Our story

Our   Mission

The College Area Community Garden is an organic garden devoted to growing healthy food, creating fellowship among and between neighbors and the San Diego State University community, teaching and conducting research on the principles of sustainable urban agriculture, and distributing gardening information to, and producing food for, our garden members and participants from the general community.  ​

Our  Team

​2023  Garden   Board   Members  

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2013 Groundbreaking Ceremony; From left to right: Gabe Mitchell, Alicia Wolf, George Mercer,​ Henry Bertram, Robin Judd, David Larom, Glen Brandenburg, Marguerite Mauritz

​Garden  Advisors

​More   about   us...

 The COLLEGE AREA COMMUNITY GARDEN (CACG) is a privately run, non-profit [IRS 501(c)3], community-based organic garden/urban farm with an attractive network of raised bed garden plots and related improved areas. In partnership with the Associated Students of SDSU, the garden began operations in early 2013. We are located on privately owned land directly next door to San Diego State University and are dedicated in large part to fostering a greater sense of community between local residents and university students, faculty, administration and affiliates.  The garden is set up to be sustained in part by charging very affordable yearly fees to lease raised planting beds. We welcome gardeners from any financial ability level and having any skill level. Come join us so you too can grow and harvest healthy food for your personal consumption.  
 
​In partnership with local subject matter experts, the CACG sponsors occasional educational workshops and classes on organic farming practices, planet-friendly agricultural methods and water-wise collection and irrigation methods. These low cost (or free) workshops and classes promote healthy soils, water, urban gardening, food crops and ecosystems. We coordinate our efforts with other local and regional community gardens as well as local, state and national organizations and government agencies. ​​

Our  inspiration

 Founder Henry Bertram's father Ben Bertram (1906 -1999),  a follower of early natural food proponent Adele Davis, began practicing organic gardening in Los Angeles in 1923.
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1995 photo courtesy Henry Bertram
"My father, Ben Bertram, instilled healthy eating and work habits in his five kids, which became a foundation for success. Thanks in large part to the wisdom and knowledge he shared with all of us, I founded and was CEO of a construction company in San Diego which helped clients for over 30 years. In 2011, my neighbors in the College View residential area expressed interest in creating a neighborhood veggie garden. Transitioning into retirement, this endeavor was a natural fit for me given my skills and abilities.  Furthermore, it echoed my father’s advocacy for healthy foods and belief in eating as naturally as possible. With the help of SDSU students, faculty, staff, and administrators as well as many College area residents, the College Area Community Garden has grown tremendously since organizing in 2012. It’s a thriving place with a highly social, positive, and educationally rich environment that promotes sustainability, community, and healthy lifestyles."

Henry Bertram, Founder
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Copyright ©  College Area Community Garden. 
Logo by Ralph Acosta.
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