Amelia Sedano McDonald '92 returns to campus for PolyConnect lunch

Amelia Sedano McDonald ’92 returned to campus last week to speak with Upper School students at the first PolyConnect lunch of the year. Amelia described the journey from practicing law to becoming an urban farmer and the important role her farm plays in the community. Amelia and her family founded McDonald's Urban Farm in Altadena after purchasing a property with an established orchard and much more potential. The two-acre farm specializes in hyperlocal food, sustainable organic farming, and community outreach. Once a month, Amelia travels one mile by battery-powered golf cart to the Altadena Farmers Market, where she connects with neighbors and sells seasonal vegetables, fruit, canned produce, eggs, and free-range chicken. She and her husband, John, also host classes, such as Urban Chicken Keeping, Farm-to-Table Cooking, and The Business of Urban Farming for adults. But her greatest joy is sharing her passion for sustainability and self-sufficiency with children (especially her daughter, Charlotte '25) as the local 4-H leader of dairy goat and urban agriculture programs, as well as through the Girl Scouts, including Poly’s sixth-grade troop.  

 

Amelia explained to the Upper School students what sustainability means to her, and she discussed the potential for feeding a family, or a community, from small urban farms. She spoke about the importance of knowing where food comes from and the purpose of a farm like hers to educate and inspire the community to live more sustainably. Amelia concluded by showing examples of ancient grain corn she harvested on her farm and how it is processed to make tortillas — an experience that connects her to her ancestors who were also farmers. To connect with Amelia and watch a recording of her presentation, sign in to the PolyConnect* online platform.*

 

*PolyConnect online is currently open to alumni and Poly juniors and seniors. For more information or questions, please contact Katherine Vieser, director of alumni and community relations.