California Ag Network

Tag: agricultural education

  • Innovative Ag Education Program Reaches Over 1 Million California Students

    Educating today’s students about the importance of California agriculture is critically important to protecting the future of farming and ranching in the Golden State. For nearly 40 years, the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom has been a leader in that effort and is continuing to innovate to meet the needs of California classrooms.

    “We’ve been around since 1986, and our whole mission is to support teachers and students in incorporating agriculture into their classroom because agriculture affects our daily lives. It’s the food we eat; it’s the clothes we wear – it affects everything that we do,” said Amanda Fletcher, the Foundation’s executive director.

    During 2024, Fletcher said the Foundation’s programs reached over 1 million pre-K to high school students by engaging more than 34,000 teachers across California. Among the Foundation’s most-used resources was the 22ndannual issue of What’s Growin’ On, a 16-page interactive student newspaper funded in part by Farm Credit. More than 100,000 copies were distributed.

    Kevin Ralph, California President for AgWest Farm Credit, said California’s Farm Credit organizations have supported the Foundation’s work for many years.

    “Farm Credit has been proud to support What’s Growin’ On for more than 15 years – and in fact increased our support this year – because it’s proven to be an innovative and effective way of educating third through eighth graders about all the aspects of California agriculture,” Ralph said.

    Jacob DeBoer, Regional Marketing Manager with American AgCredit, agreed that the Foundation continues to do great work.

    “What makes the Foundation’s efforts so successful is that it comes up with ways to really reach students,” DeBoer said. “This year, the theme is ‘Imagine Your Future in Agriculture,’ which is especially important given the need to attract students to consider careers in ag-related fields. Besides information about farming, the newspaper and other programs discuss careers in fields including tech, marketing, soil science and ag mechanics. There’s nothing like drones to capture a young student’s imagination.”

    All seven Farm Credit organizations serving California – AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Golden State Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit – are financially supporting the Foundation’s work. They are all part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    Fletcher said the Foundation got its start in 1981 as a program launched by the California Farm Bureau Federation. It was spun off five years later as an affiliated 501c3 nonprofit. Today, seven – soon to be eight – employees develop age-appropriate curricula using a wide range of distribution methods.

    For example, a popular part of the program is the virtual California Farm Day. This year, 31,000 students watched one of two age-appropriate, hour-long programs including video and live Q&A sessions with ag experts. One segment showed a pest advisor walking through a broccoli field examining plants for insects. He explained that some insects were beneficial, and others weren’t and talked about the steps he took to become a pest advisor.

    “We had over 800 questions asked of the live hosts. A lot of the kids who were on that broadcast were from urban and more disadvantaged schools who don’t always have the ability to go on field trips, so this offered a little window into agriculture and how it affects their lives,” she said.

    “We probably work with 60% urban classes and 40% from the agricultural areas. Our target demographic is those urban and disadvantaged schools because we want to get into schools in L.A. and the Bay Area to make sure they’re getting the same education about agriculture that students in counties that have that rich agriculture history have access to.”

    This year, a grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture allowed the Foundation to develop an interactive website called KnowinWhatsGrowin.com. Fletcher said it matches the state’s fourth-grade curriculum and focuses on specialty crops grown in different parts of the state.

    Santa Clara County students can learn about mushrooms, for example – how they’re grown and harvested, nutritional information, products that use mushrooms and even recipes.

    Because the Foundation strives “to keep growing, because if you stay stagnant that doesn’t work when the goal is to get the information out to the populace,” the staff is currently beginning a four-year project to develop a monthly curriculum for high school students that outlines ag-related careers. The lesson plans will tie into math, science and ag mechanics.

    “Then we are going to be working on developing an internship program that will go along with that. It’ll be exciting in the next couple of years once that gets off the ground,” she said.

    “We want to create materials that are easy and quick for teachers to implement so they have good programming for their students and to make sure that the next generation is informed about where their food and fiber comes from.”

    About Farm Credit:

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, CoBank, Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Golden State Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom:

    California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing agricultural awareness and understanding among California’s educators and students. AITC develops accurate, teacher-tested educational materials, provides training and programs for educators, and collaborates with organizations to highlight the importance of agriculture in daily life. Through initiatives such as comprehensive lesson plans, the What’s Growin’ On? student newspaper, the Imagine this… writing contest, Virtual Farm Day, the annual teacher conference, and many more programs, AITC fosters agricultural literacy and supports the future of agriculture – impacting over 1 million students annually. For more information, visit www.learnaboutag.org.

  • World Ag Expo® Opens Applications for 2026 Top-10 Products and Seminar Series

    World Ag Expo offers a look into the latest in innovation and education through the return of the Top-10 New Products competition and seminar sessions. Exhibitors and industry experts can now apply to put their mark on the 2026 show.

    The Top-10 New Products Competition at World Ag Expo provides a glimpse into cutting-edge technology and innovation. Open to exhibitors, the innovation contest showcases the latest in a competitive field of new products ranging from groundbreaking technology to simple solutions. Previous award winners have pointed to the Top-10 New Products Contest as a catalyst for success.

    “Since winning the Top Ten New Product Award in 2025, we’ve leveraged that recognition to successfully promote our latest innovation—the Synergy Blower,” shared Seth Richmond, Director of Product at Flory Industries. “Our marketing team has capitalized on the momentum, driving strong industry interest and rapid adoption, both domestically and internationally. The Synergy Blower is now officially launched and in full production, with many new units already at work in this year’s almond harvest.”

    The Top-10 New Products Competition information and application can be found at bit.ly/WAE26TOP-10. Applicants must be exhibitors at the 2026 World Ag Expo and products released anywhere in the world between February 9, 2025 and February 10, 2026 are eligible. The application deadline is October 31, 2025 and winners will be announced in December.

    World Ag Expo also provides a platform for learning through educational seminars. Attendees can enjoy seminars, which are included with general show admission, featuring some of the most knowledgeable professionals in their respective sectors. Each year, tracks include Dairy & Livestock, Technology, Irrigation & Water, Demonstrations, and more.

    Educational seminars are held in the Seminar Center on the southeast side of the grounds throughout all three days of the show. Experts, including exhibitors, universities, government agencies, and more, provide valuable insights, aiming to expand producer knowledge and practices.

    More seminar information and the application is available at bit.ly/WAE26Seminar. The final seminar schedule and speaker information will be available online and in the official show app. The application deadline is October 31, 2025 and speakers will be notified in December.

    World Ag Expo is the largest annual outdoor ag tradeshow in the world. In 2025, the show saw over 100,000 attendees from 49 states and 80 countries. More than 1,200 exhibitors on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space make World Ag Expo a premium platform for networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States.

    Limited exhibit spaces are still available. To learn more about World Ag Expo® and request space, please visit https://www.worldagexpo.com/exhibitors/.

    International attendee ticket packages are on sale now. General admission and ag tour tickets go on sale October 1st. Attendees can purchase tickets and plan their visit at www.WorldAgExpo.com.

    For more information, visit www.WorldAgExpo.com.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 10-12, 2026 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 60 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show space. Learn more at www.worldagexpo.com.

  • AgSafe Expands Training Sessions, Works to Meet Emerging Needs

    For more than 30 years, AgSafe has been a trusted source for safety training and compliance support for the agricultural community.

    The Modesto-based nonprofit has cemented its place in ag training in California and increasingly in other parts of the country as well. Natalie Gupton, the group’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said in just one year, AgSafe increased its training sessions by more than 35%, growing from 204 sessions reaching 3,667 people in 2022–23 to 278 sessions reaching 5,664 people in 2023–24.

    While AgSafe continues to provide essential training in worker safety, human resources and pesticide handling, the organization is also expanding its offerings to meet emerging needs in the ag industry, said President and Chief Executive Officer Theresa Kiehn.

    “We’ve spent the past five years really focusing on our supervisors because they are the ones that get so much done for our industry,” Kiehn said. “We are sponsoring classes on training the trainers, trying to help supervisors with everything from equipment safety – so tractor, forklift, ATV/UTV accident prevention – to HR topics like wage and hour and sexual harassment prevention.

    “Many of us in our roles get regular professional development, so we’re working to make sure that our ag sector is getting that as well, especially those in supervisors’ roles. We’re making sure that we’re professionalizing our industry.”

    Kiehn, who has been with AgSafe since 2009 and CEO since 2020, noted that the group has developed the Supervisors Development Academy, a five-section 20-hour program that talks about what it means to be a supervisor, how to lead teams, how to have difficult conversations and to work on people skills.

    Keith Hesterberg, President and CEO of Fresno Madera Farm Credit, emphasized the critical importance of workforce education in promoting safe practices across agriculture.

    “Safety remains a top priority in the ag industry, and AgSafe has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past 34 years by training more than 150,000 people,” said Hesterberg. “Today’s agricultural workforce faces a broader range of challenges, making AgSafe’s expanded, holistic approach more vital than ever. These comprehensive programs are essential to meeting the evolving needs of our industry well into the future.”

    Kevin Ralph, AgWest Farm Credit’s California President, said AgSafe’s signature safety conference, often held in Monterey, is also a great benefit.

    “More than 500 people attend the conference, which features more than 50 classes focusing on health, safety, human resources and leadership development, in English and Spanish,” Ralph said. “AgSafe brings in Spanish-speaking experts from key regulatory agencies to discuss the top citations and how to prevent them, and to make sure everyone is up to date. Farm Credit is proud to have sponsored the conference for many years and to have been a longstanding AgSafe associate member.”

    Farm Credit associations supporting AgSafe are AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, and Fresno Madera Farm Credit. These organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    Kiehn said Farm Credit has been a great partner.

    “We never want cost to be a barrier for folks to participate, and Farm Credit’s support has allowed us to reduce costs to ensure that we maximize participation. Farm Credit also has been one of the foundational partners that allows us to grow and maintain our helpline service. And finally, its information has been valuable to our network and whenever we’re able to share it we try to do so,” she said.

    AgSafe was formed in 1990 as increasing state and federal regulations made an injury and illness prevention program necessary. At first a coalition, it earned its 501(c)3 status in 1991 and began transitioning to a professional membership-based organization in 1994.

    But the organization isn’t content to rest on its laurels. It is developing two new program areas – stress management and making sure workers are safe around new and emerging technologies that are reshaping agriculture.

    “We want to bring in different techniques to help people manage their stress. Farming is a very, very tough industry, whether you’re an owner or a worker. Giving people resources and ways they can manage that in the right way helps them personally and helps the employer as well because a happy, healthy worker can translate into a more productive company,” Gupton said.

    She added that the rapid growth of robotics and autonomous equipment requires the industry to carefully evaluate potential safety issues and develop training to address them.

    “We’re seeing a rapid rise in robotics and autonomous equipment, and it’s essential to take a step back and evaluate their safety implications,” Gupton said. “Our goal is to develop proactive training to ensure these technologies can be adopted safely and effectively.”

    About Farm Credit:

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, and Fresno Madera Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About AgSafe Food & Farms:

    AgSafe, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, is the educational leader that provides practical safety and education to the agricultural community. Since 1991 AgSafe has trained over 100,000 employers, supervisors and farm workers in the most critical issues impacting worker safety, human resources and pesticide safety. AgSafe employs a “boots on the ground” approach to these topics, teaching both the “why” and “how” to protect workers in the field, as well as packing, processing and food manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit https://agsafe.org.

  • CAWG Foundation Awards $41,000 in Scholarships to These Students

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of $41,000 in college scholarships to eleven exceptional students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California wine grape grower.

    “This scholarship program reflects our deep appreciation for the families who are vital to the success of California’s winegrape industry,” said Craig Ledbetter of Vino Farms, Chair of the CAWG Foundation Board of Directors. “Each year, we are inspired by the talent, resilience, and dedication of the students who apply. Their commitment to education and community service is truly remarkable.”

    The CAWG Foundation Board carefully selects scholarship recipients who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and community involvement. Applicants are evaluated based on their financial need, scholastic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities, and a compelling personal essay that highlights their individual journey and future goals.

    Since its inception in 1998, the CAWG Foundation has awarded $680,500 in scholarships to help students achieve their higher education goals. This support is made possible by the generous contributions of CAWG members and the broader California wine community.

    This year, eight four-year scholarships were awarded to students attending either a University of California or California State University campus, three two-year scholarships were awarded to students attending a California community college, and one $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a student through the Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship. Created by the Miller family, the Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship supports Central Coast students who plan to pursue a career in the winegrape industry and are studying viticulture or enology at either Allan Hancock College or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

    Four-Year University Scholarship Recipients

    Karen Abarca Hernandez, Stockton, Health Careers Academy Charter School

    Daisy Avina Hernandez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School

    Jonalyn Cadaoas, Delano, Cesar E. Chavez High School

    Mariano Jaime Duran, Geyserville, Geyserville New Tech Academy

    Bishin Mahil, Madera, Liberty High School

    Karitina Manual Rios, Santa Rosa, Roseland University Prep

    Ella Senkowski, Windsor, Windsor High School

    Two-Year Community College Scholarship Recipients

    Fabiola Covarrubias, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School

    Guadalupe Ibarra, Terra Bella, Porterville High School

    Kelsey Padilla Lara, Santa Rosa, Piner High School

    Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship Recipient

    Yasmin Santos Hernandez, Santa Maria, Santa Maria High School

    About the Recipients

    FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP

    Karen Abarca Hernandez, Stockton, Health Careers Academy Charter School / $2,000

    Karen is a dedicated and ambitious student planning to attend UC Davis to study Biology to become a Family Medicine Physician. Karen is deeply committed to her community and has actively volunteered with Spanos Elementary School, the Stockton Symphony, San Joaquin Office of Education, Stockton Scholars, YMCA Summer Camp, and more. Her passion for service is a guiding force in her life and one she plans to carry forward into her career. In addition to her community involvement, Karen is active in her high school and has shown entrepreneurial spirit by starting her own small crochet business. She has excelled academically, taking a rigorous course load that includes AP classes, and remains focused and driven toward achieving her career goals and giving back to her community.

    Daisy Avina Hernandez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School / $8,000

    Daisy is an accomplished student who will be the first in her family to attend college. She plans to attend UC Davis, where she will major in Psychology to become an OB-GYN. With a strong desire to give back, Daisy hopes to provide reproductive and maternal healthcare to underserved communities. She has maintained a 4.1 GPA while working part-time, demonstrating her commitment to both academic excellence and personal responsibility. Daisy led her school in earning a prestigious MIT School of Engineering title—one of only eight schools in the nation to receive the recognition. She also played a key role in supporting California State Senate Resolution 106, which officially designates October as Intellectual Property Awareness Month. Daisy is also an active member of her school’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, and softball teams.

    Jonalyn Cadaoas, Delano, Cesar E. Chavez High School / $8,000

    Jonalyn is a high-achieving student with a strong passion for math and science, which has inspired her to pursue a career in civil engineering. She plans to attend either San Diego State University or Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she will focus on developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions. With a long-term goal of starting an engineering firm, Jonalyn is eager to make a lasting impact in her field. Her Filipino heritage is a meaningful part of her identity, and she has embraced opportunities to celebrate and share her culture through her involvement in the United Filipino Organization, where she has taken on leadership roles, participated in cultural dances, and helped organize community events. Jonalyn is also active in the National Honor Society and Associated Student Body, and has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, maintaining a GPA above 4.0 and ranking in the top 10% of her class.

    Mariano Jaime Duran, Geyserville, Geyserville New Tech Academy / $2,000

    Mariano is a first-generation college student who plans to attend Sonoma State University to study accounting, with the goal of becoming an accountant. The son of immigrants who were unable to complete their education, Mariano is proud to be the first in his family to pursue a four-year degree. He is a strong student, ranking near the top of his class, and is known for his leadership and commitment both in and out of the classroom. Mariano is actively involved in his community and takes great pride in giving back through volunteer service. His extracurricular involvement includes ag mechanics, the Upward Bound program for first-generation and low-income students, Mecha Club, Varsity soccer, and more.

    Bishin Mahil, Madera, Liberty High School / $4,000

    Bishin is a dedicated and forward-thinking student who plans to attend Fresno State University to study Entrepreneurial Business, with the goal of creating and expanding businesses within the agricultural industry. Agriculture has always been a part of Bishin’s life, and he has seen firsthand the hard work and commitment required to maintain and grow a successful crop. He is actively involved in the California Scholarship Federation, the Liberty High Golf Club, and the Nanaksar Gurdwara, where he volunteers weekly to give back to his community. Bishin hopes to apply his business education to manage farming operations and contribute toimportant decisions around harvesting and logistics. His passion for agriculture and entrepreneurship is matched by a strong sense of service and community.

    Karitina Manual Rios, Santa Rosa, Roseland University Prep / $2,000

    Karitina is a compassionate and determined student who plans to attend Sonoma State University to study Psychology, with the goal of becoming a Child Psychologist. As a first-generation college student, she deeply values the importance of education, a value instilled in her by her family. After experiencing the loss of her father at a young age and receiving support from school counselors, Karitina was inspired to pursue a career where she could provide the same kind of help to children navigating difficult situations. That desire to give back and support others is what motivates her. In addition to excelling academically, Karitina is an active member of several school and community organizations, demonstrating both leadership and a strong commitment to service.

    Ella Senkowski, Windsor, Windsor High School / $8,000

    Ella is a driven and service-oriented student who will attend the University of California, Los Angeles, where she plans to study Business Economics with the goal of becoming a Financial Planner or Analyst. Ella balances a rigorous academic schedule with a wide range of extracurricular and work experiences. She is active in ballet, Girl Scouts, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Bring Change to Mind, Best Buddies, and more. In addition to her volunteer commitments, she holds multiple part-time jobs teaching swim lessons and dance classes and has gained professional experience through an accounting internship. Through these diverse roles, Ella has developed a strong sense of responsibility, leadership, and purpose. Her experiences have reinforced her passion for mentorship and advocacy, and she looks forward to continuing to make a meaningful impact as a leader in her community.

    TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP/ $2,000 EACH

    Fabiola Covarrubias, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School

    Fabiola is a first-generation college student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and academic achievement throughout her time at Kelseyville High School. She has been actively involved in AVID, Associated Student Body, cheerleading, and FFA. Fabiola was one of just eleven students selected to join K-CORPS, a specialized search and rescue team that partners with the local sheriff’s office—an opportunity that reflects her deep sense of service and civic responsibility. In addition to her school involvement, Fabiola works as a cashier at Lakeport Rainbow Ag, where she remains connected to the agricultural community. She plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior College to study Allied Health and pursue a career as a radiology or ultrasound technician. With a strong desire to help others, Fabiola looks forward to making a meaningful impact in the medical field and her community.

    Guadalupe Ibarra, Terra Bella, Porterville High School

    Guadalupe is a first-generation college student and the valedictorian of her graduating class at Porterville High School. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and a deep dedication to serving her community. Guadalupe is actively involved in a range of extracurricular activities, including the Red Cross Club, HOSA, and the California Scholarship Federation. She has completed over 100 hours of community service, participating in food distribution efforts, blood drives, Relay for Life, and other activities that reflect her passion for helping others. Having grown up working alongside her parents in the agricultural fields, Guadalupe has witnessed firsthand the social and economic challenges faced by her community. These experiences have shaped her goal of becoming a registered nurse or nurse practitioner. She plans to attend Porterville College to study nursing.

    Kelsey Padilla Lara, Santa Rosa, Piner High School

    Kelsey is a driven and community-minded student who will be the first in her family to attend college. She is graduating from Piner High School a year early with an above 4.0 GPA and is already enrolled in college courses, demonstrating her strong motivation and academic excellence. Kelsey plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior Collegeto study nursing, to become a registered nurse, and eventually a nurse practitioner. She has a deep desire to create positive change in her community and has volunteered with organizations such as the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the Sonoma County Children’s Museum, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), where she developed skills in disaster preparedness. Kelsey’s academic achievements and dedication to service reflect her readiness to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field.

    ROBERT MILLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP / $1,000 EACH

    Yasmin Santos Hernandez, Santa Maria, Santa Maria High School

    Yasmin is a dedicated student with a deep passion for the wine industry and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, majoring in Viticulture and Enology. Her goal is to build a career in wine production. In addition to spending summers working alongside her parents in the vineyards, Yasmin also holds a part-time job during the school year—demonstrating both a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills. She is actively involved in her school’s FFA program, where her experiences have further fueled her interest in the wine industry. A first-generation college student, Yasmin has received numerous academic honors and is committed to continuing her success in higher education.

    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation

    The CAWG Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that awards scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. For more information, visit www.cawgfoundation.org.