FARMS Leadership Program

The FARMS Leadership program brings high school students out of the classroom and onto farms, ranches, universities, agricultural businesses and processing facilities, and other agricutlure-focused sites. Students learn about sustainable agriculture, leadership skills, college studies and careers related to sustainability through hands-on work and mentoring from professionals in the field.

The Center for Land-Based Learning operates the FARMS Leadership program in seven regions of California:

• Northstate (Yuba, Sutter, and Colusa counties)
• Sonoma
• Sacramento Valley (Yolo and Sacramento counties)
• San Joaquin (San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties)
• Fresno
• Los Angeles
• Orange County.

In each region, approx. 30 high school students from several schools come together to participate in a year-long series of 5-8 field days. These field days involve the youth in hands-on activities on topics in sustainability and the local food system. In addition to field days, students complete Community Action Projects that make a positive impact on their community and give the FARMS students practice in outreach, project planning, and grant writing.