Community Garden
Our Story
What better way to use a patch of vacant ground on campus than to turn it into a productive community garden? Brett Stevenson, Dean of Students of Hillsdale High School, and his team broke ground on the long-awaited garden project in April 2022 and have since transformed the space beyond recognition.
The generosity of the Hillsdale community has been the driving force behind the project. Donations raised through Hillsdale's Peace Pantry have funded the initial construction of the garden and its ongoing maintenance.
The primary purpose of the garden is to provide additional produce for the Hillsdale Peace Pantry, our emergency food drive-thru that serves approximately 130 school families each week. Now we can add organic fruits and vegetables harvested from our very own garden to the food boxes.
Coming Together
One of the other goals of the garden is to create a space for students, staff and community members to gather and have a greater sense of connection. The garden brings together volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, including students, faculty, parents, local businesses, alumni families and San Mateo County Master Gardeners who continue to support us with their valuable knowledge and expertise.
Seasonal Produce for our Peace Pantry
Our garden went from a barren plot of land to 12 garden beds, then grew to 19 beds, and now to 28 beds. Additionally, we’ve added a citrus grove, grape vines, stone fruit trees, pollinators, a succulent path, and Earthworm compost bins.
All of these additions have allowed us to produce 1500 pounds of produce in our first year, 2100 pounds in our second year, and we are on track to grow 3000 pounds of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables this year!!
Every week, our harvest supplements the donations from Second Harvest at our Peace Pantry.