Michael Jaquez is one of our newer Community Education Specialist with the Climate Smart Agriculture team at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Based in San Diego County, he is excited to create connections with local farmers and growers and provide technical assistance to increase the use of climate smart agricultural practices.

Michael is a San Diego native and began his journey in the agriculture industry through raising livestock projects with Ramona Wranglers 4-H. He pursued a bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a minor in Dairy Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Michael then returned to Cal Poly to complete a Master of Agricultural Education degree and teaching credential to begin working as a high school agricultural educator and FFA advisor. He spent a year teaching Food Science, Veterinary Science and Introductory Agricultural Mechanics to students in the Bay Area. 

Much of Michael's practical agriculture experience comes from helping with his family's regenerative meat and egg farm, Three Sons Farm. Located in Ramona, they produce pasture-raised chicken and eggs, grassfed beef and pork, and value-added products using pork lard. The farm believes that waste is an unused resource and strives to minimize waste production. Three Sons Farm sells at local farmer's markets throughout the week and delivers directly to customers homes. The farm has provided Michael with the opportunity to develop a holistic understanding of the agriculture industry by being involved in many stages of production including: animal husbandry, processing and packaging, farmer's market sales and outreach, and grant writing.

Working as a Community Education Specialist provides the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of the industry, and Michael is excited to apply his skill set and passion for local agriculture to continue supporting San Diego farmers and growers.