The Pirate Patch is Oxford Public Schools’ Farm-to-School agricultural education program, launched through the Massachusetts FRESH Grant (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health). This initiative connects students to the food system by growing fresh produce right on campus in our greenhouse, courtyard gardens, and small apple orchard. Harvests from The Pirate Patch are incorporated into our school meal programs, giving students a direct link from “seed to tray.” Beyond feeding our cafeterias, the project provides hands-on learning in science, nutrition, and sustainability—cultivating both healthy habits and environmental stewardship across the district.