Students at the Mark Richardson Center (MRC) recently harvested a diverse bounty of summer crops to help feed local families.

In partnership with the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District’s (SMJUHSD) Family and Community Engagement division and donations received from the district staff, the student-led agricultural initiative resulted in the donation of more than 100 boxes of fresh vegetables to the surrounding community.

The summer harvest yielded a variety of fresh produce, including corn, tomatoes, tomatillos, and multiple varieties of peppers.

The distributions were made possible through the coordinated efforts of district staff and Alejandra Fulton, manager of the Family and Community Engagement division, who helped identify and deliver the food packages to local families, organizers said.

At the MRC, students enrolled in the plant and soil science programs gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture. The curriculum focuses on teaching young people the benefits of farming and understanding exactly where their food comes from.

“Our goal is to treat our community like they are family, providing a safe environment to meet the needs of our students, staff and community,” said Superintendent Antonio Garcia.”

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work and deeply thankful for everyone who helped make this donation possible,” he said.

The MRC is part of the Career Technical Education pathways offered in the SMJUHSD.

“At MRC, the focus is on the whole child, promoting positive growth with hands-on learning while focusing on preparing for the future and making a difference in our community,” school officials said.

For more about SMJUHSD outreach initiatives, contact the Student & Family Resource Center, 805-922-4573 ext. 1918.