Virtual Lessons and Activities
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on our E-Learning programs and virtual field trips.
Resources for Virtual Learning
Tracking the History of California Agriculture: An interactive timeline of the history of California agriculture. California leads the nation in agricultural production. This timeline features many historical turning points, such as the development of the Transcontinental Railroad, that irreversibly altered the future of the agriculture industry. Students will learn about why agriculture plays such an important role in our economy and society.
Nimbus Fish hatchery Tour Request: Use this link to request a FREE virtual tour for your class or organization. This distance learning experience is an interactive video conference between a presenter and participants that lasts approximately 45 minutes. Located in eastern Sacramento County, Nimbus Fish Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release into the American River. The facility, run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, remains closed, but virtual tours are available.
California Ag in the Classroom: The California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating youth throughout California about the importance of agriculture in their daily lives through:
-
Developing materials that are accurate, teacher-tested and scientifically sound to enhance the educational experience of K-12 students.
-
Providing programs, inspiration and training opportunities for educators.
-
Partnering with like-minded organizations to create awareness about the significance of agriculture in our everyday lives.
-
Recognizing teachers and students for their achievements in agricultural literacy.
-
Supporting the pursuit of agricultural careers and continuing education.
National Ag in the Classroom: Lessons plans, games, and state ag facts.
Field Trip Resources/Recordings:
October 1: Welcome to DREC
Led by Farm Smart staff, Stacey Amparano and Stephanie Collins. Join us on the Farm Smart tractor-pulled wagon to see first-hand what is going on here at the University of California Desert Research & Extension Center. If you have never been to a farm before, this is a great place to start! We’ll get our camera up close to see livestock, forage crops, vegetables, fruit orchards and more. Learn about water, soil, farm equipment all in the context of science, research, and investigation! This introductory field trip is a valuable educational and enrichment experience for students of all ages. Attached supplementary resource material by grade level will help teachers use agriculture to connect to a variety of academic topics and standards.
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
October 9: DREC Feedlot Tour
Led by Brooke Latack, UCCE Livestock Advisor for Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties and Pedro Carvalho, UC Davis Feedlot Management Specialist. California is one of the nation's greatest beef-producing states, and beef is the #1 most valuable agricultural commodity in Imperial Valley. This tour of the DREC feedlot will teach us about how beef cattle are raised. What do cattle eat, how much water do they drink, what is a Holstein, what is a steer and so much more? Our tour guides, Brooke Latack and Pedro Carvalho, are researchers with all the latest information about the science of beef.
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
October 16: Schaffner Dairy
Visit the cows at Schaffner Dairy in Holtville, CA. Led by Dairy Manager Chase Schaffner. See how dairy cows are fed and milked, learn how Schaffner Dairy cares for their cows, and discover how milk goes from cow to container. Click Here for Resources
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
October 23: Burrowing Owls in Imperial County
Learn about Burrowing Owls in Imperial County as we observe the Burrowing Owls at DREC. Led by Jessica Humes, Environmental Project Manager with IID.
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
October 30: Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Celebrate the season with a visit to a pumpkin patch in Ramona California. Mountain Valley Ranch is owned and operated by the Battaglia Family. Explore the ranch with Markie Battaglia as she gives us a tour of the Pumpkin Patch and their assortment of pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn.
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
November 6: California Grown at the Grocery Store
What is CA Grown? How do you find California Grown fruits and vegetables at the grocery store? Follow Cher Watte, chair of CA Grown, through a local grocery store as we explore how to find California Grown produce in the grocery store and why it is important to buy California grown produce.
Classroom activities for teachers.
Eat the Season: California Seasonal Produce Calendar
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
How to Support Our California Farmers
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
November 13: Casa Grande Cotton Tour with Nancy Caywood
Today we travel to Casa Grande, AZ to learn about cotton with Nancy Caywood, the creator of the Farm Smart program, as we tour her family farm (Caywood Farms).
Register for the field trip here
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
November 20:In the Field with Jack Vessey
Today we are in the field with Jack Vessey, who oversees Vessey & Company. Vessey and Company, Inc. is a 4th generation produce grower and shipper, located in the Imperial Valley. This family farm grows fruits, vegetables, hay, and grain on more than 10,000 acres. Over 40 different types of fruits and vegetables are grown conventionally and organically.
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
December 4: Oasis Farms with Scott Howington
Learn about organic farming in Imperial County with a local grower, Scott Howington.
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
December 11: Kent SeaTech Tour
Learn about aquaculture with Eli Amparano, Kent SeaTech Aquaculture Biologist, as we tour California's largest fish farm located in Mecca, CA. Kent SeaTech scientists have provided aquaculture consulting services on more than 200 projects for clients in 40 different countries, involving over 100 different species of fish and shellfish. https://kentseatech.com/
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
December 18: Imperial California Olive Mill
Today we're visiting a local olive mill to learn how olives become olive oil. Imperial California Olive Mill is a locally owned and multi-generational family-operated farm and mill in the Imperial Valley. From their olive groves to a State-of-the-art Mill, Imperial California Olive Mill produces and bottles California Fresh Extra Virgin Olive Oil. http://www.imperialolive.com
Field Trip Recording: Please complete this survey to get access to the recording of the field trip
Virtual Lessons
Please share the link below with any other teachers and/or parents that may be interested (and not the direct link to the lesson) so that we may capture who we are reaching to assist with grants and donation requests, thank you!
Please remind your students and parents to find us on Facebook and Instagram for more ag-inspiration, facts and fun! www.Facebook.com/ucfarmsmart and www.intagram.com/UCFarmSmart