EUSD adds health instructor with agricultural focus
The Encinitas Union School District, a National Green Ribbon School District, announces the selection of Emily Staalberg as a health and wellness instructor.
With a keen agricultural focus, Staalberg will be working with Healthy Day Partners at Farm Lab and Ocean Knoll Farm establishing best practices in agricultural science for EUSD’s school lunch program at both sites.
Staalberg comes to EUSD’s wellness team with previous work experience that includes leadership positions at La Milpa Organica Farm’s 5-acre crop production parcel and San Pasqual Academy’s 15-acre agricultural program where she worked with foster youth, supervised a team of farm employees, managed volunteers and prepared the curriculum for a Small Farm Entrepreneur class while implementing successful growing strategies. She earned a BA in Speech and Communications from Cal State Stanislaus that has served her well in her many roles at each establishment.
“This opportunity has professional and personal implications,” Staalberg said. “I believe we are going to continue to shift the public consciousness and collaboratively create agricultural-based education that addresses real life issues such as food justice, sustainability, nutrition and more.”
Like all farmers worth their salt, Staalberg also brings with her strong problem-solving skills, technical expertise for tracking crops, marketing and distribution know-how, and the ever-important skill of driving a tractor!
Recently named a National Green Ribbon School District by the U.S. Department of Education, EUSD is a leader in green efforts as well as in the development and implementation of a comprehensive Health and Wellness Program.
Superintendent Tim Baird shared his confidence in Staalberg’s hiring and is looking forward to innovative student experiences and agricultural science systems at the EUSD Farm Lab and Ocean Knoll Farm.
“Emily is a wonderful addition to our team,” he said. “The experience, knowledge, and success gained at similar institutions makes her a perfect fit to lead the agricultural efforts at EUSD.”