As the school year kicks off, the SEEAG Education Team is excited to share some big updates about our education programs in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties! With more schools participating, fresh educational tools, and a reimagined curriculum, we’re planting the seeds for an even more engaging and impactful year of ag education!

Program Snapshot: Farm-to-Food Lab

The Farm-to-Food Lab is SEEAG’s hands-on field trip program that connects students with where their food comes from. Through interactive lessons and real-world experiences, students explore the journey from soil to table—and everything in between.

Ventura County Program
Delivers farm-based learning through direct interaction with crops, soil, insects, and irrigation techniques at local farms.
Santa Barbara County Program
Recently expanded, this program now includes a pilot at Ballard Walnut Grove, bringing agricultural science to life in a brand-new setting.

By the Numbers: Farm-to-Food Lab

Ventura County:
48 schools registered
2,839 students participating
Santa Barbara County:
20 schools registered
1,256 students participating

Big News: New Curriculum with a Fourth Learning Station!

Four Learning Stations (Up from Three!)
This expansion gives students more time to explore critical concepts in agriculture and environmental science.
Bugs & Vermicompost Station
Students dig into the world of decomposers and soil health by observing bugs and exploring how worms help recycle food scraps through vermicomposting.
Seed Dispersal & Plant Life Cycles
We’ve added enhanced content that walks students through the full life cycle of a plant—from seed to harvest—while learning how seeds travel and grow.
STEM Spotlight: Mini Irrigation Systems
One of our favorite new features: students now get to build and test mini irrigation systems! Using different types of water emitters, they simulate how farmers manage water on their farms—an engaging way to explore both engineering and sustainability.
Farm-to-Food Lab Passport : A fun take-home activity booklet for students, parents, and teachers. Access the passport here.

New Pilot Program at Ballard Walnut Grove

This October, we’re launching a pilot program at Ballard Walnut Grove in Santa Barbara County! Students will explore walnut farming up close, and we’ll be testing new activities tailored to this unique location. We're excited to see how this pilot shapes future offerings.

Program Snapshot: STEM Career Pathways in Agriculture

SEEAG is excited to kick off another school year of STEM Career Pathways in Agriculture! Our program introduces students to the diverse world of agriculture through classroom workshops, hands-on labs, and real-world experiences on local farms. By exploring careers, aligning their strengths with industry roles, and learning about degrees and certifications, students leave the program with a clearer path toward their future in agriculture.

This year, over 15 high schools and middle schools across Ventura and Santa Barbara County are participating, with over 500 students already registered—and counting!

Program Overview

Career Guidance Workshop (1 hour in-class): Students take the Holland Code personality test and connect their strengths with agricultural careers. They also hear directly from local ag professionals through video spotlights that showcase their work and academic journeys.
STEM-Based Labs (1 hour in-class): Hands-on learning includes hydroponic design, soil health testing, fungi studies, and insect identification—linking agronomy, technology, engineering, and economics to agriculture.
Field Trips (2 hours): Visits to local farms and facilities give students firsthand exposure to the industry. This year’s partners include Bonipak Produce, Brokaw Nursery, Driscoll’s, Las Cumbres Ranch, Plantel Nurseries, Reiter Affiliated Companies, Santa Barbara Blueberries, McGrath Family Farms, Rancho Laguna Farm, Gills Onions, and Babe Farms.

What’s New This Year

We’re excited to roll out new STEM labs focused on fungi and insect studies, adding to our popular soil health and hydroponics activities. We’ve also expanded our Career Spotlights library, bringing even more stories from local agricultural professionals across the Central Coast into classrooms.

Looking ahead, 2026 will bring even more opportunities—including our Fields of Innovation Research Competition and the launch of our Alumni Hub to keep students engaged beyond the classroom. Stay tuned for more updates!