Aspen’s Community Garden
Our Vision
Our vision is to make a transformative difference in Fresno by collaborating with students, families, staff, partners and community members to create a thriving garden that is used as a tool for education, and community and economic development
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We currently have garden plots available for use for free! We provide orientation, educational resources, and a shared tool system. You can download the application or contact us for a printed copy.
Gardener Application and Agreement (English)
Gardener Application and Agreement (Spanish)
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Want to reserve our space? It is open to the community, start by filling out our FORM.
Get Involved
This is a community space, and we invite our whole community to show up! Aspen families, neighbors, and community members are part of making decisions, building the space, and making our garden beautiful. We are always in need of people who can volunteer time and resources.
Fill out our FORM to get regular updates and help us get to know you!
Our Story
Aspen Community Garden (1415 E Saginaw Way, Fresno, California) is located across the street from Aspen Meadow Public School. This property was owned by Fresno First Baptist Church from 1992 - 2022. During this time, the church and surrounding neighbors used this space as the “Arnold Community Garden.” Families from the neighborhood were using small parts of the land to grow food for many years, but at some point around the time of COVID-19, everything stopped. After about five years of no use, Aspen Public Schools purchased the property along with the campus of Aspen Meadow Public School.
As Aspen became a community school in 2024, our team recognized the gift of the land, and the potential to turn it back into a community garden and bring transformation to the neighborhood. The school board approved the project in November 2023, and work began in 2024!
Goals
Family and Community
Learning Student learning and leadership
Leadership Collaboration
Community and Environmental Health
Ways to Connect
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Join us on a Wednesday or Saturday work day or for a special event! View upcoming workday flyers here in English or in Spanish)
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Purchase or share a gently used item from our Wishlist
Garden Leadership Team
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Jessica is the Director of Community Schools and is a parent at Aspen Meadow. She has worked in the Aspen Community Garden neighborhood for many years as a Pastor at Fresno First Baptist Church and as Founder/Director of Central Valley Justice Coalition.
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Lisa has been dedicated to the neighborhood and families at Aspen Meadow for over eight years as the founding Principal.
Mrs. Taylor has served Aspen Public Schools as a middle-school teacher and character program coordinator at Aspen Valley Prep (2008-2016). She is a founding member and site director of Aspen Meadow Public School (2016-present).
Mrs. Taylor received her Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies/Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Fresno, and a Masters of Arts in Education Administration/Administration Credential from Concordia University, Irvine. She and her husband, Johnny, have three adult daughters, three sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. Helping children grow into socioemotionally healthy, physically strong, and academically successful people is her life's passion.
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Garden Education Coordinator
Claire Doles joined the Aspen team in 2024 after graduating from Fresno State with a degree in Plant Science. She works part time at the Aspen Meadow campus, and is the key leader responsible for the day - to - day operations and educational impact of the Community Garden.
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Andrea is the Executive Pastor of Fresno First Baptist Church.
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Nikki attends Fresno First Baptist Church and works as a freelance bookkeeper. Prior to moving to Fresno in 2022, Nikki lived in Los Angeles and was a member of her local backyard garden club. She loves working with young children and being out in nature.
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Plant Engineer at True Organic Products, Inc, Nic helped re-launch the garden by co-creating the business plan and garden design. He consults on all technical and agricultural matters for the garden, and is a parent at Aspen Meadow.
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Avninder joined the Aspen team in 2022, bringing a strong business administration and marketing background. Before joining Aspen, Avninder spent four years in the logistics and transportation industry, gaining valuable experience in operations and strategic planning. Now serving as a Business Manager, Avninder oversees Aspen's marketing strategies and financial operations while coordinating various activities to ensure alignment with the Aspen’s mission and vision.
Partner with Aspen Community Garden
Please join us in partnership! We will proudly share far and wide about your investment into our community. All donations are tax-deductible. We are so grateful for our partners who are making this a true community garden! We couldn’t do it without you.
Meet Our Partners
Upcoming Events
Aspen Community Garden!
Our community schools coordinator shared important updates and insights about the ongoing developments at the Aspen Community Garden.
Student Learning!
Learn more about the community garden from students as they describe how it positively impacts their local community. Through this project, students gain valuable skills and see the direct benefits of their work.
The garden serves as a living classroom, teaching the importance of sustainability, collaboration, and giving back.