Project Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)
Seeding Success: Youth Engagement & Training for a Sustainable Specialty Crop Future
At LabToFarm, we’re sowing the seeds for California’s agricultural future. The Seeding Success project is a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower young people and underrepresented communities with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in specialty crop farming. Supported by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and led by experts at the University of California, Riverside, this project is set to transform education into hands-on, impactful action.
Cultivating a New Generation of Ag Experts
Addressing Today’s Challenges:
California’s specialty crop industry faces mounting challenges—from labor shortages and water scarcity to the ever-evolving demands of climate-smart agriculture. Seeding Success answers this call by creating a dynamic training ecosystem that bridges cutting-edge research with real-world practice.
Innovative Curriculum:
-
Comprehensive Modules: Over a 9-month course, students dive into nine teaching modules covering everything from sustainable soil management and water-efficient irrigation to advanced pest management and agricultural legislation.
-
Hands-On Learning: Participants gain practical experience through on-campus demonstrations, educational displays, and immersive field trips—including a transformative 5-day excursion that connects classroom insights to thriving agricultural operations.
Pathways to Opportunity:
By integrating theory with experiential learning, Seeding Success not only prepares students for careers in specialty crop farming but also opens doors to higher education and entrepreneurial opportunities. The project is especially tailored to engage youth, special needs students, and underserved groups, ensuring that the benefits of sustainable farming practices reach every corner of our community.
“ This project bridges academic innovation with real-world application, ensuring that our future farmers are equipped to overcome today’s challenges with sustainable, hands-on solutions.”
– Deborah pagliaccia, Leading Project Manager and Scientist at UCR
A Collaborative Effort
Bridging Academia and Community:
Seeding Success is a collaborative venture among UC Riverside, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, John W. North High School, the Growing Hope Project, and San Andreas High School. Together, these partners are reimagining agricultural education by:
-
Developing and Delivering a Modern Curriculum: Local educators and UCR experts work side-by-side to design course materials that reflect today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
-
Fostering Community Engagement: With on-site displays, interactive field tours, and hands-on internships, the project connects students with real-world practices and local industry leaders.
Impact:
Over the course of the project and beyond, Seeding Success is poised to directly impact thousands of individuals—from high school students to aspiring young farmers—equipping them with the skills to lead California’s specialty crop industry into a more sustainable future.
Discover the Seeding Success Curriculum: Sustainable Agri-Food Systems & Circular Economy
Where students learn science by solving real-world food and sustainability challenges.
The Seeding Success Curriculum invites educators into a fresh, innovative approach to teaching agriculture, environmental science, and sustainability. Developed by UC Riverside, this program blends rigorous science with hands-on exploration, systems thinking, and meaningful career connections, empowering students to become problem-solvers and future leaders in a rapidly changing world.
Interested in exploring the Seeding Success High School Curriculum? Contact Deborahp@ucr.edu or arunabhm@ucr.edu to get the password to access the page.
What You’ll Find in the Curriculum Hub
Our curriculum landing page brings together everything teachers need to deliver engaging, inquiry-driven instruction:
🌱 Overview of the Curriculum & Pilot Program
Learn how Seeding Success transforms traditional science teaching by connecting food systems, climate resilience, and circular economy principles with classroom learning. Educators can also explore opportunities to join the pilot, collaborate with UCR, or bring community partners into their classrooms.
📘 Teaching Resources at Your Fingertips
Access quick-reference guides, instructor notes, syllabi, Hands-On Activity summaries, Think–Pair–Share discussion tools, and planning materials, all designed to help teachers confidently lead lessons, labs, and community-focused projects.
🔍 Explore Eight Dynamic Learning Modules
Each module dives into a different part of the agri-food system, from soil and water to waste reduction, urban farming, plant health, and emerging ag-tech. Module subpages highlight:
-
Lesson themes and learning goals
-
Guided discussions and collaboration activities
-
Hands-on labs and field-based investigations
-
Connections to real careers in agriculture, sustainability, and technology
These modules are flexible and classroom-ready, whether you teach a semester course, a year-long program, or are integrating individual lessons into an existing pathway.
Why Educators Love Seeding Success
-
Inquiry-driven & hands-on: Students build micro-farms, analyze soil, map water systems, test waste solutions, and design circular food models.
-
Aligned with educator needs: Built with UC A–G, CTE, NGSS, and AP expectations in mind.
-
Real-world relevance: Every lesson connects classroom learning to sustainability challenges and workforce pathways.
-
Community-centered: Opportunities for guest speakers, field visits, and school-community partnerships enrich the learning experience.
For Schools & Districts
Seeding Success is designed to support multiple instructional goals—college and career readiness, STEM integration, agriculture pathways, and sustainability initiatives. Districts can explore partnership options, pilot involvement, and cross-school collaboration.
Join Us
Whether you’re an educator looking for ready-to-teach, high-impact lessons—or a district leader seeking innovative, standards-aligned curriculum—Seeding Success offers a powerful, flexible model for preparing students to understand, critique, and reimagine our food systems.
Explore the curriculum and see how Seeding Success can grow in your classroom.
Lecture
/Instruction
Specially Curated Presentations
Lecture Guided Notes
Presentation Provided Speaker Notes
Discussion
/Reflection
Think-Pair-Share (TPS) Collaborative Learning
Multiple Small Group Discussions
Reflection and Discussion Prompts
Laboratory
/Hands-On-Activity (HOA)
Hands-On Lab Experiments
Agricultural Field Trips
Problem-Solving Design Projects
Data Collection & Analysis Activities
Career Connections
Guest/Video Speakers
Info & Business Cards
Career Focused Slides
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum integrates 4 core elements:
Join Us in Growing the Future
At its core, Seeding Success is about more than just farming—it’s about cultivating resilience, fostering innovation, and empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders. Are you a student, educator, or community member passionate about sustainable agriculture? Join us in sowing the seeds for a greener, more resilient future. For more information or to participate, contact:
-
Deborah Pagliaccia: deborahp@ucr.edu
-
Arunabha Mitra: arunabhm@ucr.edu
Learn more about upcoming workshops, field trips, and ways to get involved by visiting our LabToFarm website and following us on social media.
