The IVCSD sponsors two gardens located at the United Methodist Church and at the Isla Vista Community Center. At both of our gardens, community members can come together to grow, nurture, and harvest plants as a community. IVCSD’s Community Gardens are brought to you in partnership with The University United Methodist Church (UUMe), and UCSB’s Edible Campus Program (ECP).

We believe that one of the best ways to build pride in one’s community and bonds amongst neighbors is through growing food together and sharing that food in community. There are no individual plots at either of the gardens supported through this grant. Instead, community members come together to grow together, nurture the plants together, and harvest together. Every volunteer, even if they only volunteer for a few hours, is able to take a bounty of food home.

UCSB ECP oversees the maintenance and management of the gardens. ECP hires core operational interns to manage the garden and direct volunteers, but our program really blossoms through the many volunteers that support the gardens. In the past year alone, we have engaged 551 volunteers and engaged 1,699 community members including long term residents as well as students.

Get Involved:

ECP manages volunteering and maintenance at IVCSD's community gardeens, as well as 4 other separate gardens in and around Isla Vista:

• St. Michael’s University Church Community Garden 
• Greenhouse and Garden Project
• Family Student Housing Storke Garden
• Family Student Housing West Campus Garden

To volunteer at IVCSD's Community Gardens and to receive produce, follow The Edible Campus Program (ECP) to stay up to date on future volunteer opportunities!