Information provided by San Benito Resource Conservation District. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
A high school student with deep roots in the land won the local Resource Conservation District (RCD) Speak Off contest. Frida Salinas, a senior at Hollister High School, earned first place and a cash prize, for her heartfelt speech on the theme: “How can you turn your talents and interests into a career in the Resource Conservation field?”
Her winning speech focused on her personal journey of leading the Comstock Community Farm, a volunteer run initiative that grows fresh vegetables for donation to local community organizations. Through this project, she discovered not only a passion for sustainable agriculture but also the perseverance needed to create lasting change in her community.
Judges were impressed on how she connected her personal experiences to broader conservation principles and demonstrated how young people can lead by example.
“She is what this contest is all about,” said San Benito RCD Board Member Liz Duncan. “She didn’t just speak about conservation—she lives it.”
Frida will now represent San Benito County at the upcoming Central Coast Region RCD Speak Off Competition in San Luis Obispo, where she will compete against students from several other counties. First place winner at the regional level will compete at the state-level competition at the California Association of RCDs Conference in Sacramento in November, with a first place cash prize of $1,000.
Volunteers are invited to help Frida and her friends harvest tomatoes, chiles, and other vegetables at Comstock Community Farm on three upcoming Saturdays in October and November. Frida welcomes suggestions of local organizations that could receive and distribute donated produce to community members in need. More information can be found on the flyer below.
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