A Farm in Silicon Valley? You Betcha
Orchards and farms have all but disappeared from the Valley of Heart’s Delight.
But look closely, beyond the chips and wafers that now grow in the Santa Clara Valley, and you’ll still find a few, including the inspiring Full Circle Farm, an 11-acre, organic, educational farm designed to supply fresh produce to Santa Clara Unified School District cafeterias.
Last year, the farm grew more than 40,000 pounds of fruits and veggies, 10,000 pounds of which were donated to local food banks and shelters. The farm also supplied weekly produce to 55 community sponsored agriculture share holders and operated a year-round farm stand on its grounds. Moreover, it provided fresh vegetables to the school district’s children’s lunch program, where nearly half the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
The farm has helped kids learn about growing, harvesting and marketing their crops. A science and nutrition program, a teen apprenticeship program, and a mentoring program for at-risk teens also are in the works.
On Sept. 23, you can enjoy a gourmet dinner on the farm, and help ensure its future.
The “Fall Harvest Feast,” a benefit to celebrate the third anniversary of the farm, will feature farm-fresh produce in a dinner prepared by Chef Michael Miller, executive chef of the Silicon Valley Capital Club in San Jose and former owner of Trevese restaurant in Los Gatos.
The evening will begin with a champagne reception at Raynor Park, followed by dinner on the farm, which will include braised ribs, chicken with plum sauce, citrus prawns, sage polenta, almond cake and chocolate truffles. Guests also will get a chance to bid on silent auction items that include private wine tastings, dinners and even a ride in a Tesla.
Be sure to wear comfy shoes, too, so you can enjoy a moonlit tour of the farm.
Tickets are $85 per person.
More: Learn More About Chef Mike Miller of the Silicon Valley Capital Club
Super idea! Wish I could!
Full Circle Farm has been one of my to-do lists ever since I am back. It is still a to-do till today and when I am back, it should be a must-do.
It’s a great place to volunteer on Wednesdays and Saturdays, especially for those with kids of all ages. Everyone’s super friendly, you learn a little bit about organic farming and chickens. And if you spend some time working in the volunteer garden they’ll send you home with a bucket of delicious produce. It’s become our Wed morning ritual.
I ordered my tickets today. After reading your previous article about Michael Miller, it sounded too good to miss the opportunity.
What an awesome venture! I love that it’s goal is to educate children on nutrition and expose them to good quality foods!
That is a cool adventure!! I wish I could go but it is at the other end of the world for me!
too bad!
What a fantastic sounding Event Carolyn! Will you be there? 🙂
What a lovely idea, a moonlit tour of a farm. Sounds so romantic in a foodie kind of way 🙂
What a wonderful farm. I love how they give so much back to the children and the community!
Sweet, I so love stories like this, so glad to hear that this one is close to home.
It’s great to hear of productive farms popping up where there not expected anymore. It’s also great to hear when farms are contributing to school lunch programs. Great news!
Wow. Fresh food for children that actually works. It’s a relief to know there’s an under 15 year old set eating something more than ‘chicken nuggets’ for lunch. Long live the family farmer!
Love it, love it!!!! Way to go. So encouraging to see this kind of effort and work being done.
I wish we had visited the farm before we left San Jose.
What a great opportunity, to have dinner on the farm right in Silicon Valley. Usually you have to go out to Half Moon Bay or up to Napa for this kind of a dinner.
D’oh! How have I not heard of this farm before? It’s about a mile fron my house. Will be visiting tomorrow.
Thank you for the shoutout! We’re still here and operating full steam, so you’re welcome to stop by again 🙂
Nabeela: I will definitely take you up on that offer to visit. It’s so wonderful to see a farm thriving in an urban setting like that, too.