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It all began with a conversation.
In Fall 2022, three ASU West Valley Campus students started dreaming about what a campus garden could mean for their community. Unbeknownst to them at the time, faculty had been wanting a garden at their campus for over 15 years! That spark of student passion finally gave them the momentum needed to take root.
As part of Rae Stusen's Conservation in Practice course, students created a 15-page proposal outlining the vision, purpose, and potential a garden at their campus would have. That proposal was submitted and approved by ASU facilities in July of 2024 after a long uphill battle, officially planting the seed of life for the West Valley Garden.
Lindsey Stevens, Rae Stusen, and Bryan Bergford
October 2025
But it didn't stop right there.
Thanks to the continued support from faculty and students alike, the garden is up and running with fresh produce, ASU Engineering and Barrett Garden Courses, events and activities. The West Valley Gardens strives to have strong ties and collaborate with the broader West Valley Communities. The garden team has given presentations and hosted roundtable discussions for environmental organizations, ASU prep courses, and educational conferences. West Valley Gardens has hosted educational workshops, community food distributions, and organized garden-centered events that bring people together around sustainability, wellness, and connection.
What started as a shared idea between three students, and a career-long dream for faculty- is now a growing hub of learning, sustainability, and equity.
And we are only just getting started.
Learn more about the garden's full history & "uphill battle" here:
In order from left to right:
Carter Plowman, Christopher Higgins, Lindsey Stevens, Ken Sweat, Rae Stusen, Bryan Bergford, Alexis Faye, Carly Steckling, Kim Rillero, Susannah Sandrin
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