STATE FAIR FARM TOURS & EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR CALIFORNIA STUDENTS

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1 STATE FAIR FARM TOURS & EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR CALIFORNIA STUDENTS

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3 If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; If in terms of ten years, plant trees; If in terms of 100 years, teach the people. -- Confucius Each year the California State Fair is a celebration of California s resources, industries, diversity and residents. For more than 160 years, we ve been inspiring California s best to be even better and now we want to continue that tradition by presenting the State Fair Farm Tours and Educational Workshops for California Students. With our roots deep in agriculture, we have worked to showcase the breadth and importance of the industry, including most recently: urban farming, production, science of seeds, specialty crops, emerging trends and technology. Our goal is to continue to develop a holistic representation of agriculture through a celebration of California grown products and education. Cal Expo offers a unique opportunity because of our position and relationships with the best innovators in sustainable farming practices, natural resource management, technology, health and nutrition. With the continued success of the State Fair Farm and earning the prestigious judge s award the best agricultural program by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions for the 2014 State Fair Kitchen and Farm program, we want to launch our State Fair Farm School Tour Program. Cal Expo during the Fair has a lush and productive 3.5-acre Farm and we are thrilled that this program will utilize the Farm as a living-learning lab for California youth to learn and enjoy well after the Fair has ended. The State Fair has a great history in delivering a fully integrated multi-sensory experience in the form of edu-tainment for our guests. We work to captivate, educate, and inspire all ages, while satisfying curiosity with hands-on activities that lead to a new level of understanding. In ongoing partnership development and feedback, we ve seen noticeable changes in behavior tied to food science education particularly openness to exploring new foods and adoption of healthier eating habits.

4 PROJECT OVERVIEW One of the key goals of this program is to provide a well-rounded understanding for the students of what it takes to produce the food they consume. This includes understanding where their food comes from, how its produced including the labor it required, technology behind shipping, packaging and marketing, to distribution with a special emphasis on nutrition and healthy eating. This program will also give the students a glimpse of what is possible for them to pursue for future careers in agriculture. Global population estimates of 9 billion people by the year 2050 will require significant investment into food production, including educating consumers and building a technically trained workforce. California remains a leader in agriculture production and can provide viable career paths for our youth. The proposed State Fair Farm School Tours project will plant seeds of inspiration that yield fruit for a lifetime. Our State Fair Farm School Tours and Educational Workshops will provide elementary aged students (K-6 grade) with a field trip to the State Fair Farm. This two - hour field trip includes an introduction to the farm, significance of California agriculture industry and five specific educational units based on the life cycle of agricultural products.

5 Each unit is focused on a different key component of the food life cycle, including: PLANT IT Soils and worm composting Students learn the basics of soils and how to create their own worm-composting bin to encourage participation in agricultural hobbies, such as gardening. GROW IT Greenhouse and hydroponic growing Students learn about soilless growing systems and how production agriculture uses technology to create perfect growing conditions indoors. SEE IT California vegetable crop tour Students tour field crops and learn how California production farmers are incorporating sustainability into their farming practices. TASTE IT Fruit and vegetable tasting Students taste and learn how to prepare some of the crops that they saw growing in the farm. Creating the connection between agriculture and the food we eat. SAVE IT Water conservation and technology Students learn the importance of water and technology, with emphasis on helpful water saving tips that can be used at home. Students will walk away with resources to encourage continued learning and discovery at home. We would also like to create tools for teachers to use in their classroom after the field trip, such as videos, handouts, and lesson plan, if funding is available.

6 Our vision is for State Fair Farm School Tour project to evolve into a flagship showcase of food and agriculture technology in California. In just the Sacramento County region, we have the ability to reach over 435,000 elementary aged students, across several regional school districts. Our intent is to provide access to all students who wish to experience the program, regardless of socio-economic challenges. The project will fall within the management of the Program Department of the California State Fair. The Department is one of seven core functions of California Exposition and State Fair, which are governed by an 11-member Board of Directors (appointed by the Governor and Legislature). In addition, the Department oversees 19 different programs, administers several grants and has the capacity to grow. We want to make sure the tours are professionally developed and presented. This includes producing quality tools for educators and students and assisting schools districts and students who are unable to afford to participate.

7 FUNDING AND PROPOSED BUDGET This Special Project is supported through our Friends of the California State Fair (a 501c3 non-profit organization). Here at the State Fair we are lucky to have many generous in-kind partners, a sample of ongoing partnerships include: American River Community College California Aquaculture Association California Department of Food and Agriculture California State Floral Association Dave Wilson Nursery Sacramento Young Marines UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Our fundraising goal to launch this innovative program is $100,000 for the first year. Contained fundraising to sustain the program for a 3-year period and beyond is in our plan. Whenever possible we are seeking partnerships for at least a 3-year commitment. We are seeking partnerships with corporations; organizations and individuals who share the vision and importance of educating our young citizens about this vital life sustaining issue and it will be FUN for the kids! Cal Expo is a self-sufficient state agency that does not receive any federal, state or local funding. That is one of the reasons we are asking for your help. We are continuing to develop this project but we have a pretty clear idea what some of the initial cost and projected staff needs will be: Personnel (Salaries & Wages) - approximately $25,000 Project Director Keeps program on task assisting with school district outreach. Organizes review meeting and notifies all parties involved outcomes from educators exit surveys. Responsible for organizing collected data from student surveys to prepare report of findings to funder. Assists with all field trip activities.

8 Assistant Farm Lead Reports to Project Director to provide continuity for field trip components regarding farm logistics and crop availability. Responsible for setup, tear down, educational stations, field trip supplies and materials. Assistant School Tour Coordinator Personal outreach and program development. Will organizes tour schedules, assisting with necessary paperwork and outreach contact, collection of exit survey data, and collection of student survey data. Assists with setup, educational stations, and tear down of field trip activities. Video Production & Graphic Designer - approximately $15,000 Develop and produce professional education materials. Small video documentaries for outreach or in-classroom use. Equipment and Supplies - approximately $30,000 Plants, handouts, signage, activity supplies, changing exhibits and improvements to the Farm. We will also seek in-kind donations whenever possible.

9 Merit Based Grant Opportunities - approximately $20,000 Competitive application process for traditional tour fee waiver and transportation reimbursement to support financially challenged school districts. Our goal is to have this project as self-sustaining as possible. Some Income will be earned by charging a nominal fee of $9.00/ student for field trips. Estimated income based on roughly 40 tours (30 students/each) will generate $11,000 during the inaugural year of operation. Into the future, all net operating profit will be reinvested directly back into the program. The goal of $100,000 will enable the California State Fair the opportunity to create meaningful and sustainable programing for the Fall 2015 and the Spring 2016 Farm Schools Tour. Additionally it will allow the State Fair Farm to be open 6 weekends to the public and culinary programs and public education sessions would be added. These programs can consist of guest chefs, hands on farmers, agricultural and water experts and cattle ranchers to name a few. TIME LINE Since we want to start the tours in the Fall of this year (2015) we are on a pretty tight timeline: July 2015 Raise monies needed August 2015 Promote to schools Fall 2015 Schedule 6 weeks of School Tours Spring 2016 Schedule 6 weeks of School tours An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. -- Benjamin Franklin

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11 YOUR INVOLVEMENT Now that you see what a really wonderful opportunity the Farm at Cal Expo offers we NEED you to become a supporter and donor to this effort. We are developing a sponsorship program that will be adaptable to meet the needs of your organization. We will work with you to choose the most appropriate area in the Farm for you to sponsor and will assist in creating and customizing your display if desired. Available assets for consideration in the Farm that can carry significant name or brand recognition are: Crop Signs throughout the Fair Family Seating Area at front entrance Farm Kiosk (a perfect place to tell the story of your farm) Science of Seeds Soil Center Technology Barn (currently Insect Pavilion) The Farm Stand The Greenhouse The Grill The Orchard Presented by recognition on Free School Tours Please consider becoming a partner with Friends of the California State Fair by supporting this really innovative project. PLEASE CONTACT: Carrie Wright Sonya Logman Program Director External Affairs Director cwright@calexpo.com slogman@calexpo.com