Faced with a financial meltdown, the Vallejo Unified School District announced in February 2003 that it would close its Loma Vista Farm. But parents sprang into action--now, two years later, kids are still gardening, cooking, and caring for animals at the farm.

The organic, five-acre farm operated by the school district includes gardens, a greenhouse, and a menagerie of animals--horses, geese, goats, chickens and more. Visiting schoolchildren may groom a rabbit, transplant a seedling, or make pumpkin pancakes--after measuring the pumpkin in the field. Some nearby classrooms visit once a week; many from five counties around come at least once a year. Parents drop by with preschoolers during school hours.

Unique value

"Urban kids are so separated from nature," says Rita Leroy, one of the farm staffers. "They don't know where their food comes from. They don't have much in the way of animals at home. So this becomes a real valuable experience for them."

In mostly blue collar Vallejo, "Many parents don't have the money to take their kids to Marine World," adds farm caretaker Bev Calvert. The farm provides "a free, safe environment."

Cande Medrano, father of a three-year-old, supports the farm because "I grew up on a ranch in Mexico. I want my son to love natural things. I want him to treat animals like humans."

"We'll do it!"

When the district said it would close the farm, the Vallejo Moms Club, a network of preschoolers' parents, called a community meeting at the library. There, parents decided to create a new nonprofit, Friends of Loma Vista Farm, to raise the money to operate the farm. They moved fast--their first fundraiser was held that April.

Networking

Parents organized using existing networks--the Moms Club, 4-H parents. They kept in communication with an email group and encouraged everyone to forward the emails to others. Fundraising dinners and volunteer work days at the farm recruited more participants.

Mobilizing the community

"People are doing what they can in so many different ways," says Leroy. Parent Jyl Gershen-Lewis collects bottles and cans for cash and organizes ticket sales for an annual farm benefit day at the Solano County Fair. Schools, local businesses, and service clubs sell tickets.

Thom Arcadi, a teacher who directed the farm's program until budget cuts forced him back to the classroom, emphasizes that money for the farm comes from "very small contributions." School ice cream sales and 4-H bake sales contribute. One group of kids "had a garage sale, sold their toys, and brought the money to the farm." One grandma "sends in $10 a month."

The local Wells Fargo bank provides business advice, and computer-savvy parents created a Friends of the Farm database.

Still hustling

The farm isn't safe yet. Ongoing financial troubles could end the small amount of support the school district still provides. But Friends of the Farm continues grassroots fundraising. This year's spaghetti dinner and silent auction will be held on February 27 at the Dan Foley Recreation Center in Vallejo.

The farm's survival so far is a tribute to the passionate support of parents who see its value for their kids. "If you could see my son's face when he sticks his hand underneath a chicken for a warm egg!" says Gershen-Lewis. "It's priceless."

• Loma Vista Farm, 707-556-8765