In  2016,  the  City  of Perris  developed  Perris  Green  City  Farm,  an  urban community demonstration  garden  located  on  City  Hall  Campus.  The garden  was  designed  as  a  replicable model  for  urban  farming introducing  modern growing systems  such  as  soil-less  hydroponic, aeroponic,  and  aquaponic  ideal  for  urban  settings  with  environmentally  friendly  and  water-wise landscaping elements. These elements  and  designs  are space  and  energy  efficient  and  use  up  to 90% less  water and  90%  less  land  with  a  50% faster  crop  yield  as  compared  to  traditional gardening systems.   

In  2016,  Phase I of  the  garden  was  completed  which  included  traditional  gardening  elements such  as  raised  beds  and  a  herb  garden  in  addition  to  a  basis  for  hydroponic,  aeroponic,  and aquaponic  systems.   

In  2019,  Phase II  was  completed  which  included  an  expansion  of  the garden  to  include  the foundational  component  for  a  Kids  Corner,  an  outdoor  kitchen,  additional  gardening  space,  and event  demo  area.   

Currently,  the City  is  working on  securing funding for Phase III of  the  garden  which  would propose the  expansion  of  Phase III and  a  multipurpose trail  connecting to  its  neighboring community  park,  Foss  Field  park.  The  proposed  tree-shaded  trail  will support bicycle and pedestrian  paths,  to  reduce greenhouse gas  emissions  and  support  a  civic  circulation of  active transportation. The  project  proposes  a  multipurpose  trail  in  the  perimeter  of  the park  that  will utilize existing pathways  and  add  new  sustainable  paths  and  trees,  to  connect  Foss  Field  Park  to the  Perris  Green City  Farm  for  increased accessibility,  connectivity and  usability to  the surrounding  communities.   The additional  expansion  of  the PGCF  would  continue to  support food  cultivation  and  access  to  healthy  and  locally-produced  foods,  promotion  of  sustainable urban  farming practices,  reduction  of  GHG  emissions,  and  community  activities,  such  as workforce development  programming  and  gardening  workshops. The project  aims  to  expand the PGCF  and  support  the  aforementioned  by  implementing  the  following elements:

•  Increased  gardening space
•  Addition  of  trees   
•  Expansion of  a  kids’  corner  that  would  include information  kiosks   
•  Additional  garden  systems •  an outdoor  kitchen •  an outdoor  amphitheater  to  support  workforce development  programs  and horticultural  workshops.   
•  The proposed  project  would  also  transform existing  infrastructure to  include rainwater collection  systems  and  add  new  structures  that  would  support  sustainable practices such  as  composting systems  and  permeable  concrete.  Additionally,  new  elements  such as  the  continued  trail from  Foss  Field  Park,  and  new  entry  points  will increase  public access  into  the garden  from Foss  Field  Park.   

Yoga in the Garden

The City of Perris hosts Yoga in the Garden sessions for residents to participate in at the Perris Green City Farm.  Yoga in the Garden is FREE to the community and is open to participants on a first come basis. Register on CIVIC Rec.

The Junior Master Gardener program is an innovative gardening program where participants engage in horticultural and environmental science education. Youth are creatively taught leadership and life skills through fun and creative program activities. This program intends to help young people become knowledgeable in the agriculture world and exceptional residents so they can make a positive contribution in their built environment.

Workforce Development Programming

The City of Perris offers development workforce and volunteer opportunities for students, residents, and any resident looking to gain horticultural experience. For questions or to become a volunteer please reach out to Emmanuel Marquez at (951) 943 6100 ext 269.

Garden Tours and Field Trips   
 

The City of Perris offers garden tours and field trip opportunities for students, residents, and life-long learners. For questions please reach out to Emmanuel Marquez at (951) 943 6100 ext 269.

Under  Grow  Perris,  the  City  of  Perris  was  awarded the  USDA Farm  to  School Planning Grant  and  collaborated with local school districts  to  create  a  Perris  Framework  and  Action  Plan that  would  support  students  and  teachers  in  cultivating and  harvesting sufficient  fresh  fruits  and vegetables  into  their  school cafeteria.  In 2021,  the  City of  Perris,  along  with  Perris  school districts,  completed and  finalized  as  part  of  their  Farm  to  School Planning  grant,  a  Grow  Perris Farm to  School  Framework  and  Action  Plan  which  provides  a  framework to  allow  the  production of  local produce  to  meet  the  needs  of  school cafeterias.  The  Perris  Farm  to  School Program  will enable  Perris  youth  to  have  healthy  choices  and  will  further  foster  open  learning spaces  that advances  the  understanding on  the  importance of  healthy  eating,  while engaging students  and improving  the  built  environment.