garden 2009 Highlights [PDF]

Download Indian Valley Farm & Garden Fact Sheet [PDF]

For more information on the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden project, please contact Recycling & AmeriCorps Manager Will Becker at (415) 454-4554 ext. 270.

Learn more about our partners. College of Marin (COM) , UC Cooperative Extension - Marin.