Members of the Summit-Waller community and Franklin Pierce Schools are meeting to discuss uses for a property known officially as the Natural Science Resource Center, and unofficially as “The Farm.”

The site, nearly 10 acres at the corner of Waller Road and 96th Street East, was purchased by the district in 1970 for just more than $44,000. Pierce County lists the property’s current assessed value at $595,100.

Since the purchase, the rustic property – complete with aging farmhouse, greenhouses and portable classroom buildings – has hosted a variety of programs, including high school horticulture classes. The portable classrooms now hold the school district’s 105 students in the New Pathways alternative learning program.

But much of the property’s surrounding farmland is unused, and the horticulture program no longer exists.

Members of the Summit-Waller Community Association “have been concerned about the farm for quite a while,” said Larry Volland, one of the co-founders of the neighborhood group.

“We noticed that the agriculture program located there had been terminated,” he said. “We were concerned about deterioration of the physical infrastructure at the site. We felt it was such a valuable piece of property for the school district.”

He and others have met with district officials to see if the property might be revived to provide new programs that would educate students about modern agribusiness, organic farming techniques, the value of good nutrition and more.

“We’re excited about the kinds of learning opportunities that can take place out there,” said school district spokesman Willie Painter.

He said the district and community members are discussing lots of options, including growing organic produce on the property and serving it for school lunches.

A committee that met to discuss uses for the farm in September came up with a draft statement that would encourage use of the property to promote nutritional education and environmental stewardship. Educators see ways to use the farm to teach science, health, math and business classes.

Selling the property hasn’t been discussed by the group, Painter said.

The committee plans to come up with a plan for the property by April.

Debbie Cafazzo: 253-597-8635

debbie.cafazzo@thenewstribune.com