it’s a bountiful life
Interview by Linda DuBois • Photos by Steve German
New generations will continue to grow food in California thanks in part to the Center for Land-Based Learning, a Yolo County nonprofit that works to develop new farmers, agricultural leaders and natural resource stewards. In 1993, walnut farmers Craig and Julie McNamara started a program for 30 high school students to give them hands-on training in farming on a 5-acre site in Winters. Then called the FARMS Leadership Program, it was run by volunteers who worked with a couple of other established organizations. Then in 1998, the center hired its first employee, Mary Kimball, who went on to become the chief executive officer. Under her leadership, the center has grown into several youth and adult programs in more than 25 California counties, with 20,000 alumni, 30 employees and 75 to 100 volunteers. After outgrowing the original 1,500-square-foot farmhouse office, the headquarters moved into a 6,000-square-foot building on more than 30 acres in Woodland in 2020. Adult programs train beginning farmers to grow and sell produce, provide land to get them started, offer farm-management apprenticeships and more. The center has earned numerous regional, state and national awards and in the spring of 2023, Kimball was named Yolo County Woman of the Year. Director leads nonprofit that trains future ag professionals new farmers
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Spring 2024
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