James Stark: In Memoriam

James “Smoking Clogs” Stark has been a part of the Commonweal community since 2003, when he and his then-wife Penny moved into Commonweal Garden. For 15 years, as co-directors of the Regenerative Design Institute, they brought thousands of students—eager to learn about permaculture, earth stewardship, and new leadership—to Commonweal. James also co-founded the Ecology of Leadership, the Ecology of Awakening, and the Art of Vitality programs at Commonweal. When the Regenerative Design Institute left Commonweal Garden, he returned to help Anna O'Malley, MD, as she moved to the garden to start Natura Institute of Ecology and Medicine. He stepped off the staff just recently, working his last day at the Commonweal Garden the week before his 80th birthday party. James died at home, surrounded by community and flowers, on July 23, 2025.

James knew how to build things, fix things, grow crops, and husband animals. With Penny, James physically made Commonweal Garden what it is today. He was the garden’s backbone, offering continuous physical labor and his full heart. He was filled with joy riding his earthmover, finding any project he could to put it to use.

James was born a 5th generation farmer (James Stark VII) on a sheep and cattle farm in central Canada. As a young boy, James was transformed after reading Rachel Carlson's Silent Spring. From that moment on, he knew that he wanted to devote his life to changing the way we relate to the environment around us.

He was dedicated to his community—visioning, organizing, and promoting community as medicine. Upon moving to California in 1990, he co-founded the West Marin Growers Group (created to ensure food security in Marin County); Waste Free Now (committed to West Marin becoming waste-free); KWMR "Watershed Radio"; and CLAM—Community Land Trust Association of Marin (affordable ecological housing land charitable trust).

Through the development of these organizations, James sharpened an interest in assisting community leaders in cultivating a resilient inner space to enhance their work in the world. As part of that inquiry, he earned a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. He believed that creating a loving, peaceful inner world provides the soil for the seeds of our visions to grow in the world and lead a fully expressed life of vitality, and passed that inspiration on to thousands of people—young and old alike—who were touched by his enthusiasm and vision.

James celebrated his 80th birthday party with more than 50 friends on the land in Point Reyes Station that he and Penny built as the Permaculture Institute of Northern California before they moved to Commonweal Garden. Up until the day he suffered a brain aneurysm, he was building, tending, and growing things in the garden. His enthusiasm, love of life, vitality, and care for others will be remembered and missed.

In this recording from our archives, James gives a moving introduction/tribute to his mentor, Joanna Macy.

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