Common Ground Garden, Palo Alto

Not everyone is born with a green thumb, and even fewer people know how to sustainably grow food. As a project of Ecology Action—a group that's promoted high-yield, earth-friendly agriculture since the '70s—Common Ground Garden seeks to change that. During classes at its teaching garden, its employees and volunteers share the Grow Biointensive method of cultivating food, a system which focuses on creating nutrient-rich soil in which healthful food can grow in abundance for years to come. They also enrich Bay Area communities by helping visitors of all ages make everyday connections to the Common Ground mission, emphasizing the importance of mindful stewardship in everything from the culinary arts to healthy eating.