Santa Clara University Hosts Harvest Fest
The annual event at the Forge Garden celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Center for Sustainability and the change of season.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Organic Food
Santa Clara University held its annual Harvest Fest at the Forge Garden on Oct. 23, offering free entry with pumpkin carving, apple pressing, raffles, fresh produce and live music. The event also marked the 20th anniversary of the university's Center for Sustainability.
Why it matters
The festival brings the Santa Clara University community together around sustainable food and garden programming, showcasing a campus resource tied to seasonal produce. It also highlights how the Center for Sustainability and its partner groups collaborate on student-facing events.
The event featured three live bands from student-run radio station KSCU, namely Christmas Tree, Dental Insurance and Skill Issue, and entrance was free. Attendance figures and the total number of raffle prizes awarded were not reported.
The players
Santa Clara University
A private Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California, known for its engineering and business programs and its emphasis on social justice and sustainability.
Becca Nelson
Manager of the Sustainable Food Systems Program at Santa Clara University, overseeing campus food and garden initiatives.
The details
Activities included pumpkin carving, apple pressing with fruit grown at the Forge Garden, a raffle with prizes such as honey and a sourdough starter, and a pop-up from Bucky's Closet offering free Halloween costumes to students. Planning began in the summer and was finalized when the academic quarter started.
Timeline
2006 - The Center for Sustainability was founded, reaching its 20th anniversary in 2026.
Summer 2026 - Planning for Harvest Fest began.
Oct. 23, 2026 - Harvest Fest was held at the Forge Garden.
Seasonal Tradition
Harvest Fest is an annual event hosted by the Center for Sustainability, which sends invitations to partner groups at the start of each year. The 2026 edition coincided with the center's 20th anniversary, linking a long-running campus tradition to its founding milestone.
Students and visitors interested in campus sustainability programming can follow the Center for Sustainability's annual calendar, as the group invites partner organizations to plan events at the start of each year. Attending similar seasonal events offers free access to fresh produce and garden-based activities.
The takeaway
Campus gardens and sustainability centers can serve as accessible community hubs, offering free seasonal food activities that connect students with where their produce comes from.
Further reading
Explore more on Organic Food and how local campus gardens are shaping seasonal produce choices.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Santa Clara.
