Meet Julie Burton | Coordinator of Innovation and Farm Lab Development for EUSD

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Burton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, how does your business help the community?
I work for Encinitas Union School District. I run Farm Lab, an innovative, 10 acre property in Encinitas. It hosts two key components that build awareness of health and wellness, sustainability, and climate change education: a regenerative organic production farm and the DREAMS satellite sustainability campus.

Farm Lab’s farm was the first certified organic farm owned by a school district in the nation. The certified organic farm supplies an average of 12K pounds of fresh produce annually for use on daily salad bars and in scratch made lunch items at all nine school sites. Growing our own produce has helped EUSD transform school lunch from packaged and processed to scratch cooked, fresh, and healthy. The shift has led to increased student participation, student awareness of food systems, more access to local, organic produce, and increased willingness for students to try new foods. Our nationally recognized farm to school program earned an innovation award from the Center for Ecoliteracy in 2019, and was highlighted in a webinar on transforming food systems hosted by the Green Schools National Network in 2020. Any produce overages are donated to local food banks and resource centers.

As the farm has grown, Farm Lab shifted from traditional organic farming practices to a full regenerative agriculture model. We received Real Organic Project certification in 2021. The use of compost, mulch, cover crop, and low till practices has turned what was once fill dirt into healthy, living soil. The way EUSD farms produces more nutrient rich food and sequesters higher levels of carbon than traditional farming methods. The Farm Lab project mitigates climate change by how it grows food for student lunches. Additionally, there is no packaging waste, minimal processing is required, and our produce only travels 2.3 miles to the central kitchen. The Farm Lab project provides nutritious food, builds healthy eating habits, and minimizes the district’s carbon footprint.

Farm Lab is also the home of the award-winning DREAMS satellite sustainability campus (Design, Research, Engineering, Art, Math and Science) that provides innovative, project and place-based environmental education to all 4800 kindergarten through grade 6 students. The enviro-literacy curriculum aligns with grade level Next Generation Science Standards, UN Sustainability goals, and the California Environmental Principles and Concepts. DREAMS educators model design thinking and the integration of indoor and outdoor education through innovative, 4PBL (Project, Place, Problem & Phenomena based learning) for all visitors. Students engage in meaningful, solution oriented environmental education, while visiting educators observe best practice in science instruction. DREAMS educational programming received a Banner Award from Classrooms of the Future in 2019, and was highlighted as a model in student centered education in Dr. Katie Martin’s Evolving Education published in 2021. Farm Lab was most recently awarded the coveted Golden Bell Award in Climate Change Innovation from CSBA.

Farm Lab has also evolved into a community gathering space. We have hosted I Love a Clean SD’s annual Zero Waste fair, farm dinners, and several environmental film nights. School PTAs have hosted their parent night fundraisers on site, which is a great way to further support our own district. 

Lastly, Farm Lab is supporting other organizations through land lease. We lease one acre of our property to the Encinitas Community Garden so local families have the opportunity to grow their own organic produce.  We also lease our south acre of growing fields to BeeWorthy Farms. They grow certified organic flowers and herbs, and support as consultants on the farm. It’s a true win-win.

Farm Lab minimizes the district’s footprint, promotes sustainability awareness, and provides climate change education – while simultaneously inspiring other like minded school districts around the nation. EUSD grows organic produce, green inspiration and the next generation of change agents.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I began my education career as a first grade teacher. After returning following a lengthy maternity leave, I opted to work in the intervention space, as teaching reading was my passion. This position evolved into a more administrative role coordinating student services for students having behavioral or academic challenges. I returned to school for my masters degree and got my administrative credential. My role then expanded to include being the International Baccalaureate Coordinator. That involved collaboratively developing units of study around deep understandings – including our responsibility to be stewards of the earth. It was my experience in this last role that aligned my skill set with my current position. I was initially hired as an instructional leader with the intention to redesign and improve the environmental learning experiences at the DREAMS Campus. and After our farm management partnership with a non-profit organization dissolved, I assumed all farm and production management responsibilities, as well. 

As you can see, my education career path was not typical – and my current leadership position is unique in the public school system. It’s important to share that I did not originally apply for my position. I knew very little about farming, so the thought of leading ‘Farm Lab’ was very intimidating. After being strongly encouraged to apply by district leaders that knew my strengths and skill set, I reconsidered. And I’m so grateful I did! I absolutely LOVE what I do and have found it to be the perfect role for me. Let my path be a reminder that you don’t have to know everything to be impactful and successful in a role with a lot of unknowns. Be passionate, be inspired, know your WHY, and be fearless in your pursuit. Yes, you can!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a north county coastal girl, so beach days, stand up paddling, and sunsets on the sand are a must! Rent an e-bike in Carlsbad and grab breakfast at Cafe Topes or grab a latte at Baba Coffee. Ride along the coast and back; you’ll likely spot dolphins. Got Oysters? Stop at the oyster farm for a tour and tapas. If you ride south to Poinsettia, you can stop at the camp store – and likely stumble on great live music. For a casual dinner, Le Papagayo is a town fave. For something a little higher end try Campfire, Paon, Vigilluci’s or June et Jolie. Ice Cream at Handels for dessert and Crackheads for Taco Tuesday are must dos!

For a day trip I’d ride the coaster to downtown and grab brunch at Morning Glory in Little Italy. You can also walk along the marina or head to Petco Park for a Padres game. The rooftop cinema in the summer is a great option, too.

For nearby hiking, Annie’s Trail in Solana beach is unique, and so is the Hochi Min Trail to Black’s Beach in La Jolla. A bit inland you can find the more challenging (and photo op worthy) Potato Chip Rock hike.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not have had the opportunity to build this project into what it has become without EUSD leadership, the incredible DREAMS Campus teachers, and my Farm Team! It takes a village, or a farm-ily. 

Website: https://farmlab.eusd.net/

Instagram: @eusdfarmlab