We’re glad to hear that San Benito County has finally found a
good use for the vacant Matulich property the high school owns.
Trustees announced the land will be dedicated to the agriculture
department, allowing 4-H students to learn about farming hands-on
by growing row crops there.
We’re glad to hear that San Benito County has finally found a good use for the vacant Matulich property the high school owns. Trustees announced the land will be dedicated to the agriculture department, allowing 4-H students to learn about farming hands-on by growing row crops there.
It’s an ideal use for the 23 acre property that sits along an earthquake fault and one that will encourage students to pursue agriculture studies while at San Benito High School.
Though San Benito County has seen tremendous change over the last few decades, agriculture is still at the heart of this community and creating a place where local students can learn about farming is extremely appropriate and important. The new land will put agriculture on the school grounds, where it belongs, and hopefully encourage more students to learn about the industry.
In addition to providing students a learning classroom outside, the decision will save the district about $12,000 a year. Over the past seven years that the district has owned the parcel, it has paid a $13,000 penalty under the state-mandated Unused Site Program. Using the land for farming will cost the school about 1,000 a year in irrigation costs.
We agree that having people actually using the land could also discourage polluters from dumping their trash in the nearby San Benito river, a problem that occurred for decades.
We hope that as students use the Matulich property for farming they can find a worthy destination for the fruits of their labor as well – one that could benefit the entire community. One good option would be donating the produce to Second Harvest Food Bank – a nonprofit organization that feeds numerous needy families in San Benito County and the Central Coast. Of course, students should also sell the produce at Hollister’s Farmers Market to raise money for more 4-H projects.
Just a few years ago, membership in 4-H at home and nationwide was declining. Since the arrival of Kelly Bianchi as the schools Ag Chair, a rennaissance has occurred and more students are interested in joining the organization. It’s great to see the school not only realizes this positive change, but also is supporting it.
