Rochester Community & Technical College

Your hands in the soil
grow something
real.

At RCTC SMART Garden, students don't just learn agriculture from textbooks — they plant, tend, and harvest real crops using sustainable methods, then share the yield with our community.

Plan Your Visit Learn More
Hands-on
Student-led growing
Sustainable
Eco-conscious methods
Community
Harvest shared locally
Students tending raised garden beds at RCTC SMART Garden
Growing Season

April through October — students manage every phase of the growing cycle.

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Student working in the SMART Garden raised beds
Fresh harvest from RCTC SMART Garden
Spring planting at the SMART Garden
Seedlings ready for transplant at SMART Garden
RCTC
SMART Garden
About Our Garden

Where learning takes
root

RCTC SMART Garden is more than a plot of land — it's a living classroom where Rochester Community and Technical College students gain real-world agricultural experience. Under the guidance of faculty, students plan crops, manage soil health, irrigate efficiently, and harvest produce using sustainable practices.

The garden operates on a simple but powerful principle: what grows here feeds people. Harvests are shared with campus dining, local food pantries, and the wider Rochester community — turning student effort into tangible nourishment.

Real Crops, Real Food

Seasonal vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers grown in raised beds.

Sustainable Methods

Composting, rainwater collection, and organic soil management.

What We Do

Programs that cultivate skill

From crop planning to community distribution, our garden experience covers the full spectrum of sustainable food production.

Students planting seedlings in garden beds

Crop Production

Students plan, plant, and manage seasonal vegetable and herb beds — from seed to harvest — gaining hands-on experience in every stage.

Composting and soil health work at the garden

Sustainable Practices

Composting systems, water conservation techniques, and organic soil management — students learn the methods that keep gardens productive year after year.

Community members receiving garden harvest

Community Distribution

Harvests go to campus dining, local food pantries, and community members — students see the direct impact of their work on food security.

Workshop or class session at the garden

Workshops & Events

Seasonal workshops on seed saving, propagation, and seasonal cooking bring the campus and community together in the garden.

Irrigation system in the SMART Garden

Water & Infrastructure

Students operate and maintain drip irrigation, rainwater collection, and greenhouse infrastructure — practical skills in resource management.

Flower beds and pollinator plants at the garden

Pollinator & Flower Beds

Edible flowers and pollinator-friendly plantings support biodiversity while adding color, flavor, and ecological value to the garden ecosystem.

Visit Us

Come see what's growing

The garden is open during the growing season for tours, volunteer days, and community events. Whether you're a student, a neighbor, or just curious — there's always something happening between April and October.

Location

1926 College View Rd E
Rochester, MN 55904-8201

Hours

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Growing Season: April – October

Ready to get your hands dirty?

Whether you're a student looking to gain agricultural experience, a community member wanting to volunteer, or an educator planning a field trip — we'd love to hear from you.

Call (800) 247-1296 Send a Message
Contact

Let's connect

Have questions about the garden, want to schedule a tour, or interested in volunteering? Reach out and we'll get back to you.

(800) 247-1296
robin.fruth-dugstad@rctc.edu
1926 College View Rd E, Rochester, MN 55904-8201

Send us a message

We'll respond within one business day.

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