Sen. Blakespear Presents Check to San Juan Capistrano for La Novia Community Farm

Sen. Catherine Blakespear (center) presents check to San Juan Capistrano Mayor Pro Tem John Campbell (right). Also in the photo (left) is Evan Marks, the Founder and Executive Director of The Ecology Center.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, presented a check on Friday to the City of San Juan Capistrano to fund the La Novia Community Farm project, which will turn 2 acres of vacant city land into a farm producing organic fruits, vegetables and herbs for schools, local chefs and the greater community.

The farm will be run by The Ecology Center, which is a 28-acre community farm and education center that focuses on regenerative, organic growing. The center, founded in 2008, operates a farm stand and provides hands-on education programs so school children can learn about healthy food, farming and the environment. 

Sen. Blakespear was able to secure $265,000 in this year’s state budget for the project. 

“As someone who is passionate about healthy, sustainable living, I am thrilled to see the work The Ecology Center is doing and how it is positively impacting the community,” Sen. Blakespear said. “I’m glad I was able to help fund the La Novia Community Farm project and expand organic farming in San Juan Capistrano.”

“The City of San Juan Capistrano is deeply grateful to Senator Blakespear for securing this meaningful investment in our community,” said San Juan Capistrano Mayor Pro Tem John Campbell. “This funding will support The Ecology Center’s efforts to transform the La Novia Farm site into a vibrant space that celebrates our City’s agrarian heritage and provides new opportunities for residents and students to engage in hands-on agricultural learning and community connection. Support like this from our state leadership recognizes the special work taking place in San Juan Capistrano and exemplifies the kind of partnership that drives shared success throughout our region.” 

“The Ecology Center is proud to be working with The City of San Juan Capistrano, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and now State Senator Catherine Blakespear to continue bringing agriculture back to Orange County,” said Jonathan Zaidman, The Ecology Center’s Vice President of Community. “This community farm will serve as an educational space, a nutritional resource, and an ecological hub.”

Groundbreaking for the La Novia Community Farm took place in early October. The first step has been to rebuild soil biology through composting and cover cropping on a lot that served as a construction fill area for decades. 

Next, the farm will take advantage of seasonal rains to support cover cropping during the fall and winter months. By next spring, The Ecology Center plans to have crops in the ground, with the first small-scale harvest and school lunch distribution beginning in summer.  

Regenerative farming aims to restore and improve soil health organically. Soil is enriched with nutrients by composting, cover cropping, reduced tillage and other practices. This process helps boost crop productivity and resilience and reduce the need for intensive irrigation.

In its 17 years of operation, The Ecology Center has trained hundreds of farmers and culinary leaders as well as hosted an estimated 300,000 visitors and engaged 250,000 children in farming and education programs. 

Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers coastal and northern San Diego County and south Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.