Guide to the University of California, Irvine, Farm School records AS.204
Finding aid prepared by Sarah Glover, 2019; updated by Sarah Glover, 2021.
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
(cc) 2021
The UCI Libraries
P.O. Box 19557
University of California, Irvine
Irvine 92623-9557
spcoll@uci.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
Title: University of California, Irvine, Farm School records
Creator:
University of California, Irvine. Farm School.
Identifier/Call Number: AS.204
Physical Description:
3 Linear Feet
(1 records carton and 4 document boxes)
Physical Description:
0.05 Gigabytes
(13 digital files)
Date (inclusive): 1976-2007
Abstract: This collection comprises the records of the University of California, Irvine Farm School, which provided an alternative education
to children ages 5 to 12 years old between 1969 and 2007. The collection includes administrative records of the Farm School
between 1976 and 2007, as well as documentation of events, such as reunions and science fairs, and photographs.
Language of Material:
English
.
Access
The collection is open for research. The collection contains digital materials. It is minimally processed, but is open for
research. Please contact the Department of Special Collections and Archives in advance to request access.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California. Copyrights are retained by the creators of the records and their
heirs. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the University Archivist.
Preferred Citation
University of California, Irvine, Farm School records. AS-204. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries,
Irvine, California. Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Acquisition Information
Transferred by Greg M. Jue, 2019.
Processing History
Processed by Sarah Glover, 2019.
Historical Background
The Farm School at the University of California, Irvine was an experimental elementary school established in 1969, which provided
alternative education to children 5 to 12 years old. It was co-founded by UC Irvine professor Michael Butler along with other
faculty who had become disenchanted with public education. Inhabiting three remodeled farmhouses that were originally part
of the Irvine Ranch, the Farm School took around 50 students per year and provided a non-traditional ungraded learning environment
that incorporated their rural surroundings. In Butler's own words, they "wanted a school where children would learn to do
what finders and makers do, not just master more or less badly and mechanically, some scattered things they have worked out."
Besides serving the community as a school, the Farm School also served the School of Social Sciences as an instructional and
research site. The Farm School was part of the original progressive mission of UC Irvine, but its future was not written into
a comprehensive plan for the campus' growing population. In 2007, the school was forced to close its doors due to several
factors, including a lawsuit brought on by one of its longest standing teachers, Karen Minns, and the Anteater Recreation
Center development.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection comprises the administrative records of the University of California, Irvine Farm School from 1976 to 2007,
including policies and procedures; guidelines and forms; rosters; sign-in sheets; new student paperwork and handbooks; meeting
agendas and notes; teaching materials and handouts; phone message books; information about events such as reunions and science
fairs; documentation on the discussions surrounding the future of the Farm School in 2005 and 2006; letters from former students,
teachers, and parents in support of the school; and photographs.
Collection Arrangement
The collection is arranged in its original order.
Separation Note
An oversized poster board of photographs was removed from the collection due to its deteriorating condition. Photographs of
this board were taken and are available by request.
Administrative records Series 1.
1976-2007
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative records created by the University of California, Irvine Farm School between 1976 and 2007.
Series Arrangement
The series is arranged in its original order.
box 1, folder 1-4
Phone message books
2001-2003
Box 2, Folder 1-4
Phone message books
2003-2007
box 3, folder 1
Phone message books
undated
box 3, folder 3
Pre-school programs
2005-2006
box 3, folder 4
Research outlines and forms
1996-2004
box 3, folder 5
Contacts and networking
2005
box 3, folder 6
Field trip guidelines and waivers
undated
box 3, folder 7
Grants and research
2005-2006
box 3, folder 8
Department Manager meetings
2004
box 3, folder 9
Human Resources
circa 2004
box 3, folder 10
Insurance policies
2001-2006
box 3, folder 11-13
Development
circa 2002-2004
box 3, folder 14
Educational assessment counseling
undated
box 3, folder 15
Fire drill report
undated
box 3, folder 16
Orange Coast College Lab School policies
1989-2001
box 3, folder 17
Asperger's Syndrome
circa 2000
box 3, folder 19
Daycare sign-in
1996-2007
box 3, folder 20
Admission forms
circa 2003
box 3, folder 22
Emergency procedures
2003
box 3, folder 23
Social Science forms
circa 2000
box 3, folder 24
Education and health guidelines
circa 1995-2005
box 3, folder 25
UCI policy
circa 1995-2003
box 3, folder 26
Former student letters
1996-1997
box 3, folder 27
Science Fair Irvine Unified School District
1995-2001
box 3, folder 28-29
Telephone roster and useful information
1976-2005
box 3, folder 30
New student paperwork
2001-2002
box 3, folder 31
Parent survival guide
undated
box 3, folder 35
Teaching materials
undated
box 3, folder 39
Spring 2004 undergrad assignments
2004
box 3, folder 42
BKH clean up jobs and schedule
2003
box 3, folder 43
Workman's compensation guidelines and forms
circa 2006
box 3, folder 45
Staff meetings and calendars
2004-2007
box 4, folder 1
Farm School policy
1996-2003
box 4, folder 2-3
Future of the Farm School
2005-2006
box 4, folder 5
Work Study program
1999-2000
box 4, folder 6-7
Letters from former students, parents, and teachers
1997
box 4, folder 8
Various leaflets and correspondence
undated
box 4, folder 10
Unit 18 appointments
2003
box 5, folder 2
Cultural and historical resources impact analysis for the proposed east campus recreation center
1997
box 5, folder 3
Letters to parents
1990-2001
box 5, folder 4
Nancy Enoch reclassification
2004-2005
