Breaking Barriers: SEEAG’s Bus Bucks Fundraiser Brings Students to the Farm

SEEAG’s Farm Lab site at Petty Ranch in Saticoy.

At Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), we believe every child should have the opportunity to experience hands-on agricultural education. Our annual Bus Bucks fundraiser is making that possible by directly funding bus reimbursements for schools attending our Farm-to-Food Lab programs in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

Why Transportation Matters

For many students, the cost of transportation is the biggest hurdle to participating in field trips. According to Caitlin Paulus-Case, SEEAG’s Executive Director, “We want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in our hands-on Farm-to-Food Lab programs. Covering transportation costs helps remove a major financial barrier. We often hear from students that their trip to Farm Lab is their very first field trip. It leaves a lasting understanding of the connection between agriculture and the food we eat.”

Farm-to-Food Lab: A Transformative Experience

Each year, third-graders from Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties take part in the Farm Lab program at Petty Ranch in Ventura and Allan Hancock College’s Demonstration Orchard in Santa Maria. These immersive experiences provide students with a first-hand look at where their food comes from, the importance of agriculture, and the hard work of local farmers. Best of all, the program and field trips are entirely cost-free to students, teachers, and schools.

February 2025 Goal: $5,000 for Bus Reimbursements

SEEAG is scheduled to host more than 6,000 students in 2025, but we need your help to ensure every child can make the trip. Our Bus Bucks fundraiser aims to raise $5,000 to cover transportation expenses so that no student is left behind due to financial constraints.

In the 2023/24 school year, SEEAG curated over 9,796 hands-on agricultural education experiences for students. With your support, we can continue to grow our impact and provide these invaluable experiences to even more students.

How You Can Help

Supporting Bus Bucks is easy! Your donation—no matter the size—goes directly toward helping students get to the Farm Lab, where they’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the food they eat and the farmers who grow it.

Visit our Bus Bucks donation page to donate today and help us break down barriers to agricultural education. Together, we can cultivate a brighter future for the next generation!