The Garden Commons
An urban greenspace connecting people and place, focused on urban food systems and campus engagement.
Our goal is to empower students to become “change agents” to support sustainable food systems and rethink how we access, cultivate and value food.
The numbers
Tracking began 2019
7,805 Pounds donated
3,155 Engagement hours
2,321 Volunteer hours
217 Events
*Updated May 2026
Themed areas
22 fruit trees of many varieties
24 raised beds
Fruit orchard
Community garden
On-site composting to support
Zero Waste Compost facilities
4,800 square feet of event space
Community patio
Cultivating a more resilient future: The Garden Commons
The Garden Commons is a unique living laboratory for students and the ASU community to:
• Develop skills to grow a more sustainable world.
• Learn ecological stewardship.
• Reconnect with sustainable food systems.
• Support personal well-being and growth.
• Transform learning into a positive environmental impact.
Engage | Learn | Connect
Our mission is to empower students with a deep personal commitment to sustainable food systems through dynamic, hands-on learning that strengthens their connection to the environment, their community and the origins of their food.
Examples
of
engagement opportunities
and events that have taken place at the Garden Commons:
• Barrett, The Honors College’s Women’s Empowerment Banquet
• Changemaker Central service days
• College of Integrative Science and Arts’ Youth Wellness Carnival
• Edible Plant Campus Walking Tour
• Green Devil Network meeting
• Monthly volunteer days
• Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement’s annual ice cream social
• Polytechnic Campus Staff Council’s holiday party
• Student Success Center’s fall gardening workshop
Signature events
Cakes and Cacti
A partnership with Sun Devil Hospitality
Día de los Muertos
A partnership with CISA
Citrus Dining partnership
Produce is delivered to the dining hall for various items and beverages on the menu.
Farm Stand
Seasonal free produce for ASU students
Hands-on learning in a living laboratory:
• ABS 260 Fundamentals of Sustainable Horticulture
• ABS 368 Plant Propagation
• College of Integrative Sciences and Arts’ Healthcare Discovery Camp
• HON 394 Practical Plants for Sustainable Living
• Horti-Technic Society Invasive Species training
• Journaling in the garden monthly gathering
An invitation to grow together
Your support helps the Garden Commons expand its impact by funding educational programs, infrastructure, tools and community partnerships that make this space a hub for learning and positive change. Investing in the Garden Commons means investing in students, sustainability and a more resilient future.
Together, we can cultivate a generation of informed, empowered stewards of our environment. Donate to Garden Commons here.
The Garden Commons is available for classes, events, volunteer opportunities and workshops. Contact Melissa Kruse-Peeples for information on events and volunteer requests.
Reserve the Garden Commons pavilion and outdoor event space for classes and meetings.
Visit the Garden Commons Facebook and Instagram pages for announcements on events, the Farm Stand and volunteer opportunities.
If you would like more information about supporting our Garden Commons, please email University Sustainability Practices or contact Susan Norton.
cfo.asu.edu/Garden-commons
© 2026 Arizona Board of Regents for Arizona State University.