Introduction

Youth programming at the River ranch is in full swing! The River Ranch provides opportunities for students to participate in very exciting and innovative activities that focus on connecting youth and adult volunteers with food, health, and the environment.

Currently we are partnered with Cordova High School with plans to connect with other local middle and elementary schools. In the future, the River Ranch will accommodate other schools and groups for field trips to the farm for rich and meaningful hands-on learning experiences.

Activities and Areas of Focus

Service Learning
The main service-learning project focuses on food access. Youth help plant, harvest, and distribute food through a food box program that makes organic produce available to homes, businesses and assisted living facilities throughout the Sacramento region.

Community Service
Soil Born Farms has adopted Mile 16 of the American River Parkway. This provides youth with opportunities to develop an intimate relationship with a section of Parkway as they clean-up trash along the mile, and remove graffiti and other undesirable debris. Youth also maintain a grove of oak seedlings further downstream.

Hands-on Interaction with Agriculture
Youth plant and harvest a diversity of mixed vegetables and flowers and learn sustainable agriculture practices like composting, seed propagation, and plant care.

Healthy Cooking Classes
This involves preparing and cooking seasonal and local organic foods. Students acquire safe food preparation skills, and they develop and utilize recipes that reinforce healthy eating and living practices.

Restoration Projects
Youth from the high school have adopted a grove of native oak trees along the river. This involves planting acorns and seedlings, and monitoring the trees’ health over time. Soon, native plant restoration will occur the River Ranch as we work with the California Native Plant Society.

American River Nature Hikes
Students hike with an experienced naturalist along the nature trails of the American River Parkway, and discover the beauty and diversity of the river’s dynamic ecosystem.

Partnerships
Youth programs at the River Ranch offer opportunities for youth to connect with other youth, adults, and other community-based organizations. These partnerships enable youth to develop powerful relationships with others, and they give them a sense of belonging and a deeper connection with their community.

To learn more about the River Ranch’s youth programs and services, contact Guy Galante, Education Director: ggalante@soilborn.org