Morgan Hill Unified School District Student Nutrition Director Michael Jochner has received the 2026 California Food for California Kids Leadership and Innovation Award for his work advancing sustainable school meals and farm-to-school education.
The biennial award recognizes school nutrition leaders for innovative approaches to food programs and efforts to strengthen connections among schools, students, agriculture and local communities, says a statement from MHUSD.
Jochner helped develop FarmTECH, a 20-acre farming program operated by the district’s Student Nutrition Department. The program includes an 18-acre production farm and a two-acre educational site, combining school nutrition, agriculture and hands-on learning.
FarmTECH grows produce for school meals while teaching students about regenerative agriculture, ecology and agricultural technology. The program also partners with local farmers and gives students firsthand experience with how food is grown, according to MHUSD officials.
Students visit the farm to work alongside farmers, participate in growing produce and learn how sustainable agricultural practices can benefit the environment.
“Michael has been instrumental in advancing sustainable practices and creating meaningful opportunities for our students to connect with where their food comes from,” MHUSD Superintendent Carmen García said. “We are proud of his leadership, innovation and commitment to our students.”
Jochner said his recognition reflects years of professional cooking and a desire to improve school nutrition.
“Real food isn’t reformulated, so what better classroom than a farm to learn seed to plate,” he said.
The awards were presented Oct. 15 during the California Farm to School Summit at Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova.
