Locally grown produce at new Mustang Market Farm grown by Delta horticulture students
Gone are Delta College’s Cabernet grape vines, with the replacement of an abundance of fresh produce.
The goal is to produce the Mustang Market Farm on Delta’s campus to be launched in Spring of 2023. Stop by the Mustang Market Farm for fresh produce grown on San Joaquin Delta College’s very own soil.
The Market is directed by Professor Tina Candelo-Mize with the help of her students. It is going to be located in the northeast area of campus near the Data Center, where the vineyard used to be. Professor Candelo-Mize specializes in Horticulture and Plant Science.
The Market is planned to be a year-round fixture, with specific dates to be determined, and exceptions made for holidays and colder winter months. Their produce on offer will align with the year-round fixture, with seasonal produce sold alongside a more continuous selection.
This market plans on having locally grown fresh produce such as seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers. “All fruits and vegetables will be grown on campus,” said Candelo-Mize.
Students have been able to learn the benefits of growing produce, working with different soils, and balancing their academic life with a gardening schedule. This project has been growing for some time now.
“We have been planning and preparing this project since late 2020,” says Candelo-Mize. “Students and staff worked over the summer to prepare the soil and the first planting of vegetables just took place on Sept. 27.”
The students are hard at work planting many goods such as broccoli, peas, and daikon radish. Berries, stone fruit and more are soon to be announced according to Candelo-Mize, with produce in rotation depending on the season.
“We have not settled on pricing yet, but the primary mission of the market farm is to increase student access to fresh fruit and vegetables, while helping to alleviate food insecurity within our campus community. So, it is very likely students will have a pay-what-you-can option,” said Candelo-Mize
If you are interested in becoming a part of the Mustang Market Farm team, contact faculty advisor Tina Candelo-Mize at tina.candelo-mize@deltacollege.edu.