Students Volunteer at Meristem Autism Program

It’s not every day that high school students spend their day pulling weeds, hauling mulch, and bonding with chickens. But that’s exactly what Sacramento Adventist Academy students did on their volunteer day at the Meristem Autism Program, a unique learning environment for young adults on the autism and neurodivergent spectrum.

Located in Fair Oaks, Meristem doesn’t just teach life skills—it plants them, waters them, and composts them. Literally. The heart of the campus is a vibrant 13-acre organic farm where students grow produce, care for animals, and learn through doing. The farm supports their cafeteria and serves as one of their living classrooms.

Key Takeaways

Aspect	Details
What	SAA high school students volunteered at Meristem Autism Program
Where	Meristem’s 13-acre campus and farm in Fair Oaks, CA
Why	To assist in garden work that supports Meristem’s cafeteria and student training programs
Who Benefits	Young adults on the autism spectrum, and SAA students through shared service and understanding
Outcome	A meaningful day of teamwork, community impact, and getting very, very muddy
Partnership	Initiated by SAA alum Ileen Silva and Meristem’s volunteer coordinator, Twyla

The Power of Showing Up: Volunteer at Meristem

On this particular day, a group of SAA high schoolers showed up—ready to serve, learn, and maybe get a little muddy. Under the guidance of Meristem’s master gardener, Jana Boccalon, students worked side by side to weed, mulch, and beautify the farm’s garden beds.

“It worked out perfectly that the rain went away and our kids are here today,” said Michelle Piner – VP of Counseling & Admissions. That small shift in weather seemed symbolic of the bigger shift happening: a group of teenagers trading phones and desks for garden gloves and real-world purpose.

Where Learning Meets Life

Meristem’s educational model blends craft, work, and community-based experiences to support young adults as they transition into independent life. Some students live on campus; others commute. All of them are growing—not just vegetables, but confidence, capability, and connections.

“All a seed is,” said Haris Mesic, Meristem gardner, “is a tiny, concentrated collection of thousands of years of love.” And honestly? That line kind of stuck with us. Because that’s exactly what service can be too: a small act, rooted in care, that ripples far beyond the moment.

From Alumni to Advocate

This partnership began with Ilene Silva, an SAA alumnus (Class of 1971) who’s still planting seeds of her own. She connected SAA with Twyla Teitzel, Meristem’s Events and Outreach Coordinator, and when a day off popped up on the school calendar, the idea bloomed into action.

“It felt like the right thing at the right time,” said Michelle Piner. “We’re always looking for ways to connect our students with real, meaningful service. And this was a perfect fit.”

More Than Just a Garden

What happened that day wasn’t just about tidying up garden beds. It was about students learning that their time, their presence—even their muscles—matter. It is about stepping into someone else’s world and realizing it’s full of beauty and purpose.

It is about community, and about growing something good together.