We’re sharing this blog from Katie Pencke of Alluvial Farms and her “appreciation for the people who dedicate their time and talents to creating environments where others can thrive—especially in education”. Alluvial Farms is one of the participating farm partners in our Agricultural Career Exploration – Whatcom program. Read Katie’s words below:

This brings me to three remarkable educators who deserve to be celebrated. Ms. Mitchell at Nooksack Valley High School, Mr. Rightmeyer at Mount Baker High School, and Mr. Toretta at Ferndale High School have been instrumental in the Agriculture Career Exploration Whatcom program. They show up every day to inspire and guide students, helping them explore agriculture and science in ways that make a tangible difference.

These educators have become the backbone of this program, fostering curiosity and growth in our rural high schools. In the next few blog posts, I’ll delve deeper into their stories and celebrate the incredible work they do to empower the next generation of leaders in agriculture and science.

We want to shine a spotlight on the contributions of Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Rightmeyer, and Mr. Toretta, and share more about how their work embodies the values of Equity, Compassion, and Adventure that inspire my own journey.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as I share more about the incredible work these educators do to bring hands-on science and agriculture to life for hundreds—if not thousands—of students over the course of their careers. Their dedication to fostering curiosity and sparking new interests is truly inspiring.

In the meantime, let’s hear directly from their students. The feedback we received after farm field trips this past fall highlights the profound impact these experiences have. These trips give students the chance to connect with the natural world, explore agriculture, and engage in real-world science in a way that stays with them.

Take a look at what students had to say about their visits:

• “Something that went well on the field trip was they actually let us do hands-on things.”
• “Something I am wondering about after the field trip is how big of an impact did I have on the stream restoration?” (This was in response to their service project of hand-removing invasive blackberries.)
• “I saw my first grape vine and touched my first pig. The pig surprised me. The pig’s hair is not soft; it feels like straw.”

• “I am wondering how long Cloud Mountain Apple Farm has been a thing. Why haven’t I heard of it?”
• “Do they have jobs for 15-year-olds that pay?”
• “How much college do you need to work on a local small farm?”

These reflections capture the wonder and curiosity sparked by these hands-on learning opportunities. They also highlight the importance of educators like Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Rightmeyer, and Mr. Toretta, who guide students through these transformative experiences.

Stay tuned as I continue to share more about their incredible contributions and the lasting legacy they are building in our community.