A new partnership between Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District and Newman FFA is bringing locally raised pork to school meals while providing students with hands-on experience in agricultural production.
The initiative, led by NCLUSD Chief Business Officer Caralyn Mendoza, is designed to ensure students see a return on investment in their livestock projects while also creating a sustainable food source for the district’s nutrition program.
Last summer, Mendoza recognized a growing challenge for FFA students participating in the Stanislaus County Fair livestock auction. Many students were struggling to break even on their animal projects due to a lower turnout of buyers and declining auction prices. To encourage participation and ensure financial stability, she received approval from the district superintendent to purchase swine and poultry projects directly from students at set prices.
“We purchased swine projects from Newman FFA students at $6 per pound and poultry projects for $300 each,” Mendoza explained. “We also extended our support to other FFA chapters, buying additional swine at $3 per pound and turkeys for $200 each.”
In total, the district acquired 10 swine and 13 turkeys, which were processed and incorporated into school breakfast and lunch menus under the NCLUSD brand. Nutrition Director Maria Barrera worked closely with Mendoza to introduce these locally sourced proteins to students, and they quickly became a favorite in school meals.
“We didn’t know how long the meat would last, but by October, it was completely gone,” Mendoza said.
While purchasing fair animals was a strong first step, Mendoza recognized that it was not a sustainable long-term strategy for supplying the district’s nutrition program. This led to discussions with Orestimba High School agriculture teacher Kevin McGuire about establishing a commercial hog operation.
Unlike traditional show animals, which cost $500 to $750 each and require expensive feed, this program allows students to purchase feeder pigs at $150 each and feed them commercial grow feed at $0.32 per pound. The district has secured a sale price of $2.25 per pound for the pigs, which will weigh approximately 300 pounds at maturity. This means each student will see an estimated profit of $285 per animal — a more reliable return compared to the unpredictable fair auction prices.
The first group of hogs is currently being raised at the OHS Farm, named in honor of longtime agricultural educator and administrator Joe Terra. His legacy of supporting agricultural education remains an inspiration for students and educators alike. Mendoza credits his encouragement for helping move this project forward.
“We want to continue to honor Joe Terra’s contributions to the district by being innovative and offering opportunities to students,” she said.
This initiative serves two key purposes: enhancing student learning opportunities while also improving the quality and sustainability of the district’s nutrition program.
On the educational side, the program offers students real-world experience in raising livestock. They are responsible for feeding and caring for the animals daily, as well as maintaining their pens. As the pigs grow, they will be separated to ensure proper care and weight gain.
“This project makes it possible for more students to participate in FFA animal projects because it’s a lower-cost option compared to show pigs,” Mendoza said. “For others, it’s a way to raise more than one animal and strengthen their FFA American Degree applications.”
From a nutrition standpoint, the district benefits by integrating locally sourced pork into school meals at a cost-effective price. While the district will continue to support FFA students at the fair, this commercial hog operation creates a steady, year-round supply of meat.
The first group started with 10 hogs, but Mendoza expects to expand to 20 by August, ensuring a supply that will last through December. To support further growth, the district has applied for an additional grant that would expand its partnership with Newman FFA. This funding would allow for the addition of cold storage at Von Renner Elementary, making it possible to store more locally raised meat.
The commercial hog operation is just one piece of a larger effort to integrate locally produced food into the school nutrition program. The OHS Agriculture Department is currently preparing its on-campus greenhouse to grow fresh produce for school meals, further advancing the district’s farm-to-table initiative.
“We are following the USDA’s guidance that schools in the National School Lunch Program should source food locally whenever possible,” Mendoza said. “This project helps us achieve that goal in a way that benefits both our students and our district.”
Looking ahead, Mendoza hopes to expand into local beef procurement once additional storage space becomes available.
“This is an opportunity to enhance both our nutrition program and agricultural education,” she said. “It also helps with program sustainability, just like the almond orchard we’ve developed.”
With strong student engagement and district support, the commercial hog operation is poised to become a model for other school districts looking to integrate agriculture into their meal programs. By combining hands-on learning with real-world impact, Newman FFA and NCLUSD are paving the way for a more sustainable future — one pig at a time.
