YES introduced a vital new position this year: Farmer!

Juan Jose Domingo, having years of farming experience, has joined the YES community and is already spearheading important projects to improve our Farm to School program. So far, he has created more garden space by extending the fencing and preparing the soil, turned the greenhouse into a production greenhouse, and completed site preparation for a new orchard including installing a rain garden to retain rainwater for the orchard’s soil. These projects are already encouraging an influx in the amount of fruits and vegetables grown on our campus. The Farm to School Coordinator, Sheila Rolfer, shared “We struggled last winter to procure organic, local produce and that problem has now been solved…he’s a real professional”. With Juan Jose, our winter worries can melt away; the promise of local, organic produce grown right on campus is an important and exciting change for YES. Cherrity Leyson, our Cafeteria Manager, is also thrilled to have a Farmer on the team, saying “…the experience Juan Jose brings with him is invaluable to a small farm just getting started…We not only have the potential to feed our student body with food we know is 100% local and organic but there is also the potential to share some of that bounty with the surrounding community”. Having the bulk of our produce grown on campus largely reduces the carbon footprint at YES and encourages farming education as students are able to see the process firsthand. The breakfasts and lunches served in our cafeteria using the produce Juan Jose is nurturing are sure to be some of the most nutritious and delicious ones yet. We are so excited to have Juan Jose Domingo as a part of the YES family, thank you for your hard work!