Center for Land-Based Learning

Today, we’re celebrating Veterans in Apprenticeship by highlighting Jesus Valdez, a U.S. veteran and apprentice in our California Farm Academy Apprenticeship Program! Jesus works at Johan Dairy in Fresno, CA, where he applies the structure and dedication he developed in the military to his role in agriculture. Jesus' role focuses on the agronomy side of the operation and he is also taking on more responsibilities with the farm’s irrigation systems. Our program is VA-approved, allowing eligible veterans to use their education assistance benefits while completing coursework. Veterans may also access their Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits, when applicable. We’re proud to support veterans as they transition into meaningful careers in agriculture. If you’re a veteran ready to explore a career in agriculture, contact us today! #NAW2024 #DecadeOfNAW, and #ApprenticeshipUSA #VeteransInApprenticeship #FarmManager #CaliforniaFarmAcademy #VeteransInAg

Today, we’re celebrating Women in Apprenticeship by spotlighting Becca Stankovich, an apprentice in our California Farm Academy Apprenticeship Program! Becca works at Fiery Ginger Farm in West Sacramento, a 2-acre vegetable production farm dedicated to transforming food access for students. The farm distributes fresh, local produce to nearby school districts and engages in farm-to-school education programs. Becca has found fulfillment working on a farm that prioritizes community and values education, especially in her time spent working with students. This February, Becca will graduate as a journeyworker in beginning farm management, ready to step into a new leadership role on her farm. Listen as Becca shares her journey and how the program has prepared her for a future in farm management. #NAW2024, #DecadeOfNAW, and #ApprenticeshipUSA ?#WomenInApprenticeship #FarmManager #CaliforniaFarmAcademy

An incredible start to our SLEWS event today. Day one is done and we had so much fun. The Center for Land Based Learning is an incredible group of people and the students are learning so much from their dedicated and knowledgable mentors. Can’t wait for Day 2 and watching the students learn, work, eat, and play while helping restore our local watershed, sequester carbon, and improve our soil while create amazing habitat. Go Blue, Go Davis FFA!

Our Urban Ag Interns were honored by Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Sacramento's City Council at yesterday's City Council Meeting. The mayor spoke about the all the opportunities and growth our interns have experienced every year since the birth of the Thousand Strong Program and CLBL's involvement in it. We are so proud of all of our interns! Ashley (holding the framed Resolution), is a 2nd year intern at Luther Burbank High School. She addressed the Council and shared that the skills the interns have learned can be used in their future careers as well as in their everyday lives. She added, "I am grateful to have found this program and become a part of it." We are so grateful to the City of Sacramento and Mayor Steinberg for investing in our youth's potential. As CLBL Youth Programs alumni and Councilmember Mai Vang (pictured in pic 1) can attest, the investment pays off! YOU can invest in our youth too! Make a year-end gift and help us cultivate and inspire young leaders up and down the state. Give at https://lnkd.in/gijZENG5. #youthleaders #thousandstrong

This week, we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the impact of apprenticeships nationwide, and especially those who are a part of our Beginning Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program. As the first registered agricultural apprenticeship in California, we’re proud to bridge the gap to skilled work in farming. Our program empowers apprentices to grow their careers while helping employers cultivate and retain a dedicated workforce. Did you know 90% of apprentices secure long-term employment after completing a registered apprenticeship program? This proven training model blends paid, hands-on experience with coursework, equipping participants with valuable skills and launching them into meaningful careers. Follow us throughout National Apprenticeship Week as we showcase the journeys and accomplishments of our apprentices and alumni. #NAW2024, #DecadeOfNAW, and #ApprenticeshipUSA Coastal Roots Farm Coyote Family Farm

November 11 is Veterans Day, a time to honor and show gratitude for the incredible sacrifices our service members make. We humbly do our best to plant seeds of support for veterans who want to get into agriculture to continue their service to their communities in a new way. We're proud and grateful that we were featured in the latest?Homeland - San Diego Veterans Magazine for our commitment to serving farmer veterans. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gSergHpV

Deadline has been extended! If you know someone who should participate in this innovative program and build their skills with a cohort of their peers, enroll them before it's too late!

So proud that our own Apprenticeship Program Director Marisa Alcorta was a part of the discussion with Secretary Karen Ross & Assemblymember Lori Wilson!

We were saddened by the loss of our dear friend Dan Best who passed away last month (pictured here with our CEO Mary Kimball in 2021, and at our groundbreaking with an antique Best Tractor and breaking ground - far left). Without his generous support, our HQ would not be located at his historic family ranch today. Dan grew up visiting the Best Ranch when he spent time at his grandmother Betty's. He learned how to milk a cow here, and he remembered the blacksmith shop and barns in use. He was excited that we were going to bring those old buildings and the ranch back to life as a place to educate new farmers. Part of the legacy he leaves for us and the community is the Best Classroom, which we use every day as a place to gather, connect and learn. Dan loved antique tractors and farm machinery, including his grandfather's traction tractors. His C.L. Best Tractor company eventually merged with the Holt Company and became Caterpillar Tractor Co. Another of Dan's loves was growing pumpkins, and in recent years he grew acres of pumpkins just to give them away to community organizations every October. It's hard to see a beautiful Yolo-grown pumpkin without fondly remembering Dan!

We're proud to see our brand new AgHiRE Program featured on the map! AgHiRE will upskill Spanish-speaking agricultural employees and prepare them to take on roles with more responsibility. Workers and employers both win! It's not too late to enroll your employees. Visit https://lnkd.in/gPDCGQ7A and enroll by November 6th.