Courtesy photos.
VENTURA — At its March 3 meeting, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a 20-year, $0 per year lease agreement between Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) and the County of Ventura to develop an educational farm on 3.63 acres of arable land located behind the Ventura County Juvenile Facilities property in Oxnard.
In collaboration with the County of Ventura and the Ventura County Probation Agency (VCPA), SEEAG will establish the Southbank Learning Farm, a community-driven space where justice-involved youth will engage in hands-on farming and food education and career pathway development, while growing fresh, healthy produce to support local food access initiatives.
“SEEAG is grateful for the support of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in advancing our vision for this project,” says Caitlin Paulus Case, SEEAG executive director. “The Southbank Learning Farm will provide justice-involved youth with outdoor, STEM-based learning opportunities, holistic wellness education, and paid work experience through structured pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. Volunteers and community partners will play a vital role in supporting on-farm programs and land stewardship, helping us grow and donate more than 25,000 pounds of fresh produce annually.”
SEEAG projects that more than 300 apprentices and interns over the next 20 years will receive hands-on, paid experience on the farm, preparing them to enter the workforce as the next generation of agricultural and environmental leaders.
“Our partnership with Students for Eco Education and Agriculture reflects a shared commitment to transforming lives through education, mentorship, and meaningful opportunity,” said Chief Ron Miller of the Ventura County Probation Agency. “Together with Students for Eco Education and Agriculture, we are creating an environment where youth can gain hands-on agricultural experience, develop workforce skills, and build the confidence they need to succeed. This collaboration is about more than programming, it’s about working side by side to support positive change and ensure the young people in our care are prepared to reenter their communities with purpose, skills, and a renewed sense of possibility.”
The site was previously known as the Senior Nutrition Farm. The farm’s mission was to distribute locally grown produce to homebound Ventura County seniors and others with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. SEEAG plans to honor that legacy by partnering with local senior programs to provide volunteer opportunities and support fresh food distributions to seniors.
“More than 10% of Ventura County’s population regularly experiences food insecurity, despite living in one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world,” says Paulus Case. “The farm will help bring healthy foods to those in need, while empowering at-risk youth to lead the way in creating a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.”
Through its “Whole Harvest Campaign,” SEEAG is seeking financial support and in-kind donations to fund the first five years of development and operation of the Southbank Learning Farm. “We are raising funds to invest in five kinds of capital essential for sustainable farm development: human, natural, physical, social, and financial. These investments will support tangible needs, such as replacing irrigation systems, establishing a greenhouse, and planting native and pollinator habitat, as well as intangible needs, including building a diverse advisory committee and volunteer network. Most importantly, all funds raised are direct investments in our community’s youth, creating opportunities for growth and connection that will have lasting impact,” says Paulus Case.
To learn about the Southbank Learning Farm, including how to volunteer or donate, please visit www.seeag.org
