Farm Tours
Perched above Monterey Bay on the UC Santa Cruz campus, the Center's Farm and Alan Chadwick Garden offerthriving examples of organic agriculture and horticulture on both a hand-worked garden scale and medium-sized, tractor-worked farm scale. Whether you're a gardener interested in what plants do well in the Central Coast region, a farmer looking for production information, or you just want to take a walk and enjoy the views, the Farm & Garden have much to offer.
Both the 30-acre Farm and 2-acre Alan Chadwick Garden are open to the public daily from 8 am to 6 pm, with a self-guided tour brochure available at the Farm entrances. Groups can sign up for docent-led tours using the tour request form (see details below), and docents lead a free tour the first Sunday of the month from April through November (see below).
During their tours, visitors can see first-hand how to build fertile soil and control pests, recycle yard and kitchen waste, conserve water, and encourage biodiversity. You'll also learn about the latest research and education projects taking place at the sites.
Tour Schedule
Docent-Led Tours
Free, docent-led tours of the UCSC Farm are offered the first Sunday of the month from April through November, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. No reservations necessary; meet at the Hay Barn, adjacent to the Farm (directions). Free parking is available on weekends. Please note that tours will not be offered until further notice.
Specialized Tours
Specialized tours for professional groups, farmers and researchers, master gardeners, visiting students, and other groups are available by arrangement (5 person minimum and depending on the availability of docents/staff). Please submit your tour request at least 2 weeks ahead of your preferred tour date using the tour request form. Call 831.459-3240 or email casfs@ucsc.edu with questions. Note that a nominal fee may apply. Minimum tour length is 1 and a half hours. Please note that there will be no specialized tours offered until further notice.
Kids Tours
Kids Tours, which include hands-on activities in the Life Lab Garden Classroom, are offered during the school year by Life Lab. Call 831.459-4035 to schedule a tour for your class or other children's group, or see the Life Lab website.
For directions to the UCSC Farm and Alan Chadwick Garden, call 459-3240, or see Directions. For information on upcoming events, see the Events and Workshops page.
Docents are vital to our tours program. If you're interested in becoming a docent or want to learn about other volunteer opportunities at the Farm & Garden, please contact us at 831.459-3240, casfs@ucsc.edu.
