Farm Lab History

EUSD breaks ground on Farm Lab's DREAMS campus and farm.

The first student visits to the DREAMS campus began.

Through a partnership with the City of Encinitas, the Encinitas Community Garden opens to the public.

The farm at EUSD Farm Lab becomes the first certified organic farm owned by a school district in the nation.  

The 2016-2017 school year was the first year ALL K-6 EUSD students came to the DREAMS Campus for NGSS based learning experiences.

EUSD partners with The Ecology Center to expand farming and community offerings on site.

• The Research and Design spaces opened to expand place-based educational opportunities on-site,  as well as providing equitable access to farm-to-table nutrition science. 
• Shade trees and expansive native gardens were planted across the site. 
• Upcycled sea container office spaces were added to the property.

• Farm Lab's shift from traditional organic growing methods to full regenerative agriculture is rewarded with Real Organic Project certification.
• The post-harvest barn and greenhouse installations were completed.

• The Labyrinth installation was completed in the driveway island
• Farm Lab's project and educational programming are highlighted in three published works: 
  • Evolving Education (Dr. Katie Martin)
  • A Practical Guide to Leading Green Schools (Cynthia Uline & Lisa Kensler)
  • Trailblazers for Whole School Sustainability (Edited by Jennifer Seydel, Cynthia Merse, Lisa Kensler, & David Sobel)

• EUSD began independently managing all facility use and farming operations.
• Farm Lab received the coveted Golden Bell award in the Climate Change Innovation Category from CSBA.

• Farm Lab expanded its outdoor lighting and electrical options to support an increase in facility use interest for green fundraisers and private events.
• BeeWorthy Farms was welcomed as a site partner.

• Farm Lab welcomed numerous tour groups from around the nation as a model for what's possible.
• Farm Lab hosted several company-sponsored volunteer days - one of which included a guest appearance by Jennifer Garner.

• The mandarin orchard was planted.
• Farm Lab hosted multiple leadership groups of 35+ from around the nation as a model of innovation in education.
• Expanded partnerships allowed for increased educational opportunities for district teachers and students.  (Nutrition science sponsored by Lazy Acres and environmentally messaged art workshops funded by Compana Art Studios)