Sowing Change
—Dr. Amy Frame, Board Member
Dr. Leticia Classen-Rodriguez and Anna Gurevitz of SocioEnvironmental and Education Network demonstrated fieldwork methods that high school teachers could use with students.
For many in Tulare County, outdoor education begins with a childhood trip to SCICON—but a growing coalition is working to ensure hands-on environmental learning happens at every grade level. SEED, a network of environmental education organizations, brings together teachers, community leaders, and experts to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
At the latest SEED Gathering, more than 80 guests explored the theme of Regenerative Agriculture, Food, and Soil Health, recognizing that farming is central to both climate challenges and solutions. The event, hosted by the Allensworth Progressive Association, featured kid-friendly activities, Spanish translation services, and incredible tacos, turning the day into a true community celebration.
The morning began with Co-Executive Director Tekoah Kadara, who delivered a land acknowledgment and shared Allensworth’s rich history alongside a powerful vision for empowerment through restorative agriculture. Next, Kevin Boyer, founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation and owner of Sequoia Roots Farm, laid the foundation for the day’s discussions, defining regenerative agriculture as “a way of supplying the human needs of food, fiber, fuel, and fun while improving or maintaining the systems and cycles on which we depend.”
Cole Smith, of UC Davis Agriculture and Natural Resources helped participants make worm bins for reducing food waste and building healthy soils.
Workshops throughout the day offered hands-on activities and future-focused solutions, sparking fresh ideas for educators. Leigh-Ann Olsen, a Kingsburg High School science teacher, shared, “I was able to make connections to concepts I discuss in class and think about them in new ways. I loved the hands-on activities like making a worm bin and seeing how soil conditions impact water infiltration.”
Priscilla Lopez, a Burton Academy of Science and Agriculture teacher, emphasized the importance of making regenerative agriculture accessible to students, saying, “It’s up to us as educators to create awareness and prepare the next generation.”
Daisy Magaña and Genna Kules of Foodlink’s Deep Roots gardening program gave away spring veggie seedlings to boost food sovereignty.
The impact of SEED’s work continues to grow, inspiring local leaders like Brian Fagundes of Point Blue, who reflected, “I was born and raised in Tulare and Kings County, and opportunities to learn about nature, regenerative agriculture, and the environment were rare. Now, working as a wildlife biologist and agroecologist, I’m inspired to connect with others in the region to grow our collective impact.”
With every gathering, SEED is expanding the movement for climate literacy and environmental education, creating opportunities for educators, students, and communities to shape a more sustainable future.
