Fun in the Sun: Bringing Agriculture to Life for Summer Learners
Farm to Food Lab: Petty Ranch, Saticoy, CA
This July, SEEAG was proud to partner with Fun in the Sun (FITS)—a nationally recognized summer learning program organized by United Way of Santa Barbara County. FITS helps prevent summer learning loss by providing students in grades 2–5 with hands-on, enriching experiences in STEAM, environmental education, and local field trips, ensuring that learning keeps growing even when school is out.
As part of SEEAG’s Farm Lab Summer Program, students from Alisos Elementary and Franklin Elementary visited Petty Ranch in Ventura County, while students from Solvang Elementary explored Allan Hancock College’s vineyard in Santa Barbara County. These scenic, working farm sites opened their gates to students in TK through 5th grade, giving them a few hours of engaging, farm-based education.
At each location, students rotated through three interactive learning stations focused on soil, water, and plant and insect science:
In the soil station, students got hands-on with different soil types, learning how texture and composition influence plant growth.
At the water station, they explored irrigation systems and the water cycle, gaining a better understanding of the importance of water management in agriculture.
In the plant and insect station, students planted seedlings and discovered how pollinators and beneficial insects help our food systems thrive.
No summer field trip is complete without a sweet reward—students cooled off with refreshing watermelon slices as they took in the sights, smells, and sounds of the farm.
Programs like Fun in the Sun remind us that learning happens everywhere, especially when curiosity meets community. We're honored to support students and families through partnerships like this one, and we’re inspired by what’s possible when local organizations come together to create meaningful, educational experiences outside the classroom.
