Center for Land-Based Learning

Taming the Wild: Innovative Approaches to Weed Control Weeds don’t just invade fields; they challenge the way we farm, garden, and steward our land. But what if you could get ahead of them—without letting them take over? Join us and our proud sponsor, Nugget Market, Inc., for CLBL’s first Speaker Series of the season. Hear from UCANR Weed Science Farm Advisor, Emeritus John Roncoroni, as he shares cutting-edge strategies for weed control that every land steward should know. Wednesday, March 19 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. At our HQ - Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland, CA This isn’t just a talk—it’s an opportunity to gain expert insights, exchange ideas, and build connections with fellow agricultural professionals. And because we believe great discussions deserve great food, we’ll be serving up woodfired pizza, cold beer, and an evening of learning and community. Don’t miss out on this free event—RSVP today! Tickets: https://lnkd.in/gm38qxBZ

Will you be at Ag Day at the Capitol this year? We will! Stop by our booth and say hello and learn about the ways we are impacting the future of Ag at Work: Cultivating Careers and Communities!

CLBL’s The Maples Farm and Riverfront Farm have been designated as?Slow Food Farms—just four in the U.S. so far. This recognition highlights our commitment to environmentally friendly agriculture, biodiversity, and strong community connections. Nominated by Chef Juan Barajas of Woodland’s Savory Cafe and President of Slow Food Yolo, our farms are part of a global initiative to accelerate sustainable farming growth and teach future generations. Slow Food will give farmers a voice and connect them with the millions of activists, cooks, consumers, food artisans, fishers and other farmers who have followed the movement for years. Visit the link to learn more! https://lnkd.in/gsmK6gAV

Our beloved California Farm Academy Director, Sridharan (Sri) Sethuratnam, Ph.D. moved on from CLBL last week. Sri was a part of our team for almost nine years and made a huge impact on our organization, our new headquarters, and many beginning farmers’ lives and businesses. Sri has helped our alumni find land and funding and make their farming dreams a reality, and his commitment led to a long partnership with the Allensworth Progressive Association and the Ujamaa Farmer Collective. Two physical legacies Sri leaves behind are our young olive orchard and the welding workshop at The Maples Farm. Sri also worked tirelessly to promote food equity in our region and worked on our Mobile Farmers Market truck every chance he got (even during Covid masking season!). Sri has moved to Santa Cruz where he is joining the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology. We are so grateful for his many contributions and will miss him greatly!

A huge thank you to Sakata Seed America, Inc. for being such generous and welcoming neighbors! Our apprentices recently visited Sakata's Woodland headquarters as part of their plant science field day, where they learned about seed production and plant breeding—including the spicy reality of breeding hot peppers through taste testing. We are grateful to Sakata for investing in the next generation of farm leaders. Hands-on experiences like these deepen our apprentices’ understanding of plant science and the work behind the seeds that sustain our farms. Thank you for your financial gift, as well, Sakata, we appreciate your partnership and support!

Our Urban Ag Internship Program is hosting our 2nd Annual Student Networking Event on March 19th at Grant Union High School in Sacramento. This is an opportunity for high school students and alumni to shape their futures and connect with career opportunities in ag and environmental sciences. We invite you to participate by sponsoring the event, providing raffle prizes or joining the industry job fair. It will be an afternoon filled with interactive activities for both students and industry partners. Proactively enrich your field as a result of early positive exposure to Generation Z and make your organization known in the Sacramento Region. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Agave, the iconic plant responsible for tequila and mezcal, is drought tolerant and fire resistant. Could it be the crop of the future for a thirsty California? We are excited to team up with area experts Craig Reynolds and Raul "Reppo" Chavez on a new course called, The Spirit of California Agave, where we'll explore the possibilities of domestically-grown agave.?Craig is the founding Director of the California Agave Council, and Reppo is widely recognized as the most successful and knowledgeable grower in the state. Learn about?market trends, local research, and distilling techniques in a webinar on April 17, followed by three hands-on field days that will give us the opportunity to practice planting, cultivation and harvest.?Details, registration and scholarship info here: https://lnkd.in/gVYPci8Z

This is always a fun and informative day!

Congrats to our SLEWS (Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship) Program Manager Allie Dumas, who has been accepted into the 40th Class for Leadership Sacramento.? Leadership Sacramento is a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation that develops community-minded business and civic leaders of tomorrow. This year-long interactive program provides a behind-the-scenes view of the issues that impact the region’s economy. Allie says, "As a class we are tasked with selecting?a community service project that benefits a local nonprofit that leaves a lasting mark on our region and the community. I am excited to be a part of this wonderful program and grow as a leader in our community!"

Due to the ongoing federal freeze, some of the funding that supports our critical work has been paused completely, and we are unable to access the funds.?This freeze places much of our work at risk, and all six of our federal grants are in danger of being voided in the future. Our SLEWS Academy Program is funded by USDA, so we aren't sure if its potential will be realized. This innovative program is training other organizations across the state to implement SLEWS (Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship) projects. Six organizations went through the Academy last year, and three more just started. High school students like those pictured here are getting in touch with the natural world and learning to be good stewards of the land. These 33 students from Los Banos High School recently toured the Grasslands Environmental Education Center in Merced County. They explored the valley's landscape, its weather, and how soil formation from the archaic ocean floor has led to today's native habitats. Then they got to put on waders to learn about wetland ecosystems. Without SLEWS Academy, this learning opportunity may not exist. You can help! ??Make a monthly contribution?– even a small gift makes a big impact ? Give through your Donor Advised Fund ? Spread the word about the Center for Land-Based Learning East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District, Resource Conservation District of Tehama County, Ventura County Resource Conservation District, Sloughhouse Resource Conservation District, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, COLUSA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, Yuba County Resource Conservation District, Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust, and Grasslands Environmental Education Center are all SLEWS Academy affiliates and engaging high school students in real restoration projects across California.