Bakersfield College welcomed the community on Saturday, April 26, 2025, for its annual Garden Fest, a free event benefiting the college’s Environmental Horticulture Program.
From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., guests enjoyed plant sales, arts and crafts, a farmers market, wellness booths, and local food trucks.
The founder of Apple Core Project shared that they professionally run local farmers markets and partner with Bakersfield College to rescue food for the campus pantry. They also manage a community garden at 616 Gray Street, where they grow and share fresh produce with neighbors.
“Our mission is to fight hunger locally by teaching gardening skills, promoting nutrition education, and encouraging people to get involved and connect with nature,” they said. With the tagline “Do Good in the Hood,” Apple Core Project serves as a grassroots organization focused on creating sustainable solutions to hunger and improving food access in underserved communities.
Alex Rojas, an Animal Science and Ag Business major at Bakersfield College, explained that BC is ranked as the number one community college for agriculture.
The school offers hands-on programs in ornamental horticulture, plant science, forestry, Ag business, mechanized agriculture, food science, and culinary arts.
Students gain real-world experience by working both indoors and outdoors with professionals. Courses range from plant identification and floral design to food production, including beer, wine, and cheese making, as well as culinary training with experienced chefs.
Conway Lopez, owner of Zack’s Nursery, shared that the business, named after his son, has been operating for about four years. Lopez decided to start his own nursery, which now offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, large trees, and floral arrangements for events. Zack’s Nursery also provides planting services across Kern County.
Garden Fest wasn’t just about plants, it was about bringing people together, getting your hands a little dirty, and celebrating everything that grows when a community comes together.
Bakersfield College made it clear: whether you’re planting a tree or starting a new dream, it all starts with just one seed.
