Agricultural Career Exploration (ACE) - Whatcom

Connecting schools & farms in Whatcom County to empower the next generation of agricultural leaders

Engaging students in exploring a wide range of potential career opportunities and building career skills in agriculture

By partnering with farmer mentors, students will…

Work with four local farms already engaged in our community
- Steensma Creamery, Alluvial Farms, Small Acres, Cloud Mountain Farm Center
Farmers will have the opportunity to connect with local high school students from:
- Mt. Baker High School, Nooksack Valley High School, Ferndale High School
Understand the diversity of work experiences in Ag
Identify pathways to inspirational careers
Apply their in-class learning to on-farm realities
Build a network of trusted farm mentors for potential jobs and internships
Leverage their CTE courses to be competitive hires for local farm businesses

Learn more about

Equipment operation
Facilities management
Infrastructure building
Animal husbandry and veterinary
Value-added production
General horticulture
Marketing & Distribution
Culinary careers and local food procurement
Food safety compliance
Harvesting
Regional food systems

Partner Farms

Small Acres Farm

Diversified 5 acres: certified organic vegetables, fruit, pasture raised eggs, fermented products, pantry goods.

Renewable energy and small farm technology; compost systems and closed-loop farming.

Local food access through Twin Sisters Markets, CSA sales, direct to consumer.

On-farm education and community building

Visit Small Acres Farm

Alluvial Farms

45 acres of pastured pork; whole hog use, with on-farm production of pet treats and body care products.

Ethically raised animals, regenerative and carbon cycling farm practices.

Sustainable land use, mid-scale farming.

Direct to consumer, wholesale, online and on-farm retail.

Visit Alluvial Farms

Cloud Mountain Farm Center

Over 75 varieties of certified organic fruit in diverse orchards and vineyards across 19.5 acres. Variety trials & land use experimentation in soil health and management.

Unique retail nursery with in-house horticultural expertise; propagation and greenhouse management, grafting and field growing.

Visit Cloud Mountain Farm Center

Steensma Creamery

200 acres of regenerative dairy production, pastured beef, and land stewardship.

Rotational grazing, soil management, organic practices; land stewardship at the heart of production.

Multi-generational family business producing local skyr yogurt on-farm, selling wholesale, retail, and direct to consumers.

Visit Steensma Creamery

Cloud Mountain Farm Center recently launched Agricultural Career Exploration (ACE) - Whatcom, a program that engages students in exploring a wide range of potential career opportunities and building career skills in agriculture. Cloud Mountain Farm Center is the largest program of Sustainable Connections, a Whatcom County based nonprofit that develops environmental, economic, and educational solutions to drive meaningful, long-term change.

Agricultural Career Exploration (ACE) - Whatcom receives support and funding from a US Department of Labor Career Connect Washington grant. Read more about USDOL grant funding at esd.wa.gov/usdol.