KING CITY — Hundreds of South Monterey County third graders took part in the 2026 South County Farm Day on Jan. 22 at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City, getting a hands-on introduction to agriculture, public safety and local resources.
The annual event, hosted by Monterey County Agricultural Education, serves as an educational field trip for local elementary schools.
“Farm Day is an accredited ‘hands-on’ educational program that is recognized locally and nationally in the agriculture industry,” stated the organization. “We are proud to have our Farm Day experiences be so highly respected by agriculturists and educators alike.”
Among this year’s participants was the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, which took part in Farm Day activities focused on safety and emergency awareness.
“A Monterey County Sheriff’s Emergency Assistance Team (SEAT) volunteer, deputies and staff had a great time teaching local students about Monterey County Sheriff’s Air Support Unit, rural safety, map reading and how to use 9-1-1 in emergency situations,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Students were also able to explore a patrol vehicle and view a static display aircraft.
“As Monterey County Sheriff’s Air Support Unit and CHP Air Operations often work together during missions, one officer was excited to experience our airplane, sharing in the same memorable experience as the students,” added the Sheriff’s Office.
Wonder Wood Ranch, which recently expanded its equine therapy programs to South Monterey County, also participated, bringing horses to connect with students.
“What a great time with a lot of great third graders,” the nonprofit said. “Whisper and LoJack made many new friends, and we got to talk about horses, the ranch and our program for bringing horses into schools to bring students some ‘hope on hooves.’”
Headstart Nursery Inc. of Gilroy, one of the nation’s top growers of vegetable transplants and ornamental plugs, contributed educational presentations focused on agriculture fundamentals.
“Lisa Branco, Ryan DeLashmutt and Maria Alfaro from our team volunteered at South County Farm Day today to teach hundreds of third graders about the magic of seeds, crops and all things agriculture,” the company said.
Headstart Nursery noted that DeLashmutt and Alfaro led presentations on seeds and crops, while Branco — the company’s sales manager and president of Monterey County Agricultural Education — attended alongside Farm Day Coordinator Tiffany Batistich.
In addition to many volunteers, King City Young Farmers provided lunch for the students.
South County Farm Day is designed to increase agricultural literacy and awareness by giving students firsthand exposure to farming, food production and related careers through interactive exhibits and community partnerships.
Through three Farm Day events each year — in King City, Monterey and Salinas — Monterey County Agricultural Education reaches approximately 6,500 students and 1,300 adults from about 250 classes and home-school groups in the county.
For more information about Farm Day, visit montereycountyageducation.org.
