Kids deserve to grow up in the sunlight and dirt. Research shows that outdoor time and participating in gardening are two incredible tools for raising healthy, happy kids.
Take the family garden challenge: commit to gardening with your kids at least once a month. You don’t have to be a gardener yourself – there are farms and gardens to visit, and experts out there to help you do it at home. It can be as big as a volunteer day at a local farm, or as small as planting a carrot seed in an old rainboot. It’s not about scale!
I’ve started to document places you can garden with kids in Silicon Valley – a quick reference for our little corner of the world. Right now, I’ve covered Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. I promise, I’ll expand soon!
Know of a place not listed here? Yipee! Email me and I’ll add it to the list.
Coastside (Half Moon Bay and Surrounding):
The HEAL Project
HEAL has a 2.5 acre farm underdevelopment. School tours and volunteering are both by appointment for now, see website for details!
Pie Ranch
Pescadero, CA
Opportunities: Tours and field trips (fee based), classes and workshops, internships for high school age youth!
East Palo Alto:
Collective Roots
East Palo Alto Charter School
1286 Runnymeade St.
East Palo Alto, CA
Volunteer Days: 3rd Saturday of the month, 9am-12pm. All ages welcome!
Other Opportunities: Backyard gardening network and free cooking classes (for EPA residents).
Los Altos Hills:
Hidden Villa
26870 Moody Road
Los Altos Hills, CA
Volunteer Days: Wednesday mornings in the organic garden (call first).
Opportunities: Open to the Public ($5 parking), Classes and Workshops, Field Trips.
San Jose:
La Mesa Verde
La Mesa Verde isn’t a farm, but it helps low-income families get their own home gardens off the ground. La Mesa Verde welcomes assistance from the public. To volunteer for La Mesa Verde, contact Raul Lozano at Sacred Heart Community Services, raull@sacredheartcs.org, 408-674-4135, or call Sacred Heart Community Services at 408-278-2171.
Veggielution
Youth leadership, food for all, and two of the prettiest acres you’ll ever see — at the back of Emma Prusch Park
647 South King Road
San Jose CA 95116
Family Day: 2nd Saturday of the month, 10am-2:30pm. All ages welcome!
Other Opportunities: Volunteering Tuesday-Saturday (take home free produce!), CSA box, on-site farmstand (sliding scale), classes and workshops
Sunnyvale:
Full Circle Farm
11 acres of crops, orchards and chickens in the heart of Silicon Valley
1055 Dunford Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Volunteer Days: Wednesdays & Saturdays, drop in/out, 10am-sundown. All ages welcome!
Other Opportunities: Free community festivals, on-site farmstand, CSA box, field trips for schools (fee-based), classes and workshops