Edison Middle School’s fifth through eighth graders recently celebrated the opening of their new student farm and the start of an agricultural club. Edison Middle and Orangewood Elementary school students and their families are excited to have their own campus farm where they can explore agriculture and farming outside of the classroom environment. “We’re excited to be one of the only middle schools in Kern County that will have an on-campus farm and garden,” says Edison School District Superintendent Erica Andrews. “There’s limited access to social services in Edison so our community schools are becoming hubs for our community so that we can support the needs of our families, especially those who experience transportation insecurity.”



Edison School District, with the help of Toby Tootle from West Coast Pipe Inspection, Jimmy Ehoff from Triple E Trucking, and Wasco High School agriculture department volunteers, built elevated gardens and animal pens with a donation of surplus piping material from Aera Energy last year.  After a series of weather delays, the district was finally able to put the finishing touches on the farm. Students will learn garden upkeep, order supplies, keep inventory, and raise animals through an Expanded-Learning Program.