Cultivating change: how Tee is growing a greener future

Every day Tee helps her community by growing and caring for local food sources. As the farm education manager at Oasis Farm & Fishery, she inspires both adults and children to embrace sustainable living and protect food systems. Tee’s journey began at Bidwell Training Center’s (BTC) Horticulture Technology program, where she discovered her passion for agriculture. 

After more than 20 years working in health care and government facilities, Tee felt a deep calling to learn how to grow food, care for the land and share that knowledge with her community. Despite having no prior experience in agriculture, Tee was encouraged from the moment she walked through BTC’s doors. During her time in the program, she gained extensive knowledge about topics such as green rooftops, sustainability, permaculture and plant industry operations. Tee credits her success to the support of her instructors and classmates. 

Her instructor fondly shared, “From the start, Tee brought compassion, kindness and care for everyone. She came to this program with the goal to help, heal and bring people together.”   

Tee states her experience was life changing. “Attending BTC has made me a better and more complete person,” she reflects. “I’m so grateful to Mr. Bill Strickland for pursuing his dream and making a difference in the community and paving the way for others like me.”   

Tee is now combining her expertise and passion to teach her community the importance of sustainable living and creating a brighter and greener future for all.