Area 2 Farms Visits Thomas Jefferson High School

This week, our team visited Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology to help demystify the farm practices that allow us to grow fresh, local food for our community. Their Environmental Impact Club, which is a thoughtful group of students eager to kickstart their own school garden, invited us to share more about the engineering and soil science behind our work at Area 2 Farms.

Paul, the farm’s engineer, explains how pneumatics power our SILO system.

Tex, the farm’s soil scientist, introduces students to our soil.

As a vertical, organic farm powered by robotics and biologically active soil, our system looks a little different from what most students expect when they hear “farming.” That’s exactly why these visits matter. We love showing young people that agriculture can be innovative, high-tech, and incredibly accessible, even in urban spaces where land is limited.

During our visit, we walked students through the fundamentals of our Silo system and its use of pneumatics to move crops through a full day cycle with precision and care. We also broke down the living soil that makes organic farming possible (from fungi and bacteria to worms and gasses) and how this ecosystem directly supports plant health and nutrient density.

Paul demonstrates the simplicity of a pneumatic system using a can crusher.

For us, these moments reflect what community connection is all about. When young people understand not just how food grows, but why growing food matters, they gain the power to transform their neighborhoods, their health, and their future. We’re grateful to TJHSST for welcoming us into their space, and we can’t wait to see what their Environmental Impact Club builds next.

Area 2 Farms for Schools

If your school, club, or community group is interested in visiting the farm or having us come to you, we’d love to connect. Together, we can make fresh, local food accessible to everyone.