"We're only one of two chapters in California anyway that don't have a school farm, so the community believes that it is a deficiency in the quality of learning. So having a school farm is going to give us a lot more opportunity," said John Olivas, Hanford Vocational Agriculture.
Olivas is with the Hanford Foundation for Vocational Agriculture-- he said there are nearly 900 students in Hanford's FFA and for decades students had their own farms at home for class projects.
"Now with the urban growth that we have, and the popularity of agriculture as class work and as an industry, we have a lot more kids coming from an urban household."
On Monday officials broke ground on the first phase of the project that sits right next to Sierra Pacific High School in Hanford.
The $3-million project is being paid for through mix grants, donations, and money from Measure W.
Students from all three high schools in the district will have access to the new farm and facilities to raise animals.
"We're looking forward to getting our classes out here and letting them see some of that farm life and we have been talking about today, that they probably don't get to see on a daily basis," said Annie Andersen, Agriculture Teacher.
Hanford High has a small farm for some animals, but teachers said they have outgrown that facility. FFA students are excited about getting hands on experience right on their own campus.
"You are enrolled in AG classes and you are learning about the agriculture industry and where your food actually comes from, and really learn that everything really depends on agriculture," said Lindsey Ryan, Hanford High School Student.
Construction is expected to be complete this October and construction on classrooms and labs for phase two will take place later in the future.