Mark Cavagnero Associates generated a master plan for a new farm-to-table teaching center, for the Marin-based, non-profit Slide Ranch whose mission is to “plant kids in nature.” We worked with the organization to evaluate their current occupation of the 134-acre site within Golden Gate National Recreation Area, both from an educational program delivery lens, as well as an environmental one.

Part of the proposal identified opportunities for income generation for the non-profit. Another focus of the proposal was to encourage thoughtful natural resource consumption. For instance, existing site hose bibs were identified as missed educational opportunities. Gardens could be integrated into the area, so that the excess water could be used to sustain the plant life. Greywater piping from the new teaching center was envisioned to passively water a proposed new orchard. Orchards, unlike other productive plants, are able to receive greywater. In a way, the operation of the teaching center could directly be part of the supporting infrastructure of the productive landscape.