District presents vision for 32‑acre agricultural center to expand hands‑on learning
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Summary
Santa Paula Unified staff outlined a proposal to develop a 32‑acre district farm into an agricultural center and outdoor classroom linking preschool through high school curriculum, CTE pathways and community partnerships. Trustees raised questions about costs, transportation and wildfire safety.
District staff presented a multi‑year vision to convert district farmland into an agricultural center that would serve preschool through 12th grade as an outdoor classroom, career pathway and community resource.
The presenter described four thematic zones — a pumpkin patch and nursery, row crops with indigenous 'three sisters' planting, a creek interpretive trail, and a living classroom — tied to science standards, nutrition education and CTE pathways. He cited visits to Ventura Unified’s five‑acre district farm as a model and said the district’s 32 acres offer far greater capacity. Potential partners mentioned included LeapLab and the Saticoy Food Hub; LeapLab leaders and Brokaw Ranch managers were referenced as collaborating on programming and site access.
Trustees pressed staff on start timing, capital costs (past irrigation costs near $76,000 were mentioned), transportation logistics and staffing needs. District staff said CTE vans can carry about 28 students per trip and suggested initial 'low‑lying fruit' projects (a living classroom or small pilot activities) could proceed quickly while larger infrastructure and staffing plans are refined. Trustee Ramos urged careful wildfire planning after referencing a county risk assessment that identified the farm site as susceptible to wildfires and potential road closures.
Staff said the district will explore funding from CTE grants (Perkins, K–12 Strong Workforce) and may use grant components to demonstrate sustainability (for example, plantings that can produce revenue); board members requested further cost breakdowns, acreage allocations for specific zones and accessibility/ADA details for future presentations.
Board members expressed broad enthusiasm for the learning and partnership opportunities but asked staff to return with concrete budgets and timelines before committing major capital funds.