It will be very hard to top 2014: the creation of the West Sacramento Urban Farm, graduation of the 3rd Class of the California Farm Academy, new FARMS Leadership Programs in Fresno, training of two new organizations in the San Joaquin Valley to implement their own SLEWS Programs, providing over $16,000 in funding to high school students and schools in the Caring for our Watersheds Program...but 2015 has started off with a huge bang!

Earlier this month, we were humbled and honored to be named by Comstock's Magazine and Kamere as one of the Capital Region's 10 most inspiring Non-Profits. This competition was announced last fall, and as soon as I read the description I knew that we should apply. The hard part was deciding on which stories to tell. At the Center for Land-Based Learning, we help youth and adults cultivate opportunity; the opportunity for college and careers, the opportunity for connecting to the land, the opportunity for leadership. See the stories that won us this recognition: Tattiana is a graduate of three of our youth programs (SLEWS, FARMS Leadership and Growing Green). Her video can be viewed here.  Jay Cuff is a 2013 California Farm Academy graduate and owner of Hearty Fork Farm. His video can be viewed here.

The success behind our work is always due to the people - our hard working staff and dedicated Board of Directors. Two of our long-time board members Jay Cutler and Mike Rizzo, stepped down in December after multiple Board terms for each and already we are thrilled to present our newest addition to the Board, Catherine Oh. Catherine is a Partner at Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP and is clearly committed to the community in which she lives and works. She also has a special connection to Land-Based Learning; her husband Jay is that inspirational beginning farmer that I just spoke of!

I am also pleased to announce the hiring of our Director of Development and Communication, Christine McMorrow. Christine started at Land-Based Learning in March of 2013 as the Director of the FARMS Leadership Program, and in that short time, has led the program through its 20-Year Anniversary celebration, and on to the largest expansion in history. Her work has established new partners and sustainable funding sources for the FARMS Leadership Program.

Thank you for all of your support - from near and far - and all the best to you in 2015. Please, keep in touch, tell us how Land-Based Learning has touched your life, and help us to continue to connect to more communities and people in California.

With gratitude,