A group of teens discovered their passion for sustainable land management through the Land Pathways program.
For a group of eight teenagers from Sacramento’s Meadowview neighborhood, the concept of “owning land” felt abstract — something that happened to other people in other places. The HIM Land Pathways program changed that perspective entirely.
Over a 12-week immersive experience, participants worked directly with land — learning soil science, sustainable farming practices, property boundary mapping, and the basics of land acquisition.
“The first day, most of them had never even thought about what it means to own a piece of land,” recalls mentor David Okafor. “By week six, they were asking about property taxes and zoning laws. The shift was incredible.”
The program combined classroom instruction with field work on a 10-acre demonstration plot. Participants planted crops, maintained irrigation systems, and even presented land management plans to a panel of local real estate professionals.
For 16-year-old participant Aaliyah Johnson, the experience was transformative: “I used to think success meant getting a good job. Now I know it means owning something. Land doesn’t lose value — it grows. And now I know how to be part of that.”
Three participants from the cohort have since enrolled in advanced HIM programs, and two are actively saving toward their first land purchase with guidance from HIM mentors.
The confidence these young people gained extends far beyond agriculture. They learned to set goals, manage resources, and think long-term — skills that will serve them in every area of life.
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