Center for Land-Based Learning

The Center for Land-Based Learning exists to inspire, educate, and cultivate future generations of farmers, agricultural leaders and natural resource stewards.

The Center for Land-Based Learning was founded with the intention to inspire, educate, and equip the next generation of farmers and others working in the agriculture field. With a new headquarters in Woodland, the center has been able to expand its offerings and influence. The center offers various programs, including these:

SLEWS (Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship) engages high school students in habitat restoration through a series of hands-on field days that develop science skills and foster environmental stewardship. Each SLEWS program includes three to five days out in the field, where students build their knowledge and skills. With a maximum of 30 students, these groups cultivate native plants. build irrigation systems, and conduct ecological studies. Students can even come and revisit the projects to check on their progress.

The FARMS (Farming, Agriculture, and Resource Management for Sustainability) leadership program trains and recruits high school students for college and career opportunities in agriculture and environmental sciences. FARMS is aimed at high schoolers who have a passion for agriculture. There is a second-year advanced program as well as paid internships.

FARMS operates in the Sacramento Valley (Sacramento and Yolo counties), the North State (Yuba, Sutter, and Colusa counties). Central Valley North (Madera and north Fresno counties), Monterey/Santa Cruz, and these counties: Kern, Kings, Orange, San Joaquin, Sonoma, Tehama, and Tulare.

The center also hosts annual essay contests, scholarship awards, and more.

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