Introduction to Matt Mangoni

🌱 Matt Mangoni is the manager of the SJSU Community Garden, overseeing all garden operations, program development, community engagement, and volunteer management.

About Matt

🌍 Matt shared his journey from New York to becoming a garden coordinator. He has a background in Environmental Science and has worked in various environmental roles, including as a hiking guide and environmental educator.

Garden History

🌿 The SJSU Community Garden was established in 2013 through student initiative, addressing food insecurity on campus. A survey revealed that 33% of students identified as food insecure.

Garden Operations

🍅 The garden spans about 1 acre and produces a variety of fruits and vegetables, including 20 fruit trees and 16 raised beds. In the past year, the garden has harvested around 420 pounds of food.

Community Engagement

🤝 The garden focuses on food insecurity and environmental justice, providing fresh produce to the Spartan Pantry and hosting educational workshops for students.

Signature Programs

🎉 The garden hosts various programs, including:

• Harvest Festival - Celebrating seasonal produce with cooking demos.
• Cooking Demos - Teaching students how to prepare healthy meals using garden produce.
• Garden Movie Nights - Community events featuring films related to agriculture and environmental justice.

Volunteer Opportunities

🌼 Students can volunteer every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday to learn about gardening and participate in various activities.

Environmental Justice

🌎 Environmental justice aims to ensure that all communities have equal access to a healthy environment, clean air, and nutritious food. At SJSU, this includes addressing food and housing security.

Conclusion

🌟 Matt encourages everyone to connect with their family history related to agriculture and to engage with the community garden for a hands-on experience in environmental stewardship.