VENTURA — Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is stepping down from the leadership role effective June 30. Maranville will become SEEAG’s major gifts grant writer. Caitlin Case, formerly SEEAG’s marketing director, has been named executive director.
Maranville started SEEAG 16 years ago. During that time, SEEAG has taught over 100,000 elementary school students in Central and Southern California about the origins of their food and healthy eating. SEEAG provides classroom learning as well as field trips to its Farm Labs at area farms. “The students I taught in 2008 are 24 years old now. My hope is, as adults, they remember their field trips and will be strong supporters of our farms and agriculture,” says Maranville.
SEEAG also hosts Santa Barbara Farm Day and Ventura County Farm Day, annual events where the public can visit local farms and other agricultural-related entities. All school programs (including field trip transportation) and public events are free.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have led such a dynamic and impactful get-it-done organization. Our SEEAG team and board are simply an extraordinary group of passionate and dedicated individuals,” says Maranville. “Caitlin has been with SEEAG since 2015, serving as an Intern, development associate, education director, and, most recently, director of marketing. Her experience, expertise, wonderful personality and leadership will allow SEEAG to thrive and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students and growers we serve in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.”
“I am humbled to lead alongside the many passionate and talented individuals who have brought this organization to where it is today,” says Case. “I look forward to cultivating the next chapter of SEEAG’s growth through collaboration and creativity with our SEEAG staff, board, donors, educators and the public.”
For more information about SEEAG, go to www.SEEAG.org