TUSD Farm continues to grow

BY CHRISTOPHER CORREA

This year marked the 10-year anniversary of the Turlock Unified School District Farm at 625 E. Taylor Rd. As the school district reflects on the past decade, there is also an abundance of planning for the farm’s future.

This year, the TUSD Farm continued to host students from across the district. Younger students from the elementary and middle schools planted crops and picked fresh produce during their visits to the farm, while older students from Turlock High and Pitman High participating in their respective FFA chapters paid regular visits to care for their animals. And when they weren’t on the grounds of the farm, all students enjoyed things like peaches, almonds, walnuts, plums, broccoli and carrots and more as part of their daily lunches.

Although it may seem that things are business as usual, a million-dollar project for the farm has been in the works.

Throughout the course of the 20222023 academic year, the TUSD Board of Trustees have received updates on a plan to install a brand-new, state of the art sheep and goat facility at the school farm.

The facility is described as a metal building with an extended covered barn of approximately 5,500 square feet. The planned project will also include a unisex restroom, an office and a storage space. Though goats and sheep have been present at the TUSD Farm in the past alongside cows and pigs, the facility will allow even more animals to be welcomed while having them reside in spaces specifically tailored to their needs. The project is estimated to cost an estimated $1,200,000, which will be paid for by Career Technical Education grant funds from the State of California.

“Providing students opportunities to expand their leadership, knowledge and agricultural experiences is a priority at the TUSD Farm,” said Farm coordinator Hali Bream. “A sheep and goat barn facility will increase the opportunity for agriculture students to house Supervised

Agriculture Experience (SAE) projects here at the farm.”

At the last TUSD Board meeting of the academic year on Tuesday, June 6, the District was authorized to solicit bids for the project. According to Scott

Richardson, TUSD director of maintenance and operations, shared that the goal is to have the project going up for bid in early fall in August or September. After that, they hope to have the facility completed by May.

“It’s a pretty quick timeline,” Richardson said.

Board member Mary Jackson described the authorization of bids as “great news,” with her peers nodding in agreement.

Additional updates on the TUSD Farm can be found on its official social media channels - @TUSD_Farm on Instagram and at @TUSDFarm on Twitter.