Meet Our Team

I am the Coordinator of Innovation and Farm Lab Development for Encinitas Union School District. I oversee the development and expansion of on-site facilities, district farm-to-school efforts, organic certifications, facility use, marketing, community partnerships, and the DREAMS Campus educational programming (Design, Research, Engineering, Art, Math, and Science). I am inspired and driven by the district vision to provide real-world, project-based learning opportunities at Farm Lab that deepen student understanding of health and wellness, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

I’ve been with the district since 2000, and have been a classroom teacher, student services coordinator, International Baccalaureate Coordinator, and Summer Academy Principal. I have presented internationally, and hold a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

Autumn, Nina and Madi preparing for student visits in our EV Ranger, Scout!

My name is Nina Nelson and I am super excited to be the ToSA at Farm Lab this year! I am a wife and mother of four. I love surfing, cooking (I love fruits, vegetables and beans!), hiking, being in nature, spending time with family, and teaching. Sometime around 2017, I was looking for a way to bring agriculture and environmental stewardship into my classroom in Florida. In scouring the internet for ideas, I came across a magical place in Encinitas, California called the DREAMS Campus. I loved everything that I saw, including the Farm Lab initiatives, farm-to-school program, and real-world hands-on sustainability education. My team teacher and I even printed and hung up a picture of the DREAMS Campus sign in one of our Florida classrooms. I thought that it would be a dream to work at the DREAMS Campus. All of these years later it has come to pass and I could not be happier! As a teacher at the Farm Lab, my goals are to create experiences for the students of Encinitas that will inspire them to love learning and live fruitful lives, as well as to be a support and encouragement to their teachers, families, and the community at large.

Hi I am Autumn Alguire and I am extremely excited to be one of the Site Enrichment Teachers here at Farm Lab! From being a student at Ocean Knoll Elementary to working as a noon duty there and in the Aspire program throughout the district, getting to continue my journey in this district and community is an absolute joy for me. I am passionate about working with children in any capacity and it is incredible to be a part of one of the most unique, sustainability-minded, and community-oriented experiences I have ever seen.

My philosophy in teaching revolves around whole child learning and meeting children where they are at by providing them with opportunities to engage in project-based experiential learning in which students utilize their own agency.  In my off-time I am an avid home chef and I love to make and share seasonal plant-based meals. I also love watching new movies and reading new books when I am indoors. When I am outdoors, I love camping in the woods and hiking local trails.

I look forward to meeting all the wonderful students and teachers in our district!

Israel is our facilities and farming assistant. He takes care of all site custodial and maintenance needs, and also assists with all farming operations. We couldn't do this without him!