About the Garden

  • Mission Statement

  • Goals

  • Importance/Impact

  • History of the Garden

Mission Statement

The Montgomery Middle School Community Garden (MMSCG) is a vibrant space where students, families, and Linda Vista community members come together to grow, learn, and explore answers to the question, “What does it mean to be healthy?” Driven by a mindset of community health and wellness, the garden serves as a hub for projects that foster physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Members of the MMSCG community find numerous entry points for their garden experience, from hands-on learning opportunities for students to curricular connections for classroom teachers. School-community collaborations create entrepreneurial ventures that support the sustainability of the garden, while partnerships with the University of San Diego facilitate reciprocal K-16 learning experiences.

The MMSCG kitchen and food lab offers a space for culinary exploration and communal gatherings, further strengthening the bond between garden participants. The multicultural richness of the Linda Vista community is honored and preserved, staying true to the original vision of the garden’s founders, ensuring the garden remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

MMSCG Goals

  1. Building Community: Foster a strong sense of belonging and connection among students, families, residents, and the broader community.

  2. Promoting Holistic Well-Being: Provide a healing environment for mental, emotional, and physical well-being through garden therapy and mindfulness practices.

  3. Cultivating Knowledge and Skills: Offer educational opportunities related to sustainable gardening, nutrition, and environmental stewardship for students and community members.

  4. Sharing Resources & Food Security: Contribute to local food security by growing nutritious produce and sharing it with the community, while teaching healthy cooking practices.

  5. Encourage Environmental Stewardship: Instill a sense of responsibility for the environment through hands-on activities that highlight the importance of ecological balance, conservation, and sustainable practices.

  6. Creating Space for Growth and Reflection: Provide a nurturing space where individuals can engage in personal growth, self-reflection, and the cultivation of new ideas and skills.

  7. Facilitating Collaboration and Innovation: Promote teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving among participants through collaborative garden projects and shared initiatives.

Importance/Impact

The Montgomery Middle School Community Garden represents more than just a physical space for planting and harvesting—it is a vital community hub where reflection, knowledge, and growth converge. This garden brings people together across generations and backgrounds, creating a shared space where they can connect with nature, learn from one another, and cultivate both food and relationships.

By offering opportunities for reflection, resource sharing, and community-building, the garden embodies the values of inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability. It stands as a testament to the power of nature to heal, teach, and unite, enriching the lives of all who engage with it and fostering a more connected, informed, and empowered community.

History Of the Garden

In 2001, Mr. Lewenstein, an English teacher at Montgomery Middle School, had a vision for the Linda Vista Community. He had a dream of bringing this fractured community of cultures together by using gardening as the foundation. He created designs featuring symbolic trees representing the area's Asian and Mexican cultures. He started a "secret garden" program with students, selling plants on Caesar Chavez Day in 2002. Despite using gardening to teach multiple subjects, district policy changes emphasizing literacy led to his transfer. Before leaving, he helped secure $600 from plant sales and drafted a community garden grant proposal. These profits went towards the construction of the garden’s gazebo which is a focal point here at Montgomery’s garden.