Lassen County schools are celebrating after being awarded substantial grants from the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, with each district receiving $200,000 to expand agricultural education and enhance access to locally grown produce. The funds will foster hands-on learning experiences and promote sustainability across several schools.
Westwood Unified School District is one of the grant recipients, securing funds for its Greenhouse Project: Cultivating Education and Resilience. The project aims to replace an unfinished greenhouse with a fully operational facility that will serve as a hub for hands-on learning about agriculture and healthy eating. This initiative will expand access to fresh, locally grown California produce for students, integrating sustainability into the curriculum. Westwood USD expressed gratitude to Benson’s Humble Homestead for its ongoing partnership and grant writer Robert Platou, whose efforts were instrumental in securing the funding.
Richmond Elementary will use its grant to expand the school’s agricultural science program and build a large greenhouse to grow fruits and vegetables year-round. The produce will be served in the cafeteria, providing students with fresh, nutritious food options. The project aims to inspire students with hands-on learning about sustainable food, organic gardening, and healthy lifestyles.
Fort Sage Unified School District will incorporate hands-on food education into its meal programs and curriculum, including field trips to local commodity production facilities. This initiative will provide Herlong High School and Sierra Primary School students with opportunities to engage in food production, including raising livestock and growing produce in a school greenhouse.
Long Valley Charter School plans to add a greenhouse on each campus to support climate-smart food production and create outdoor learning spaces. The project includes developing standards-aligned lessons and offering field trips and presentations by local producers.
Shaffer Unified Elementary School District will enhance its nutrition program by sourcing a variety of locally produced foods and expanding cold storage capacity with a new walk-in refrigerator. The district will also create an outdoor kitchen and sitting area to promote farm-to-school education.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to connect students with locally grown food, enhance educational outcomes through project-based learning, and promote individual health and wellness.
