Students at Rosemont High School hope Saturday will leave them feeling green.
Rosemont is hosting the Fourth Annual Urban AgFest this weekend to raise money for the school's Green Academy, which helps students learn about sustainable jobs through a hands-on curriculum.
At the event, Rosemont culinary students will serve salad raised in the school's garden and offer a walking tour through different green projects on campus.
The Urban AgFest is produced through Slow Food Sacramento in connection with the Edible Schoolyard, founded in 1996 by Berkeley chef Alice Waters. Tickets to the dinner will raise money for several Sacramento area schools with sustainable gardens, including Sacramento Waldorf and O.W. Erlewine Elementary School.
Rosemont's Green Academy first started a year ago and now has 180 students enrolled in culinary, geology, masonry and construction technology classes.
"I really think the Green Academy will be something for decades that kids will be excited about," said Leise Martinez, principal at Rosemont.
The academy is designed to give students a better understanding of the green economy and spark an interest in pursuing careers in sustainable agriculture, green architecture and organic cuisine.
Victoria Mao, a Rosemont junior, said she wasn't sure about her future after high school until getting involved with the Green Academy. Now, she's president of the environmental club and wants to be a conservation scientist someday.
"It really opened my eyes to the realities of the world and the things we can do to help the school," said Mao, who recently helped Rosemont win a $500,000 district grant for the Green Academy.
The AgFest starts Saturday at Rosemont High School with a reception at 4 p.m. During the reception, several Sacramento area schools will have presentations and booths showcasing their sustainable projects.
There will be a three-course catered dinner and a silent auction starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 for the reception and the dinner; tickets for just the reception are $20. To buy tickets to Saturday's event or to sponsor the Urban AgFest, click here.
