When Mariana González Castro was five years old, she visited the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center in Holtville, California. There, she picked fresh carrots from the ground as part of a Farm Smart program activity. That early experience influenced her view of agriculture. Today, González Castro leads the same program that first inspired her.
Farm Smart is based at the Desert Research and Extension Center, which is part of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program is marking 25 years of connecting students and families with agriculture through hands-on education.
“One of the great challenges is bringing education about the value of agriculture, water, and natural resources to our communities,” said Jairo Díaz, director of the Desert Research and Extension Center. “Farm Smart helps connect people with the reality of how food is produced and why agriculture is essential for Imperial Valley.”
Established in 2001, Farm Smart began as a small after-school effort but has grown into a regional educational program serving K-12 students, college students, and community members. Since its founding, it has reached more than 200,000 participants.
The program emphasizes practical learning by using demonstration areas, crop tours, and interactive activities to help students understand where their food comes from. In Imperial Valley—a region where agriculture drives much of the local economy—Farm Smart works to bridge gaps between agricultural production and public understanding.
Students learn about growing crops such as carrots and other vegetables, livestock feeding practices, and how agricultural products move through the food supply chain.
González Castro described how her early experiences harvesting vegetables made a lasting impression on her outlook. “I am an example of the impact that Farm Smart can have,” she said. “I participated as a child, and it changed my view of agriculture. Today I want new generations to have that same opportunity.”
Now overseeing Farm Smart operations herself, González Castro aims to show students that agriculture involves not only food production but also science, innovation, and career opportunities.
The program operates through donations, grants, and community partnerships with schools, organizations, and local agencies. “Farm Smart would not exist without community support,” González Castro said. “Everything we do is possible because families, schools and organizations believe in this program.”
Farm Smart’s success has helped drive plans for a new educational facility at the Desert Research and Extension Center aimed at expanding access to learning opportunities for more participants in future years. “The growth of Farm Smart is one reason we are investing in new educational facilities,” Díaz said.
After 25 years in operation—serving over 200,000 people—Farm Smart continues its mission to connect communities with science-based knowledge about agriculture while supporting future generations.