Uploaded July 2017 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
Marshall Chrostowski was the founder of the Organic Market Gardens and the land manager for both of Pacifica's campuses. He holds advanced degrees in soil science, plant and tropical ecology, and ethnobotany. He came to Pacifica in 1989 to renovate the long abandoned grounds and orchards. In 1990 Marshall called on Pacifica and the greater South Coast community to plant the first major grain, garlic and fava bean grow-out in the field now occupied by South Hall. By 1993, several acres had been set aside for a demonstration urban mini-farm, expanding over the next 5 years into a local food source for Pacifica’s community and the greater Santa Barbara area.
Marshall Chrostowski was the founder of the Organic Market Gardens and the land manager for both of Pacifica's campuses. He holds advanced degrees in soil science, plant and tropical ecology, and ethnobotany. He came to Pacifica in 1989 to renovate the long abandoned grounds and orchards. In 1990 Marshall called on Pacifica and the greater South Coast community to plant the first major grain, garlic and fava bean grow-out in the field now occupied by South Hall. By 1993, several acres had been set aside for a demonstration urban mini-farm, expanding over the next 5 years into a local food source for Pacifica’s community and the greater Santa Barbara area.
