Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden – where agriculture and young people blossom.

In 2008 Conservation Corps North Bay, 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 organic education farm and garden certified by Marin Organic Certified Agriculture (MOCA) located at College of Marin's Indian Valley Campus at 1800 Ignacio Blvd in Novato. As the first educational and training center of its kind in the North Bay, the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden is instrumental in:

The Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden provides Conservation Corps North Bay's corpsmembers with valuable year-round paid work study, job training, and education opportunities designed to help them obtain jobs in some of the North Bay's fastest growing green jobs sectors. As part of their work study experience at the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden, corpsmembers are for responsible for maintaining the garden infrastructure. Apply to become a Farm Corpsmember.

Training the next generation of sustainable agriculture and horticulture professionals

As the cornerstone for College of Marin’s broader Environmental Landscaping program, the popular Principles & Practices of Organic Farming core class offers a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on demonstration for people interested in sustainable agriculture and horticulture. Through these programs students can obtain their Associate's Degree or earn career certificates. The newly created Occupational Work Experience Program and first State Approved Apprenticeship Program for Organic Farming and Gardening gives students the opportunity to continue their education by combining academic studies, with practical, on the job experience. Enroll in College of Marin.

The Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden aims to provide 450 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 school field trips and community service days. Student garden projects and food systems/sustainability lessons will be led by UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, local farmers, and other community partners. To volunteer at the Farm, contact our volunteer hotline at 415 454-4554 ext. 276. For any group of 10 people or more who want to visit and tour the Farm, please register at 415-720-2051.

Additionally, the site hosts a variety of public workshops in sustainable horticulture and healthy food systems, which are taught by College of Marin, UC Cooperative Extension-Marin Master Gardeners, local farmers, and other guest lecturers. The general public also has the opportunity to participate in private tours of the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden's many demonstration gardens and sustainability exhibits. Visit the Farm.

As part of the learning process, students explore models of food-marketing, including direct marketing, Community Supported Agriculture, and Farmers Markets. Buy organic produce certified by Marin Organic Certified Agriculture (MOCA) at our Farm Stand and annual Fall and Spring Plant Sales.

See our Farm Wish List. For more information on the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden project, please contact Environmental Service & Farm Program Manager Jennie Pardi at (415) 454-4554 or (707)303-3069 ext. 279.