Core Site

The Giving Farm

A working farm at Westminster High School, built through partnership with Future Farmers of America, CAP OC, and Westminster High School, connecting agricultural education, volunteer engagement, and food production to deliver fresh produce directly to the OC Food Bank.

Volunteers harvesting strawberries in rows

Group of students holding watermelons in a field

Students engaged in farm work at The Giving Farm

Farmer Eddie among broccoli rows at The Giving Farm

Rows of cabbage growing at The Giving Farm

Volunteers smiling while planting in crop rows

About the Site

Overview

The Giving Farm is one of SFUA's core sites and a distinctive part of its model because it brings together food production, agricultural education, and community participation in one place. Located at Westminster High School, the site functions as both a working farm and an educational environment.

The farm creates a direct connection between students, volunteers, and the work of growing food, while producing fresh crops that move directly into local food access channels. It shows how a school-based site can serve both learning and community need at the same time.

The Giving Farm at Westminster High School

Context

Why this site exists

Agricultural education is strongest when it is connected to real work. The Giving Farm exists to create that connection, giving students direct experience with food production while also creating a meaningful path for community participation through volunteers and partnerships.

At the same time, the site helps address a practical gap in food access by producing fresh, high-quality food that is delivered directly to the OC Food Bank. The result is a site where education, engagement, and distribution are all tied to the same purpose.

Aerial view of The Giving Farm at Westminster High School

Operations

How it works

School-Based Agriculture

The Giving Farm is rooted at Westminster High School, where agricultural learning is tied directly to the daily work of growing food.

Partnership Structure

The site operates through partnership with Westminster High School, Future Farmers of America, and CAP OC, bringing together education, community support, and operational coordination.

Volunteer and Food Access Connection

Volunteers help support the farm's ongoing work, while produce grown at the site moves directly to the OC Food Bank through an established local channel.

Our Network

Key partners

The Giving Farm operates through a partnership model that connects education, production, and direct food access.

Westminster High School

Home of The Giving Farm and the foundation of its school-based agricultural model.

Future Farmers of America

Key partner supporting hands-on agricultural learning at the site.

CAP OC

Distribution partner and collaborator in Giving Farm operations.

On the Ground

What happens here

Agricultural Education

Students engage directly with the process of growing food, gaining hands-on exposure to agriculture within a working farm environment.

Community Participation

Volunteers and community partners help support the farm, making the site a shared space for learning, contribution, and local engagement.

Direct Distribution

Produce grown at The Giving Farm is delivered directly to the OC Food Bank, creating a clear and immediate connection between production and community food access.

Impact

Why this site matters

The Giving Farm demonstrates how a school-based site can do more than teach. It can grow food, engage community members, and create a direct path from education to local food access.

Get Involved

Support the work at The Giving Farm

Whether through volunteering, partnership, or financial support, there are multiple ways to contribute to the work happening at The Giving Farm.

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