Building the SGCA Agriculture Sciences Program from the Ground Up

At Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance, the Agriculture Sciences program is helping students explore the world of agriculture through hands-on learning, career preparation, and industry connections. Leading the program is agriculture educator Brieana DeMelo, whose lifelong connection to agriculture shaped both her career and the vision behind the program.

“I would always play teacher when I was younger,” she shared. “A lot of the important people in my life were teachers, so that definitely influenced me.”

Brieana later attended California Polytechnic State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences with an emphasis in Animal Science. During college, she spent a year abroad in Kenya working as a farm consultant for an orphanage, helping teach sustainable food cultivation practices.

I would always play teacher when I was younger. A lot of the important people in my life were teachers, so that definitely influenced me.

After returning home, she earned her master’s degree in education, combining her passion for agriculture with teaching.

Creating an Agriculture Program for our Unique Program

Brieana’s passion for agriculture began early while growing up on her family’s dairy farm, which milked around 200 cows. As a child, she helped irrigate corn, milk cows, and work around the property while becoming deeply involved in agricultural youth programs.

When she was just a student herself, she participated in 4-H and FFA, breeding and showing rabbits, market goats, and dairy heifers. Her experiences eventually led her to state and national agriculture competitions, including earning second place in the state as a chicken meat judge evaluating consumer quality.

Alongside her love for agriculture, Brieana also developed a passion for education.

When developing SGCA’s Agriculture Sciences program, Brieana envisioned creating opportunities similar to traditional FFA programs while adapting them for homeschool students.

Her goal was to build something that offered students both flexibility and meaningful real-world experiences.

“It started as an alternative opportunity for homeschool students to experience agriculture education and leadership opportunities,” Brieana explained.

The program now includes:

• Agriculture Club opportunities for grades 6–12
• Agriculture Sciences classes for high school students
• Industry tours and guest speakers
• Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities
• Industry certifications in biological and sustainability agriculture pathways

Through a partnership with AgAline, students can also earn industry-recognized certifications to place on resumes and career applications. The current certification pass rate within the program is 100%.

Building Industry Connections

Many of the program’s field trips, tours, and guest speakers come from relationships Brieana built while previously working in traditional school agriculture programs and within the agriculture industry itself.

Guest speakers and industry opportunities have included professionals from local farms, agriculture businesses, and organizations such as World Ag Expo.

Although, some opportunities are built simply through outreach and networking.

“A lot of it comes from relationships I’ve built over the years,” Brieana said. “Sometimes it’s also just cold-calling farms and asking if they’d be willing to work with students.”

Hands-On and Career-Focused Learning

A major focus of the program is helping students connect classroom learning to real-world careers and applications.

Brieana believes agriculture courses naturally help students see the relevance of science and career skills in everyday life.

“In chemistry or biology classes, students sometimes wonder when they’ll use those concepts,” she explained. “In agriculture, it’s directly applicable to real life.”

In chemistry or biology classes, students sometimes wonder when they’ll use those concepts — in agriculture, it’s all directly applicable to real life.

Courses within the program focus on:

• Agriscience
• Animal Science
• Plant and Soil Science
• Agricultural Business
• Sustainability and food systems
• Career readiness and resume-building

One course, AHG 60, focuses specifically on employability and workforce preparation.

“The goal is helping students stand out once they graduate,” Brieana said.

Students also complete research projects and hands-on assignments connected to real agricultural challenges. Projects have included studying salinity’s effect on plant growth and testing how different light colors affect plants.

Expanding Opportunities for Students

As the program has grown, Brieana has focused on developing additional course pathways and opportunities for students to continue advancing their studies semester after semester.

Upcoming expansions include new in-person lab experiences that Brieana is especially excited about introducing.

“It’s important that everything we learn is relevant and applicable,” she said. “I don’t want students just taking multiple-choice tests. I want them going to farms, learning about biosecurity, and creating real plans that connect to careers.”

Her long-term vision includes growing student enrollment while increasing leadership and student-led opportunities within the Agriculture Club.

Why Agriculture Education Matters

Brieana believes agriculture literacy is increasingly important as more people become disconnected from food production systems.

“Everything is agriculture,” she explained. “There’s such a disconnect between consumers and the people actually producing food. Students need that knowledge to make informed decisions.”

She also emphasizes that agriculture careers extend far beyond farming.

“There are so many opportunities in this industry that students don’t always realize exist,” she said. “We want to expose students to all those possibilities.”

It’s important that everything we learn is relevant and applicable. I don’t want students just taking multiple-choice tests. I want them going to farms, learning about biosecurity, and creating real plans that connect to careers.

Encouraging Students to Get Involved

For families considering the program, Brieana encourages students to start exploring.

“Do it,” she said. “If students aren’t sure yet, start with the Agriculture Club and test the waters. If you want your student to have a full experience that goes beyond a textbook, this is the place for you.”

Through hands-on projects, industry experiences, certifications, leadership opportunities, and career-focused learning, the SGCA Agriculture Sciences program continues to grow into a dynamic pathway for students interested in agriculture, science, sustainability, and future career exploration.
 

A large tractor is in the process of being worked on at the DeMelo family farm! A tire change is underway so they can get back to plowing some fields.

This DeMelo farm cat is certainly catching some rays in the DeMelo family’s flower garden, full of dahlias and roses and other vegetation, this kitten is enjoying the springtime blooms.

Brieana Demelo smiles brightly into the camera as she holds a red hen.

Brieana DeMelo (left) poses alongside accomplished student Alyssa Smith for her photos of their Chico Farm Fieldtrip, earning her the photography award in the Agriculture club.