The team has perfected the soil and fertilizer to eliminate bugs and pathogens, while the enclosed space keeps birds and pests out, protecting the fragile seeds. Photo courtesy of Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm

ORANGEVALE-FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - Step into the Casa Roble Fundamental High School greenhouse and you’ll feel the heater's warmth and smell the fresh earth, a perfect environment for growth. Since the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm opened, this greenhouse has been vital in helping to feed the community.

Each week, Food Bank farm manager Lacey Yuke and dedicated volunteers start nearly every vegetable plant from seed at the greenhouse before planting them at the farm. This season, they’re taking care of bok choy, lettuce, cabbage, herbs, onions and more.

“We are thankful to Casa Roble for partnering with us on the greenhouse,” Yuke said. “It has been essential for us to grow healthy, thriving vegetables to support local families.”

The greenhouse provides significant benefits to the farm. Its climate-controlled environment, with probes and heating pads, offers ideal temperatures for plant growth. The team has perfected the soil and fertilizer to eliminate bugs and pathogens, while the enclosed space keeps birds and pests out, protecting the fragile seeds.

The greenhouse provides significant benefits to the farm. Its climate-controlled environment, with probes and heating pads, offers ideal temperatures for plant growth. Photo courtesy of Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm

Resident Kathy Avakian has been the farm's lead greenhouse volunteer. Her dedication to the greenhouse underscores its importance to the farm and one of her favorite parts is working alongside students in the spring during their plant sale.

“I love being part of a team that nourishes our community,” Avakian said. “We get to start the vegetables at the greenhouse, nourish them at the farm and then they get harvested.”

The greenhouse’s impact extends beyond the Food Bank Farm. Avakian uses her education and training to support local gardeners through the Orangevale Farm and Garden Club and by distributing extra seeds at events and community stands.

Stay connected with the Food Bank Farm by signing up for a newsletter at foodbank.farm or follow the food bank on Facebook and Instagram to see how you can help make a difference.