Santa Paula High School to Purchase School Farm With Limoneira’s Help
March 20, 2013
Santa Paula High School
At last week’s School Board Meeting, Santa Paula Union High School District Trustees approved a Purchase Agreement for approximately 29 acres of agricultural land to be used for a new school farm.
The High School District is working with the Limoneira Company in a transaction to use a portion of the land allotted to the District at East Area 1 to fund the purchase.
During the past thirty plus years, Santa Paula High School has been fortunate to partner with the City of Santa Paula to provide students with access to a respected and valuable livestock program that has been on the grounds of the old sewer plant.
The sale of the sewer plant land and Crown Disposal’s planned use of the entire site started the High School District on a search for a farm. Crown Disposal has graciously allowed the FFA/Agriculture Sciences Partnership Academy program to continue to operate on the current site during the search process.
The new farm site will allow for the expansion of agricultural education offerings. The site is adjacent to Bedell School and will allow students to work with plants as well as animals. The previous farm was only used for livestock projects.
The property’s current owners, Charles and Brenda Stewart, are very pleased to be part of a transaction that will enable the current agriculture program to not only continue but to be enhanced.
During the escrow period the District will be engaged in due diligence activities to meet the requirements of State Code and guidelines prior to final purchase.
