FARM SMART: University of California, Desert Research and Extension Center

FARM SMART is the outreach component of University of California Desert Research and Extension Center in Holtville, CA.  It has been widely recognized in the community for its K-12 programs as well as the Winter Visitor adult program.  Over 135,000 people have been reached through on-center visits and programs as well as off-site school visits since the program began in 2001.  We are passionate about educating youth and their parents through our K-12 programs.  Every year thousands of Imperial Valley youth come to the Center to learn about agriculture, water and irrigation, natural resources, and scientific research.  We send them home with produce they pick themselves, activities to do at home or in the class, and we hope we send them home with seeds of knowledge and understanding for the future. 

In addition to this, FARM SMART hosts thousands of “snowbirds” in January and February through our Winter Visitor Program.  We educate visitors about Valley agriculture and water issues, and send them home with a sandbag full of fresh produce from the Center.  They get to experience a day on the farm and learn more about our Valley’s amazing agricultural bounty.