Establishing Our Roots
18 years ago, the founding families of Stonebridge School intended to develop a real, dynamic farming program as part of our Waldorf-inspired curriculum. It certainly makes sense since farming-- particularly wine grapes-- is the cornerstone of the Napa Valley economy. Through work on our own organic farm, students would be connected to their local community in exciting ways and provided a real seed-to-fork farming experience: planting, growing, harvesting, cooking and then, eating what they grow. When SBS moved out to the Carneros school site in 2010, this intention became a reality.
In late February of 2014, Napa Valley Unified School District transferred over to us management of four acres of land that surround our campus to use for our new farm program, and in March of 2014, we broke ground. Our Farm now includes 1.5 acres of organic vegetable crops, three acres of wine grapes (chardonnay), a 50+ collection of fruit trees, chicken egg-laying house with 45 ladies, 3 honeybee hives, and a Farm Lunch program. SBS students contribute real, honest, hard work towards the care of the farm and vineyard through tasks that arise along the course of the seasonal growing year, which includes: planting, irrigating, harvesting, cooking and eating the vegetables, viticulture work, orchard care, weed control, beekeeping, small animal care, composting, and farm-related building projects. During the course of the year, 6-8th grade students are given an opportunity that is (ironically) unusual in our area of the state--working in a real producing vineyard to learn about the care of grapes. Students have the opportunity to experience work in the vineyard throughout the season, participating in pruning, suckering, and leaf management. 100% of the money generated through the harvest and sale of our organically farmed grapes and vegetable crops heads back to support our growing farm program. We have been certified Organic through the State of CA since 2015. Our campus and farm is one of only three schools in Northern California that is certified Organic. |
Our VisionOur vision is a world where human beings have a sustainable relationship with the living earth.
Our Mission
Stone Bridge School Farm & Vineyard is an organic, student-centered, working farm where students joyfully engage in purposeful work to develop skills, nurture self sufficiency, increase the vitality of the community while cultivating a sense of stewardship for the earth.
Our ValuesFood
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