OPIRG McMaster
Community Garden
Harvested cherries
About us
Launched in 2020, the OPIRG McMaster Community Garden is a student-led initiative dedicated to improving access to healthy food for the McMaster community. During the summer, we donate all of our produce to the Locke Street Community Fridge, and in the fall, we support on-campus food security services. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where volunteers and community members can learn about gardening, sustainable food production, and food justice.
Volunteers in garden 1
Our Team
Thush Gnanamuttu and Olivia Rowan are the ongoing coordinators for the 2024–2025 season, overseeing all garden operations and leading our volunteer team. They’re supported by a dedicated volunteer committee that manages our social media, event planning, and finances. Applications for committee roles open each fall.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our volunteers. Each year, more than 60 McMaster students, staff, and faculty roll up their sleeves to help harvest over 200 pounds of produce from our garden. We open applications for new volunteers every spring and fall.
Thush & Olivia
Expansion Project
Location of gardens
Opening in Spring 2025, we’re excited to introduce a fully accessible garden. While our main garden is located across the street from Phoenix Craft House and Grill, the new expansion is just a two-minute walk away, right behind the Burke Science Building. This space will include wheelchair-accessible paths, raised garden beds, and a variety of inclusive gardening tools and seating options. The expansion will double our current growing capacity, create opportunities for accessible programming, and increase greenspace for students to enjoy on campus.
Programming
Hamilton Farm Crawl
As part of our mission to provide educational opportunities in sustainable gardening, we offer a variety of community programming. Currently, we’re collaborating with McMaster Children’s Hospital, INSPIRE 3EL3: Experiential Learning Opportunities, the Student Wellness Centre, and the SUSTAIN 1S03: Introduction to Sustainability course. Through 'Learn to Garden' workshops, garden tours, and curriculum development, we aim to reduce barriers to food justice education in Hamilton.
Videos from the Garden
Watch these videos for a behind-the-scenes look at our sustainable gardening practices and the fresh produce we’re growing!
Videos created by: @adrian_kd_
Garden tour with one of our amazing co-coordinators, Olivia!
The community garden is an incredible way to experience wildlife on campus, come check it out!
Our Funders
OPIRG McMaster
McMaster Student Wellness Centre
Raised Garden Beds Canada
Student Life Enhancement Funding McMaster
McMaster Okanagan Office of Health and Wellbeing
West Coast Seeds
Tree Mobile
McMaster Libraries
Connect with us
Interested in learning more or supporting our work? We’d love to hear from you!
Email: communitygarden@opirgmcmaster.org
Instagram: @mcmastercommunitygarden
Financial Transparency
To uphold transparency, we will share our financial records at the start of each month. Click here to learn more, and feel free to ask us any questions!