Marin Academy Eco-Council

Garden

The Garden Committee works to create and maintain a highly productive organic garden that will support the new MA cafeteria, compost MA’s food, grow delicious crops, and provide a beautiful and natural getaway for MA students.

Contacts:
Arthur Baker, Mikayla McVey, Bendix Carabetta, Alex Crane ’07, Woods Buckley ’07, Wyatt Hayman ’07

Sample Work:
Thus far, we have completed extensive construction that includes fully functioning irrigation and drainage systems, four raised beds, and a large set of compost bins created from pieces of concrete that were found on-site and mortared together. We have planted a small fruit orchard that includes apple, pear, and nectarine trees. While learning the art of masonry, we created a circular stone herb garden and we built a patio that can be used by students and teachers while conducting classes or simply as a place to relax.

Among the many plants grown in the garden are lettuces, spinach, kale, squash, corn, eggplant, pumpkins, tomatoes, tomatillas, peas, beans, sunflowers, and many types of herbs. We have an extensive patch of native raspberries. The garden and composting system is integrated into our freshman biology curriculum and Minicourse, and other academic classes are beginning to use it, too. We are excited that the garden will be integrated in our food service program beginning in 2007–08.

How can others get involved?
We need people who love nature and don’t mind getting dirty. Other than that, an open and eager mind is all you need.