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Southwest High School Farm Revitalization Project

Before the farm took root, the site was an underutilized campus lawn. Transforming the space required a 2-3 year effort to clear deep grass roots, test soil quality, and build a nutrient-rich foundation for crops.

Every crop harvested at the Southwest High Farm goes directly to Sweetwater Union High School District cafeterias, placing fresh, locally grown produce straight onto student plates.

Rooted in Community, Growing the Future

Welcome to the Southwest High School Farm Project! Led by the Nutrition Department and Southwest High’s Dr. Arias, this initiative takes microlocal to the next level. We turn cafeteria food waste into vibrant green spaces, provide students with hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, and harvest fresh produce that goes straight from our soil to student plates across the district. 

The Origin: A Vision for Waste Diversion & Agriculture

The dream of a district farm began in March 2012 with a simple question: How can San Diego County divert organic waste from the standard waste stream and turn it green?

Dr. Arias, a recognized educator and head of the engineering program at Southwest High School, and Eric, the Director of Nutrition Services, joined forces to address cafeteria food waste while restoring local agricultural life. That mission took a leap forward in 2018 when the district rescued chickens from the Tijuana River valley and brought them to campus, providing fresh eggs directly to the school cafeteria.

As a core part of their curriculum, Southwest High’s engineering students designed and built the entire landscape, including the farm's chicken coop, barn, and greenhouse. A few years later, site preparations began to expand the initial setup into a full-scale, solar-powered farm—starting with extensive soil testing and a 2½-year grass-clearing process. The official launch of the expanded Southwest High Farm took place in 2024.

Today, operating entirely on clean solar energy, the farm maintains a flock of 175–180 laying hens to power a closed-loop system of local food production and waste diversion. Harvests include squash, zucchini, jalapeno peppers, beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, beets, carrots, cucumbers, strawberries, bell peppers, eggplants, and many more—all going directly to our cafeterias to feed Sweetwater Union High School District students. 

We are still in our exploratory phase—figuring out optimal harvests and their quantities, discovering what thrives best in our soil, and building a sustainable foundation that will serve our students and community for generations to come.

Integration

This farm thrives on key internal and external collaborations:

  • Eco-Engineering Program: Engineering students design and build compost boxes, garden infrastructure, chicken coops, a barn, and greenhouses. Through this hands-on work, they learn flock management, land stewardship, and practical sustainable agriculture techniques.
  • Resource Conservation District (RCD): Building on a long-standing relationship, Nutrition Services partnered with the RCD—a district dedicated to protecting, conserving, and restoring natural resources through education, community outreach, and technical assistance.
  • On-Site Mentorship: RCD consultants spend 2 to 3 days a week on campus, working directly alongside Nutrition Services and Dr. Arias to manage farm operations and mentor students in real-world agricultural practices.

Student Participation 

Rather than relying strictly on traditional classroom instruction, this project emphasizes immersive, hands-on learning. Students actively care for the poultry, feed the flock, harvest eggs, manage soil health, and tend to crops from seed to harvest.

The Future

We are continuously seeking solutions to make our farm more efficient and sustainable—constantly improving, innovating, and striving for excellence. 

Beyond the farm, our long-term goals for the district and broader community include:

  • District-Wide Farm Network: Expanding and establishing specialized agricultural hubs across multiple campuses.
  • Inter-School Collaborations: Building strong relationships with surrounding campuses to share knowledge, expand student mentorship, and create a connected agricultural pipeline.
  • Community Gardens: Creating dedicated public growing spaces where community members and families can cultivate food together.
  • Campus Transformations: Converting underutilized turf and grass spaces across the district into vibrant, water-smart, and productive green environments.

By establishing these sustainable conditions today, we are cultivating a healthier food network for our schools and local community for generations to come.