Forterra is proud to announce that it is awarding a Community Restoration Grant to the Olympia High School Foundation in partnership with the Olympia School District.
This grant supports the Olympia High School Freedom Farmer Program where students learn about sustainable food production and native ecosystems. The program was created to provide farm-based, outdoor alternative learning experiences and opportunities for students who thrive when they can apply academic learning to meaningful community work. Students who participate in this program have improved graduation rates and reduced disciplinary referrals.
The grant will support Freedom Farmers’ plans to expand to a district-wide model in the 2024/2025 school year and find more sustainable funding sources and expand their program to the 8th grade. Over the last five years, students produced 63,557 pounds of produce for the Olympia School District, the Thurston County Food Bank, SafePlace, and the City of Olympia Summer Kids in Parks Program (SKIPP). Students participate in “Tend, Gather, Grow” curriculum based on indigenous Tribal educators’ ethnobotany curriculum. They learn about native plants and their roles in ecosystem resilience, including carbon sequestration. They learn about native plants for their food, technology, and medicinal qualities, and even the social/emotional lessons those plants provide us as humans. Students also are implementing climate adaptive farming practices and engaging in climate restoration work through native habitat stewardship.
Congratulations to Olympia High School Freedom Farmers! We are so grateful for the work you do.
