Economic Development Takes Root in Visalia’s Newest Community Garden

On a plot of land in Visalia, hope is about to take root. After months of coordination, collaboration, and hard work, the City has approved the plan and budget for a new community garden. 

These early steps are part of a larger vision: to create a place that increases local access to healthy food, teaches hands-on growing and sustainable practices, creates pathways for food entrepreneurs, beautifies the neighborhood, and brings people together.

This project started as a community idea during the Sierra San Joaquin Jobs (S2J2) strategic planning phase last year. S2J2 is a four-county coalition, in partnership with California Jobs First, funded by the state, and tasked with answering a very big question: “What will it take to fundamentally transform our region and foster an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy?” 

After much research and conversation, Visalia community members and partners came to a conclusion and a solid course of action: they would create a garden where people could grow healthy food, teach their neighbors how to do the same and get to know one another. 

Now, the concept is taking shape, and the team is already hard at work to bring the garden to life. They hope to have it open for community members this spring, with a work-study opportunity with the College of the Sequoias starting in the fall. 

Visalia’s newest community garden will provide a planned work-study program led by the College of the Sequoias. “This is an important step toward building steady, on-the-ground capacity for day-to-day garden operations—while creating meaningful learning experiences for students and strengthening the garden as a long-term community asset,” said Eduardo González, co-founder of the Rural Prosperity Center.

“We’re especially grateful for the behind-the-scenes work happening right now to make the site functional and welcoming from day one,” said Sarah Masterson, one of the partners making the garden a reality. 

“We’re also genuinely excited about the planned work-study program in the garden led by the College of the Sequoias,” said Eduardo González, co-founder of the Rural Prosperity Center. “This is an important step toward building steady, on-the-ground capacity for day-to-day garden operations—while creating meaningful learning experiences for students and strengthening the garden as a long-term community asset,” he said.

Other partners include Community Services Employment Training (CSET), which has helped secure resources to prepare the garden. The Community Alliance with  Family Farmers (CAFF) is exploring new tools and technologies to support sustainable practices and hands-on learning in the garden. Cal Water is helping the team explore water-efficient systems and a rebate program to offset irrigation costs. 

In addition to CAFF, Cal Water, College of the Sequoias, and CSET, this broad and committed coalition also includes the City of Visalia, Rural Prosperity Center, Los Promotores, Foodlink and Parent University. Each partner contributes various strengths, from land and infrastructure to outreach, education and agricultural expertise.

Through their shared dedication, a simple idea is becoming a long-term community asset that is shaping how we can nourish families, build local skills and expand opportunity for years to come.  

To learn more about Visalia’s community garden and to get involved, email egonzalez@ruralprosperitycenter.org.

This story is part of the Central Valley Community Foundation’s “Sixty Stories That Shaped Us” initiative to help mark 60 years since our founding. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and this special place we call home. To learn more, visit centralvalleycf.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @centralvalleycf.