The R'Garden is undergoing some changes - Staffing is where is starts!

Last year was a pivotal moment for the R’Garden in terms of funding, but one that we have seen before. Established in 2012, the roots of the R’Garden really took shape with student voices advocating for a space to grow their own food and engage in dialogue about environmentalism. This advocacy coupled with the role that UCR has historically played in local agriculture is where we find the R’Garden today! 

Our motto is growing food, and growing student leaders who have a passion for climate action.  With that in mind, this year has presented another chance for the R’Garden to develop and strengthen the roots of education and advocacy of our past. 

Meet our new Faculty Director, Amy Litt! She has been appointed to a new position that is meant to strengthen the connection of educational opportunities at R’Garden. She has a history of teaching K-12 for 10 years before obtaining her own PhD, and currently is faculty in the Botany and Plant Sciences department. During her time at UCR, she has held positions in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences as Equity Advisor, Grad Advisor for continuing students, and current Vice Chair of the department. 

She has a passion for gardening, and we hope to get her trained on the tractor and other operational responsibilities at the R’Garden. We look forward to the partnerships that will blossom with her expertise as a plant biologist to the space. 

In addition to our new faculty director, the R’Garden also has a new interim manager, Crystal Brachetti! She is UCR alumni and studied Sustainability Studies and Gender studies while in her undergrad. During that time, she served as an intern at the R’Garden from 2016 – 2019, where she learned operational skills under both Fortino Morales and Richard Zapien. She has a passion for facilitating conversations about the role that community gardens have in battling systematic problems such as food deserts and food insecurity. Born and raised in the Inland Empire, Crystal wishes to use her educational access to give back to local communities that are already facing land use issues by way of industrial development. 

Her hope is to expand her knowledge of agriculture as a profession and share this route with other young folks who are seeking to be leaders in climate action spaces. We look forward to watching her trajectory and seeing more trail blazers follow her lead!