Geographic areas served: California
Programs: The student and landowner education and watershed stewardship (slews) program serves over 500 high school students in five counties. The program engages high school students in real habitat restoration projects that enhances science learning, develops leadership skills and make a difference on the land. Participating high school science classes adopt slews restoration projects on farms, ranches and other natural areas throughout the central valley for the length of the school year. Over the course of multiple visits, students plant oaks and other native species, build and install bird boxes, remove invasive plants and install irrigation systems, all to increase the biological diversity and improve the health of the land. Because we partner with restoration professionals slews projects have a real and lasting impact on the land. Slews field days also offer young people the opportunity to practice science, leadership, and communication skills as they work together to improve the health of their own communities.
farms leadership - the farms (farming, agriculture, and resource management for sustainability) leadership program is growing the next generation of leaders in agriculture and natural resource conservation. Farms leadership is a transformational experience for high school students that provides out-of-classroom hands-on experiences at working farms, ag- businesses (processing, scientific reasearch, technology) and universities where students gain an understanding of california agriculture, food systems, and natural resources. With 13 programs throughout california, farms leadership serves more than 400 youth in 16 california counties. A farms leadership class is comprised of a culturally and socially diverse group of students from multiple high schools, from urban, suburban, and rural communities.
the goal of the calfornia farm academy (cfa) is to encourage and support a new generation of farmers establish sustainable, viable and locally based farm enterprises. The farm academy trains skilled farm managers and employees for the farm sector of california. The california farm academy fills a critical industry need to recruit, train, and support new and replacement farmers in an era when the average age of farmers and ranchers is nearing 60 years old. Beginning farmer training program: is a seven-month intensive, yet flexible program that provides theoretical and hands-on experience for aspiring farmers. Farm and ranch manager apprenticeship program: is intended for those interested in furthering their career in agriculture. As a registered apprenticeship program (pending). It requires completion of 3000 hours of on-the-job training and 220 hours of coursework. Farm buisiness incubator: the incubator program provides access to land, shared infrastructure, equipment, irrigation, and mentorships for beginning farmers who are ready to start their farm enterprises.
other program service accomplishments include the farm on putah creek, growing green internship, and caring for our watersheds (cfow). The farm on putah creek the farm on putah creek is more than the headquarters for clbl. With 40 acres of prime farmland on putah creek in winters, california, the farm on putah creek (fopc) is where we practice the principles underlying the farms leadership, slews, cfow, and growing green internship programs, and where the california farm academy and three of the incubator farms are housed. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in seeing real- world applications of the principles underlying its wildlife-friendly agricultural and conservation practices are welcome at fopc. The applications and principles include tailwater ponds and sediment traps, riparian buffer strips and upland restoration, insectary hedgerows - including native pollinator habitat - and native windbreaks. The programs at fopc cultivate leadership in sustainable agriculture practices, environmental stewardship, land-based education and land use policy and planning. We host tours, workshops, school field trips and service learning projects. Participants include landowners, local resource groups and nonprofits, staff and boards of rural conservation districts, government leaders, university extension staff, researchers and professors, graduate students, and interns. The work at fopc adds to the research, learning, networking and discussions surrounding agricultural landscapes - with an emphasis on sustainable practices. The farm on putah creek is privately held land protected by an agricultural conservation easement. Growing green internship the growing green internship is a workforce development program. Each piece of the program is planned to set students up for future success in college and careers. High school and college aged interns engage in job skills training, resume building, paid work experience, career exploration, community service, education in agriculture, and environmental stewardship. Interns work on a variety of projects, meet professional mentors and get involved in their community. Following the summer work program, interns receive personalized college and career mentoring. Caring for our watersheds
