For 50 years, Loma Vista Farm at 150 Rainier Drive in Vallejo has provided hands-on agricultural and animal care education through a partnership between the school district and a dedicated nonprofit.

In the middle of Vallejo, at 150 Rainier Drive, Loma Vista Farm continues its unique mission as an outdoor classroom, an active urban farm where students gain practical experience tending to animals like rabbits and goats, learning about animal husbandry firsthand.

Now 50 years old, the farm remains a cornerstone for experiential learning in the Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD). During summer camps, students engage directly with a variety of animals, gaining practical skills and fostering a sense of responsibility. Heather Topacio, Assistant Superintendent of the Vallejo City Unified School District, highlighted the farm's reach, telling KTVU that the district ensures “all kids in Vallejo schools get an opportunity to come to the farm on field trips,” with high school students also engaging in projects on the farm.

The endurance of Loma Vista Farm is a testament to a robust public-private partnership. The Vallejo City Unified School District owns the land, handles essential maintenance, and employs full-time staff, including a dedicated farm keeper. Complementing this, the Friends of Loma Vista Farm (FLVF), a nonprofit incorporated in California on February 11, 2004, and granted federal 501(c)(3) status in October 2004, provides crucial fiscal oversight, fundraising, administrative leadership, and volunteer coordination. This collaborative framework was formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding in 2013, ensuring the farm’s ongoing viability.

Despite the ongoing budget constraints faced by school districts across the state, the commitment to Loma Vista Farm from both the school district and the community remains strong. Topacio underscored this sentiment, asserting to KTVU that “If this would ever go away, it would just not be acceptable to the community and the leadership of Vallejo City Unified School District.” She added, “Through our partnership with the friends of Loma Vista Farm, we're able to find creative ways to keep it going and access this really rich environment for years and years to come.”

The farm is not just a place for lessons; it’s a living part of Vallejo’s texture. It serves as a vital green space and a unique educational resource that continues to thrive, reflecting the community’s enduring dedication to providing hands-on learning experiences for its children. A walk past 150 Rainier Drive reveals the ongoing activity, the presence of animals, and the tangible outcome of a sustained community effort.