This article was done as a special collaboration with Central Coast Farm & Ranch magazine which is published by the Farm Bureau of Ventura County.

Ventura County Farm Day 2026 at a Glance

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 Hours: 10am – 3pm

Cost: Free. No tickets required.

Format: Self-guided. Visit as many or as few locations as you choose.

Locations: 20+ farms across Ventura County, including SEEAG’s Farm Day Hub at Petty Ranch, Duda Farms’ Olivas Ranch, Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore, Growing Works in Camarillo, Rio Regenerative Farm, and a wildflower and weed show in Santa Paula.

Organizer: SEEAG (Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture) More info: SEEAG

For those who have been farming for decades—or even those involved with agriculture peripherally—it is sometimes a bit of a shock to realize how little the average consumer actually knows about what happens day-to-day in the fields.

FREE TOURS, LOCAL VENDORS, KIDS ACTIVITIES & MORE AT 20 LOCATIONS ON APRIL 11TH!

ALL AGES WWW.VCFARMDAY.ORG 10 AM – 3 PM
EXPLORE THE TRAIL MAP vcfarmday.org/map

“For many, the realities of farming are largely out of sight, even though we drive past it every day,” says Caitlin Paulus Case, executive director of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). Since 2008, SEEAG’s mission has been to educate the community on where their food originates and how farming impacts their lives. Creating the first Ventura County Farm Day in 2013 (followed by Santa Barbara County in 2019) was a natural extension of that goal.

Mike Roberts, co-founder and COO of Farmivore Food Hub, began farming at McGrath Family Farm under the mentorship of Phil McGrath over 15 years ago. “At that time, although our area is heavily agricultural. There was really no way to access and visit the local farms,” he says.

Now offered in both Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, Farm Day is a free self-guided multi-location event that invites consumers to spend a day visiting working farms. “When community members participate in Farm Day, they get the opportunity to step into the world of local agriculture, building a deeper appreciation for the hands and the lands that feed us,” says Paulus Case, “They see firsthand the incredible amount of time, resources and skill it takes to safely grow, harvest, transport and store food so fresh produce can make it to our homes and families.”

With 20+ locations participating at last count, visitors can explore the diverse agricultural spectrum of Ventura County, including SEEAG’s Farm Day Hub at Petty Ranch, Duda Farms’ Olivas Ranch, nurseries like Otto & Sons in Fillmore and Growing Works in Camarillo, Rio Regenerative Farm, a wildflower and weed show in Santa Paula and so much more.

To learn the direct economic impact that events like Farm Day are having on the participating farms and broader community, SEEAG is partnering with the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) on a research project. “The results can be used to guide decisions on future investments and partnerships and provide a more comprehensive picture of the impact of these events, both qualitative and quantitative,” says Rachael Callahan, UC SAREP’s statewide agritourism coordinator. “The economic impact study is timely, as Ventura County is in the process of developing an agritourism strategy to support agricultural viability in the county.”

While Farm Day has traditionally been held towards the end of the year, this year SEEAG has moved the date to April 11. Fifth-generation farmer Chris Sayer of Petty Ranch weighs in on the change. “This is one of the busiest times of year for local farmers,” he says. “But I’m looking forward to letting people see more of what goes into keeping Ventura one of the top crop-producing counties in the nation.”

FARM DAY 2026

Ventura County Farm Day 2026 is April 11, 10am–3pm.

Santa Barbara County Farm Day is September 12.

FARM DAY EVERY DAY

SEEAG is now offering Farm Day Every Day, free monthly limited-ticket farm-based community events.

The next event is at Tutti Frutti Farms in Lompoc, March 28, 9am–11am.

Subsequent Farm Day Every Day locations include:

April: Ventura County Farm Day

May: Rancho Olivos, Santa Ynez

June: Otto & Sons Nursery, Fillmore

Register on SEEAG.org/farm-day-every-day.

If you would like to be a participating partner, please reach out to [email protected].

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Ventura County Farm Day?

Ventura County Farm Day is a free, self-guided multi-location event that invites consumers to spend a day visiting working farms. It takes place across multiple farm sites simultaneously, and visitors can explore as many or as few locations as they choose, at their own pace.

When is Ventura County Farm Day 2026?

Ventura County Farm Day 2026 is April 11, 10am–3pm. Note that this is a change from previous years — Farm Day has traditionally been held towards the end of the year, but this year SEEAG has moved the date to April 11.

How much does Farm Day cost?

Farm Day is completely free. No tickets, no registration and no tour buses — you drive yourself and visit whichever farms interest you during the 10am–3pm window.

Which farms participate in Ventura County Farm Day?

With 20 locations participating at last count, visitors can explore the diverse agricultural spectrum of Ventura County, including SEEAG’s Farm Day Hub at Petty Ranch, Duda Farms’ Olivas Ranch, nurseries like Otto & Sons in Fillmore and Growing Works in Camarillo, Rio Regenerative Farm, and more.

Who organizes Ventura County Farm Day?

Farm Day is organized by SEEAG — Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture. Since 2008, SEEAG’s mission has been to educate the community on where their food originates and how farming impacts their lives. SEEAG created the first Ventura County Farm Day in 2013, followed by Santa Barbara County in 2019.

Why did SEEAG start Farm Day?

For those who have been farming for decades, it is sometimes a shock to realize how little the average consumer knows about what happens day-to-day in the fields. “For many, the realities of farming are largely out of sight, even though we drive past it every day,” says Caitlin Paulus Case, SEEAG’s executive director.

What will I learn at Farm Day?

“When community members participate in Farm Day, they get the opportunity to step into the world of local agriculture, building a deeper appreciation for the hands and the lands that feed us,” says Paulus Case. “They see firsthand the incredible amount of time, resources and skill it takes to safely grow, harvest, transport and store food so fresh produce can make it to our homes and families.”

Is Farm Day good for families and children?

Yes — Farm Day is designed for all ages and is one of the most accessible agricultural education experiences in Ventura County. Children can see working farms, meet the farmers who grow their food, and understand where their meals come from in a hands-on, unhurried setting.

Is there a Santa Barbara County Farm Day?

Yes — Santa Barbara County Farm Day is September 12. It follows the same free, self-guided format across Santa Barbara County farm locations.

Are there other Farm Day events beyond the annual event?

Yes — SEEAG now offers Farm Day Every Day, free monthly limited-ticket farm-based community events throughout the year. These are smaller, more intimate events at individual farm sites. Check the SEEAG website for upcoming dates.

How is Farm Day’s impact being measured?

SEEAG is partnering with the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) on a research project to learn the direct economic impact that Farm Day is having on participating farms and the broader community.

How can a farm participate in Farm Day?

If you would like to be a participating partner, reach out to SEEAG directly through their website.