Vallejo People's Garden
To have healthy people, they must have access to healthy food. This idea is the driving force behind the City of Vallejo's People's Garden. As part of the local community, Touro University California is a proud part of the project.
The Garden
The Vallejo People's Garden (VPG) is a collaboration of many different individual volunteers and partner organizations including Touro University California. Volunteers and supporters became involved because they believe in the VPG's purposes:
- Promote health and wellness in our Vallejo community
- Grow organic fruits and vegetables for those who are most in need
- Improve our environment by taking care of water, soil, and wildlife
- Create educational opportunities for children and adults
- Encourage social and cultural connections across neighborhoods
People's Gardens educate children and adults about the environment, agriculture, sustainable practices and science. They help create the next generation of farmers, gardeners, teachers, leaders and active community members. Gardens expand the ability of citizens from all cultural, ethnic and geographic backgrounds to share their traditions and beliefs. They are a neutral gathering place that fosters interaction. Gardens beautify communities and cultivate self-sufficiency. In World War II, Victory Gardens produced 40% of the fresh fruits and vegetables in the United States. Gardens provide therapy for the soul and healing for the spirit.
The History
The Vallejo People's Garden began as a partnership between a non-profit life skills training center, a federal agency and a visionary Vallejo citizen, all within a mile of each other on Mare Island:
- Global Center for Success is a 501(c)(3) on Mare Island that provides supportive human services and programs to the homeless and needy. GCS helps with life skills training, health and job skills training.
- The Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service employs over 200 people. Employees have helped to build the Vallejo People's Garden from the ground up, following the example set by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack when he started a garden next to USDA offices on the National Mall in 2009. Volunteering allows Forest Service employees to meet and volunteer alongside their Vallejo neighbors after work and on weekends.
- Vilma Aquino is the pioneering spirit behind the Vallejo People's Garden. A resident of Mare Island, Vilma's vision was to convert the vacant lot at the corner of East Poplar and Oscar Streets on Mare Island into a garden to grow organic fruits and vegetables for the homeless, provide a place for people to learn about sustainable gardening practices and to grow friendship and community.
The official ground-breaking began fall of 2009.
Grant funding for materials came from Nature's Path Organic Foods and Organic Gardening Magazine as a result of winning their nationwide Gardens For Good online contest. Two gardens won this grant in 2010, out of 267 proposals.
Once the funding arrived, volunteers came from all over Vallejo and beyond to help build the garden—digging trenches for the irrigation system, building raised beds, planting trees and raising seedlings. Residents of surrounding neighborhoods and students from Touro University volunteer every Saturday morning, alongside volunteers from as far away as Berkeley and Fairfield.
Location
Vallejo People's Garden is located behind:
1055 Azuar Avenue
Mare Island, CA 94592
E-mail: info@vallejopeoplesgarden.org