The area was the site of the historic Cowell Lime Works, a limestone production enterprise owned and managed by the Henry Cowell family. At its peak in the late 1800s, the lime manufacturer was one of the largest in the country. Since its inception as “The Village” as a residential community over two decades ago, intentional efforts have been made to rewild the area to benefit local wildlife and the campus community. Organic material and native plants are prioritized for long-term use and invasive plants are prohibited in research use in the space. The Village was established in part as a collaboration between the Center for Agroecology (CAFAS, commonly known as The Farm) and College Housing and Educational Services (CHES) to provide alternative, lower-cost housing options for continuing and transfer residents. The Village A, and B quad gardens and garden adjacent to the Community Kitchen (F4) have been established for resident and research use over the years. Most notably the Village A quad was one of the successful sites to help reestablish the endangered California Condor population. The Village community has served as the base for the (currently) defunct Program in Community Agroecology (PICA).

PICA

PICA's primary academic mission was to engage students with sustainability through practical experience and community-based knowledge sharing, addressing themes like power dynamics and inclusivity. By training students in agroecology, involving them in gardens, and developing composting projects, PICA prepared them to integrate sustainability and social justice principles into everyday life.

pica.ucsc.edu

Roots Internship, Seed Spoon Science, IDEASS Lab & More!

During the height of the Covid pandemic when campus operations were operating on a limited basis and the student residential population was sparse the Village served as the campus quarantine and isolation site in addition to housing residents. Since campus operations have ramped up to normal operating levels the Village has hosted several student learning opportunities primarily in the B quad garden, including Seed, Spoon, Science Internship, Impact Designs: Engineering and Sustainability through Student Service.