Agriculture has been part of Fairplex’s mission since the Los Angeles County Fair Association was established more than 100 years ago. Today, that mission continues at The Farm, where fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers are grown year-round. More than a Fair exhibit, The Farm serves as an outdoor classroom for the community, offering hands-on learning experiences and agriculture education. Here’s a look at what the team accomplished over the past year.
Growing Produce, Growing Minds
The Farm’s work goes well beyond growing crops. Over the past year, the team:
- Cultivated more than 250 varieties of California specialty crops and produced more than 9,000 seedlings.
- Harvested 5,944 pounds of food, including more than 300 points donated to the community. Much of the harvest was used at McKinley’s Grille restaurant at the Sheraton Fairplex.
- Diverted 15,961 pounds of food scraps from landfills for composting, returning valuable nutrients to the soil.
- Supported educational field trips, hosted weekly visits from OPARC adults with disabilities, and offered gardening workshops in partnership with the UC Master Gardener Program.
- Welcomed tours and learning experiences for Sheraton guests, local garden clubs, college students, and agriculture organizations.
At the Fair and Beyond
The Farm’s educational reach expanded during the 2026 LA County Fair and Fall In The Farm, welcoming more than 10,000 guests to the Outdoor Learning Lab during the Fair and another 5,000 during Fall In The Farm.
Community partnerships brought even more opportunities to learn. The Chino Basin Water Conservation District featured California native plants, while UC Master Gardeners offered expert talks, plant demonstrations, and gardening advice. UC Master Food Preservers also demonstrated ways to preserve harvests, including produce grown right at The Farm.
What’s New at The Farm?
The team also introduced new projects and expanded existing educational spaces, including:
- California Native Plant Garden: Highlighting edible and medicinal native plants and water-wise gardening in partnership with Chino Basin Water Conservation District.
- Culinary Farmhouse: Showcasing specialty crops and their culinary potential.
- Owl West Education Garden: Expanded with a lavender sensory walk highlighting mental health awareness and an orchard featuring trees donated by the Pasadena Audubon Society.
- College Collaboration: Partnered with Rio Hondo College’s Brewmaster Program to showcase hops grown at The Farm.
The Farm also earned California Producers’ Certification, adding another milestone to a year of growing, teaching, and connecting the community to agriculture.
From cultivating crops to creating hands-on learning experiences, The Farm continues to bring Fairplex’s agricultural mission to life all year long.
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