![]() Both have experience in environmental and nutrition education, and they both love working with kids. Howerter has been at Ecology Action for the past two and a half years, first as an intern and then as a Field Coordinator at the Golden Rule Farm. ![]() Senseman comes from Green Uprising Farm, where she started as an intern five years ago. Beyond the equipment and water provisions, Senseman and Howerter will be fully responsible for all expenses and for generating income from the land, a challenge they’re both ready to face head-on. “We are so excited and are grateful for the leadership and vision of the Willits Unified School District for making this happen.”īrookside School Farm already has significant infrastructure, including a hoop house, vegetable washing station, rainwater catchment system, solar power, and some tools. “It’s an innovative model for empowering new farmers with the support they need to be successful: land, equipment, mentorship, and marketing,” Says Susan Lightfoot, Farm2Fork Coordinator. They’ll start by plowing the field and planting cover crops this winter, with the first food crops going into school cafeterias in the spring. At least 15% of the land must be dedicated to growing food for the schools, and the farmers will work with Christy Wisdom, WUSD’s Food Service Director, to decide what to grow. The trio has secured a full liability insurance policy, passed security checks to be on school property, and signed a three-year license agreement which can be renewed for another three years.Ī dedicated team of Willits Unified School District staff and community volunteers partnered with the Farm2Fork project of North Coast Opportunities-Community Action, and together came up with the groundbreaking new concept of licensing school land to farmers to grow food for the school and community. Lucas Howerter and Amanda Senseman will co-farm the land, and Michael Foley will serve as mentor and advisor. It’s official: a trio of three local farmers will take over the one-acre Brookside School Farm at Brookside Elementary School in Willits. ![]() Brookside School Farm’s Fallow Days Are Over Above: From left: Lucas Howerter, Olga O’Neill, and Amanda Senseman pose in front of Brookside School Farm in November, shortly after Howerter and Senseman were chosen from a group of applicants to license the land for three years. ![]()
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