By Mary Kimball, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Land-Based Learning
At the Center for Land-Based Learning, our mission is to inspire, educate, and cultivate future generations of farmers, agricultural leaders, and natural resource stewards. For over 30 years, we have been at the forefront of shaping resilient food systems, working hand-in-hand with farmers to solve challenges on their land and empowering individuals to steward our natural resources. Whether through innovative programs or field testing of new ideas, we believe that the solutions to tomorrow’s challenges in agriculture and conservation are within reach today.
Farming for Our Future Video Series
As we celebrate our legacy of training adaptive leaders and advancing sustainable agriculture, I am thrilled to share a new chapter in our efforts: the release of the Farming for Our Future: Solutions from the Field video series. This 16-part series, now available on YouTube, highlights the voices and stories of farmers, ranchers, and innovators who are advancing practical solutions to pressing challenges.
The idea for the video series originated around water issues in Yolo County, where wells were being drilled on land that was historically dry farmed. We wanted to showcase the innovative farmers and practices being implemented in Yolo County to conserve water, build biodiversity, and mitigate climate change impacts, so we created 16 short videos. This work isn’t new to CLBL, but the videos are! We are hopeful that by watching them, farmers will gain new insights or become more curious about implementing such practices on their own land and reach out to us or to our many partners to assist with next steps.
Two films in particular hold a special place in this collection: Groundwater for Agriculture and Sustaining Our Aquifers, which feature Jim Mayer, a Northern California Water Association board member, and a personal colleague of mine. We both serve on the board of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and see many opportunities for highlighting great practices here in Yolo County. These videos underscore the vital connection between agriculture and water stewardship, a shared priority for all three of our organizations.
From the FARMS Leadership Program to the Maples Farm: Growing Potential
Our journey began in 1993 when Craig McNamara launched the FARMS Leadership Program, inviting high school students to connect with the land and learn the principles of stewardship. Over the years, our impact has grown exponentially:
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In 2001, we launched the SLEWS Program, engaging students in habitat restoration projects on local farms and ranches. Today we have worked with close to 10,000 high school students and more than 300 projects throughout Northern California.
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In 2012, we celebrated the first graduates of the California Farm Academy’s Beginning Farmer Training Program and by 2024 we have had 13 graduating classes and now over 250 alumni.
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By 2020, we had established our 30-acre headquarters at The Maples Farm in Woodland, a hub for agricultural innovation and leadership development.
Through these programs, we’ve cultivated thousands of youth and adults who are ready to tackle the complexities of modern farming and conservation. Whether it’s restoring vital ecosystems, building climate resilience, or addressing barriers to equity in agriculture, our alumni are making an impact in their communities and beyond.
Stewardship at the Intersection of Land and Water
Farmers and water are inextricably linked, and the sustainability of one cannot exist without the other. At the Center for Land-Based Learning, we understand that the health of our landscapes depends on a holistic approach to stewardship. That’s why we prioritize educating our participants on regenerative practices that benefit not only the soil and crops but also the water systems that sustain them.
This shared vision aligns closely with the Northern California Water Association’s commitment to ensuring water sustainability for farms, ecosystems, and communities. Together, we champion the importance of managing natural resources wisely to benefit future generations.
We invite you to learn more about these efforts by visiting our website, and we hope you’ll be inspired by the stories of innovation and stewardship featured in the Farming for Our Future: Solutions from the Field video series.
Learn More About Mary Kimball
As part of NCWA’s Stories of the Sacramento Valley series, we featured Mary Kimball’s personal journey and deep connection to Northern California’s landscapes and waterways. Mary has dedicated her career to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders and land stewards. Read her story here!
