FarmTECH
FarmTECH is a 20-acre district farming program operated by the Student Nutrition Department at Morgan Hill Unified School District (MHUSD). The program in Morgan Hill encompasses a 17-acre production farm attached to a 3-acre educational site. FarmTECH also operates two of the most advanced hydroponic vertical container farms in the world at both Live Oak and Ann Sobrato High Schools(see below). FarmTECH was established on three simple beliefs. First, a school district itself can grow its own produce through environmentally responsible and sustainable practices. Next, we can and should educate our students in agriculture, ecology, and ag. tech. Finally, we'll engage the community by celebrating locally grown food from our farming partners. By managing the farm directly through the Nutrition Department, we seamlessly integrate our menus with seasonal produce, provide real-time agricultural education in our cafeterias, and maintain greater control over food waste.
Would you like to support our efforts through a donation or by volunteering? We are currently in need of gently used farm equipment and individuals with farm expertise in irrigation. Please see the information at the bottom for details. We look forward to growing with you!
Our hydroponic shipping containers currently produce all of our district spring mix lettuce used at all schools. These 40ft shipping containers feature a cloud based, vertical hydroponic, grow system. They use less than 5 gallons of water per day growing the equivalent of 2.5 acres of spring mix. We produce over 400lbs of spring mix weekly. The system allows us to control the lights, humidity, air circulation, temperature, and nutrient dosing from anywhere in the world. Want to know more? Check out our case study.
We collaborate with small-scale certified organic family farms to source the highest quality organic products. Please see our map below to see our farming and ranching partners. We source organic milk and serve it in bulk to eliminate container waste. Our beef comes from regenerative farms in California. Finally all our local farming partners are less then 50 miles away, helping to lower our carbon footprint.
Contacts
Email: tbd
Email: jochnerm@mhusd.org
Our Farming Partners
Narci Organic Farms is a family business run by Maria and her two daughters, Yesenia and Angelica. Offering fresh and local vegetables and fruits.
As first and second generation immigrants, we bring knowledge from our family’s farming backgrounds and apply them to this soil, where we are the first in our families to own a farm in this country.
Richards Grassfed Beef is certified by the American Grassfed Association and is the first beef company on the west coast to receive the Savory Institute's Ecological Outcome Verified certificate. Our animals are never fed grain, corn products, given antibiotics or growth hormones. Richards Grassfed Beef ranches are dedicated to providing the highest quality care for our animals to reduce stress and ensure proper care and feeding.
Since 2012 in Aromas, California. We are proud to be a small family farm that grows real organic food. We grow a variety of berries, vegetables, and flowers.
Founded over 50 years ago by Akira Nagamine, this organic farm specializes in apples, Asian greens, and Japanese cucumbers. His daughter Janet, a previous physician at Kaiser, now farms the land.
Our overall farming philosophy includes growing our crops as close and harmonious with nature as possible.
Donations
