SEEAG (Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture)

Sierra Grant: $5,000 in the 2nd quarter of 2019

What is the organization’s mission?

SEEAG works to educate students and the greater community about the farm origins of our food and agriculture’s contribution to our nutritional well-being.

All the non-profits we collaborate with have a vision for their community—what’s your vision?

SEEAG hopes to inspire our local communities to have a deep appreciation for agriculture and the hands and lands that feed us to ensure the future viability of agriculture in rural and urban communities.

Describe your organization and/or the work you do in three words.

We seek to provide “Quality Agricultural Education” in order to “Educate, Inspire and Empower” the next generation of agricultural ambassadors. (We couldn’t decide on just one set of three!)

What specific work have you been using donations to accomplish recently?

SEEAG has been using individual donations to provide free bus transportation to thousands of local students, allowing them to experience our Farm Lab field trip out at Petty Ranch. For many students, this is their first opportunity to see and experience a working farm and learn about all the scientific components that are involved in growing our food. A standard school bus for 60 students costs an average of $250 and can often be an economic barrier for schools. By providing free buses, over 3,000 students each year are able to experience Farm Lab, with 55% of students coming from Title I, or economically disadvantaged, schools.

Do you have an individual success story to share from your organization’s efforts?

In 2019, SEEAG launched the Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative and Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom Van to educate 10,000 students about the nutritional benefit of the county’s top crops. This program features an interactive presentation that inspires students to be their own healthy heroes with a master chef junior competition and top crop games that incorporate physical activity. Students also receive healthy hero kits that each contain a pound of local fresh produce and recipe cards to take home and empower their families to consume more healthy crops.

Educating the public about causes is an important part of nonprofit work. Is there something you’d like everyone to know about the people you help or the efforts of your team?

SEEAG does not just offer programs to local students; we also educate people of all ages, from all across the country. In addition to the 10,000 students SEEAG reaches each year with its three youth education programs, SEEAG also organizes Farm Day, a family-friendly, county-wide educational event featuring free tours and agricultural activities at over 20 different farms, ranches, and ag support organizations. In its 8th year in Ventura County (November 7th, 2020) and 2nd year in Santa Barbara County (September 19th, 2020), Farm Day is a huge effort to educate the greater community about the agriculture in their own backyard and sees over 5,000 people with some visiting from across the country.

Anything else you want to share?

Since its inception in 2008, SEEAG has reached over 45,000 students and community members with our education programs that are 100% free of cost. Given our small yet mighty team, this is a number we are very proud of.

If people want to volunteer with your organization, what should they expect and where can they contact you?

With Farm Day being our largest event, we have a need for volunteers each year to help us on the day of the event at each participating location. Volunteers aid us directly in getting the word out about SEEAG and the work that we do. If you are interested in volunteering with us, email us directly at info@seeag.org. We’d love to have you!

To find out more about SEEAG, please visit their website and social media:

Websites: seeag.org  |  venturacountyfarmday.com  |  santabarbaracountyfarmday.com

Facebook: facebook.com/SEEAG.org  |  facebook.com/VenturaCountyFarmDay  |  facebook.com/SantaBarbaraCountyFarmDay

Instagram: @seeag_org  |  @VenturaCountyFarmDay

General Inquiry: (805) 901-0213  |  info@seeag.org