Abraxas High School can do a lot with a $14,000 donation from the California Garden Clubs Inc, according to teachers and staff at the Poway campus.
And they have high hopes for doubling that amount.
It’s all for a good cause – expanding an existing orchard by planting fruit trees and adding pathways for pedestrians and wheelchairs so visitors can enjoy the tranquil setting.
Bob Lutticken, an agriculture and biology teacher at Abraxas, envisions transforming the orchard by pulling out weeds and replacing gravel with permanent walkways, then adding at least 15 fruit trees, trellises and a greenhouse.
“The orchard just needs to be polished up with new trees,” Lutticken said. “It needs to have a purpose and needs to be made special.”
Julie Gallant
A $14,000 donation to the Abraxas High School Foundation will go towards planting fruit trees and adding walkways along with other amenities at the school’s orchard. (Julie Gallant)
The orchard that grows near a ballfield outside the campus’ large aquaponics garden already has about 17 citrus, avocado and apple trees. The school’s goal is to supplement that with similar trees in addition to cherry, peach and pear trees. By planting more apple and apricot trees, Lutticken foresees freeze-drying fruit for year-round consumption.
Once the trees are planted and mulch is added, students will work on building a work station, outdoor sink and benches where classmates and staff can relax in the orchard, he said.
“We’ll have a group of students that will build it from head to toe,” Lutticken said of the at-risk and transitional special needs students at the school. “We’re going to build all the planter boxes, flower beds and work stations.”
The orchard project got a much-needed boost with a $14,000 donation from California Garden Clubs, Inc. (CGCI). The statewide organization of 228 garden clubs with 18,600 members presented a check to Lutticken at the school’s garden on Jan. 31.
Representing CGCI were its President Adele Kelly of Poway and Barbara Weiler of Vista, who is the President’s Project chairperson.
Kelly chose Abraxas Orchard Project as the club’s main fundraising project through the end of her term in June 2027, Weiler said. The entire fundraising goal for the duration of the two-year project is $30,000, she said.
Contributions have already been made by individuals, garden clubs in the state and at the club’s district level by the Palomar District of Garden Clubs, Weiler said.
Another contributor was the Youths’ Friends Association, which is expected to donate a matching grant of $10,000, Weiler said. The Massachusetts-based foundation supports organizations that help youths become productive citizens, she said.
Julie Gallant
Along with an orchard, Abraxas High students and staff grow produce at an aquaponics garden on campus. (Julie Gallant)
Kelly chose the project that is gaining wide support because it offers multi-faceted benefits to students and the community, Weller said. The orchard teaches students about agriculture, the garden teaches them about aquaponics, and after the fruits and vegetables are harvested the culinary students can get creative in learning about cooking and healthy diets, she said.
“When they have their farmers’ markets you see the enthusiasm in the students,” Weiler said. “They’re so proud and it’s really given them hope.”
The community-at-large also benefits from donations of surplus fresh produce, Lutticken said.
“We have people who come and take our harvests and then distribute it to others,” he said.
Julie Gallant
Abraxas High has a thriving garden that benefits agriculture, culinary arts and special needs students. (Julie Gallant)
Fundraising for the Abraxas Orchard Project is expected to continue at CGCI’s annual convention set for May 11-14 at the Handlery Hotel near Old Town in San Diego.
Weiler noted that the orchard and garden are especially helpful to students who prefer project-based lessons over sitting through lectures in classrooms.
“The students tell their teacher, ‘Mr. Bob, I just love learning about plants,’” she said. “He influences them in ways you can’t imagine. Their spirit soars around him.”
For more information visit the CGCi website at CaliforniaGardenClubs.com.
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