Current Projects
Adult Farming School
We are excited to share a new initiative by the Sand n Straw Foundation: Adult Farming School aimed at empowering adults in need
Our vision is to create a supportive environment where adults can acquire practical farming skills in regenerative agriculture, and enhance their ability to cultivate their own food. This program will offer hands-on training in various aspects of farming, including soil health, crop rotation, regenerative aorganic farming and permaculture techniques, and much more, all within the nurturing setting of our community farm.
To bring this vision to life, we need your support. Your generous contribution will help us:
- Purchase necessary farming tools and equipment
- Provide scholarships for participants
- Cover operational costs to ensure the program's sustainability
By supporting the Adult Farming School, you will be making a significant impact on the lives of adults in need in our community, providing them with the skills and confidence needed to achieve food security and self-sufficiency.
Youth Farming School
Vista, California
The Sand n Straw Foundation offers scholarships for children to attend the Young Pioneers program at Sand n Straw Community Farm. Young Pioneers is an outdoor nature school where children engage in hands-on learning on a six-acre family farm. Here, they explore ponds, gardens, and trails teeming with native plants and pollinator-attracting flowers, as well as various food crops. Through these activities, children gain a deeper understanding of nature's cycles and the interconnectedness of the natural world.
In the 2021-2022 school year we were able to financially provide for 10 families
in the 2022-2023 school year we were able to financially provide for 14 families
in the 2023-2024 school year we were able to financially provide for 16 families
Funds will go towards…
Educational Opportunities
With your help, we can continue to grow our science program and provide engaging learning experiences that are accessible to all. The cost of equipment and essential materials has significantly increased, making your support more important than ever.
Our New Music Classroom
Beyond science, we envision a vibrant music classroom filled with instruments, rhythms, and songs where children of all abilities can explore their creativity and connect through the universal language of music. But to fully equip this space, we need your help.
Farm Accessibility
Our goal is to acquire a 6-person cart to safely transport students and adults with mobility challenges around the farm, ensuring everyone can fully participate in and enjoy the experiences we offer. Together, we can make our farm accessible to all!
Past Projects
Couple Berry Farms
In 2018, we were able to save an almost one hundred year old family farm in Vista, California with your help! The Farm was able to re-open the Farm to the community in July of 2019. They now have a full Farm Stand on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a thriving CSA program, events such as Cooking Classes, Farm to Table Dinners, Farm Tours, a Children’s outdoor education program and so much more.
Thank you for helping save Couple Berry Farms!
Chicken Incubator Project For Ugandan Family
Margaret launched a small-scale chicken project in Uganda. Despite facing immense challenges—having lost her husband to AIDS years ago and receiving no support through a social security system—she has continued to provide not just for her own children, but also for many orphans. Today, she is supporting 10 children and grandchildren on her own.
Thanks to your generosity and encouragement, we were able to help Margaret successfully build an incubator for her baby chicks! This marks a significant step toward creating a sustainable and independent livelihood for her. It’s been amazing to witness the progress, and we are thrilled about the hope and stability this project is bringing to her life and to the children she cares for.
Thank you for your support!