Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Tamarra Jones, Interim Director, Public Health, Policy and Planning
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with The Health, Environment, Agriculture, and Learning Project, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with The Health, Environment, Agriculture and Learning Project, Inc. for further continuation of support and management of the San Mateo County School Farm, extending the term through June 30, 2027, and increasing the amount by $360,000 to an amount not to exceed $1,280,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2010, Public Health, Policy, and Planning (PHPP) has partnered with The Health, Environment, Agriculture and Learning (HEAL) Project, Inc. to manage the San Mateo County School Farm (School Farm) in Half Moon Bay. The HEAL Project, Inc. is uniquely qualified to manage the day-to-day operations of an agricultural education facility that serves students from County schools due to their agreement with the farm owner with whom they have a lease agreement to operate at no-cost. Students from low-income schools are prioritized for no-cost field trips to the School Farm.
On October 6, 2015, this Board approved an agreement with The HEAL Project Inc. to implement support of curriculum and infrastructure development for the School Farm for the term of October 15, 2015, through December 31, 2018, in an amount not to exceed $280,000.
On December 11, 2018, this Board approved an amendment to the agreement with The HEAL Project, Inc. to continue supporting The HEAL Project Inc. which manages the School Farm, extending the term through June 30, 2021, and increasing the amount by $280,000 to an amount not to exceed $560,000.
On June 29, 2021, this Board approved an amendment to the agreement with The HEAL Project, Inc. to continue supporting The HEAL Project Inc. in order to maintain the School Farm, extending the term through June 30, 2024, and increasing the amount by $360,000 to an amount not to exceed $920,000.
DISCUSSION:
San Mateo County Health is committed to creating a sustainable food system that ensures all residents have access to healthy food choices. The HEAL Project, Inc. has the technical expertise to manage the School Farm and to facilitate on-farm lessons that are aligned with California Content Standards. Students who visit the School Farm will become better acquainted with the local food system and, therefore, be more likely to make healthy food choices.
In their management of the County’s School Farm, The HEAL Project, Inc. provides County students with unique experiences that increase their knowledge of the food system and likely increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. From 2021 to 2024, 7,739 students visited the School Farm, including 2,005 students that fall under the Unduplicated Pupil Count (UPC).
In 2024, The HEAL Project, Inc. created the San Mateo County School Garden Handbook to provide a resource for schools to create and sustain educational garden programs. PHPP recommends extending the term of the agreement by three years through June 30, 2027, and increasing the amount by $360,000 to an amount not to exceed $1,280,000 in order to maintain the School Farm.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Attorney as to form.
The Contract Compliance Committee has approved a waiver request to amend the agreement for an additional three years.
It is anticipated that at least 2,250 students from across the County will visit the School Farm each year.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-2025 Estimated |
FY 2025-2026 Projected |
|
Number of students visiting the School Farm each year |
2,250 students |
2,250 students |
Equity Impact Statement:
San Mateo County (SMC) has a wealth of outdoor education opportunities for students, but those opportunities are not always experienced evenly. This initiative will positively impact students from the most vulnerable communities in SMC by supporting The HEAL Project, Inc. to reduce barriers for the highest need schools to visit the School Farm. The HEAL Project, Inc. prioritizes serving schools with a high percentage of UPC, defined as students classified as an English learner, eligible for a free or reduced-price meal, or is a foster youth. The HEAL Project, Inc. staff routinely conduct outreach to schools with high UPC to offer classes zero-cost field trips, early registration, and bus stipends to visit the School Farm.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the amended agreement is October 15, 2015, through June 30, 2027. This amendment increases the contract amount by $360,000 to an amount not to exceed $1,280,000 for the full term of the agreement. Of the amended amount, $120,000 is included in the PHPP FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget; similar arrangements will be made for future years. The amended amount is 100% funded by Net County Cost.