Empowering Through Balance:
Exploring the MAYE Elements in Programming and Education
Welcome to the immersive journey where programming meets the transformative MAYE elements—Meditation, Agriculture, Yoga, and Education. This unique fusion aims to harness the profound benefits of these disciplines, integrating them into a holistic educational experience. Here, you'll discover how the art of mindfulness, the grounding practice of agriculture, the physical and mental discipline of yoga, and the expansive power of education converge to offer a comprehensive pathway to personal growth and community empowerment. Our program is designed to cultivate resilience, foster wellness, and unlock the potential within each participant, preparing them for a life enriched with balance, understanding, and a deep connection to the world around them. Join us as we embark on this enlightening journey, exploring the core principles of the MAYE elements and their application in both personal development and the broader educational landscape.
Nourishing Connections: Bridging Local Food Networks with the MAYE Mission
Welcome to a pioneering initiative where the MAYE Center collaborates with local food distributors, such as FoodBank, to create a sustainable ecosystem of nourishment and support. This partnership embodies our commitment to fostering a cycle of growth, both for our operations and the community at large. Through selling the produce cultivated with care at our urban farms, we not only sustain the vital operations and programs of the MAYE Center but also ensure that thousands of residents have access to fresh, locally-grown produce.
Our collaboration with local partners is more than a distribution network; it's a testament to the power of community synergy. By joining hands with entities like FoodBank, we're able to extend the reach of our mission, bringing wholesome, nutritious food to the tables of those who need it most, while promoting sustainability, education, and wellness through our MAYE elements. This initiative is a cornerstone of our vision, demonstrating that when we work together, we can create a healthier, more resilient community.
Join us in this endeavor to transform local food distribution into a source of empowerment and rejuvenation for the community, guided by the principles of the MAYE Center. Together, we're not just growing food; we're nurturing lives.
The MAYE Center Aquaponics
The MAYE Aquaponics stands as a beacon of innovation and collaboration, seamlessly blending the intricate realms of aquaponics with the converging fields of design, marine biology, chemistry, horticulture, and ecology. At its core, MAYE Aquaponics is not just a hub for pioneers in the sustainable integration of fish and plant cultivation but a dynamic ecosystem fostering a multidisciplinary approach towards learning and development. By weaving together the expertise and insights from diverse domains, MAYE Aquaponics crafts unique and enriching learning experiences, underscored by its signature MAYE elements. This collaborative environment enables enthusiasts, professionals, and curious minds alike to delve into the synergies between these fields, unlocking new potentials and pioneering innovative solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Through its dedication to excellence and a holistic approach to education, MAYE Aquaponics is shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, one experience at a time.
Overview: Our cutting-edge aquaponics program, highlighting how we combine aquaculture with hydroponics to cultivate sustainable and organic produce.
Training Programs: Our comprehensive training sessions in aquaponics, catering to different levels including high school, college, and community members, with options for both paid and unpaid internships.
Technology & Research: Advanced technologies and research methodologies we employ in our aquaponics systems to maximize efficiency, sustainability, and crop yield.
Community & Learning
Social Enterprises: Mission-driven social enterprises programs, focused on creating a significant community impact by prioritizing the environment and economy over profit. Aquaponics and hydroponics showcase how food production, land and water conservation can co-exist in harmony and eco-friendly.
Engagement & Events: Community events, meditation sessions, gardening, and cooking classes designed to engage the community and foster a deeper connection with the environment.
Join & Support: Individuals and organizations can get involved, support our cause, or participate in our programs, highlighting the benefits of joining our community-focused initiatives.
Sustainability & Impact:
Fighting Food Insecurity: Our strategic approach to combating food insecurity is by increasing food production. This includes a detailed look at how our aquaponics program and other sustainable agricultural practices contribute to a stable, local food supply that is accessible to the community. We harvest average of 200lbs a day. All produce are donation based to the community.
Sustainable Practices: Our commitment to sustainable farming techniques that not only increase food production but also minimize environmental impact, conserve water, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Community Programs: The farm engages with the community to distribute the produce, including partnerships with local food banks, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and initiatives aimed at providing fresh, nutritious food to those in need.
Get Involved: Opportunities for volunteers, donors, and partners to contribute to our efforts in fighting food insecurity, whether through donations, volunteering, or participating in our educational programs. This section could also highlight the importance of community engagement in achieving our food security goals.
Educational Outreach:
Farm to Preschool program: The Farm to preschool program, connects young children with the source of their food through engaging, farm-based educational activities.
Program Activities: Farm tours for children, interactive gardening and cooking classes, interaction with the ecosystem of the farm such as the chickens, fish, bees, birds watching and listening to the sound in nature, harvesting and eating fruits from the trees, and hands-on learning experiences emphasize the importance of nutrition and food origins.
Impact on Children: The Farm to preschool program provide nutritional knowledge, eating habits, and overall wellbeing. Educators, parents, and participating childcare centers, such as Cathy Scott Childcare center indicate the benefits of connecting children with their food sources is essential for mental, emotional, and physical development for young children.
Partnerships & Support: Local childcare centers, schools, and other educational institutions can partner with the farm to implement Farm to preschool activities. Individuals and organizations can support the initiative through donations, volunteering, or by spreading the word.
STEAM & Experiential Learning:
STEAM at the Farm: The farm serves as a vibrant, living classroom for STEAM education, students can learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through the lens of sustainable farming and environmental stewardship.
Program Highlights: The Long Beach Public Library and The MAYE Center STEAM summer programs and activities offered at the farm; aquaponics system design and management; the science of plant growth, sustainable engineering projects; art in nature, and mathematical concepts in farming operations.
Student Engagement: students of various educational levels (from preschool to graduate students) can get involved in the farm's STEAM programs, including internships, workshops, field trips, and project-based learning opportunities.
Impact & Outcomes: The educational outcomes and benefits of integrating STEAM education with hands-on, experiential learning at the farm including, but not limited, to over 200 middle school students completed 64,000 hours of STEAM summer camp at the MAYE Farm, enhances understanding, creativity, and problem-solving skills. This program activated educators from CSULB, LB Public Library, provide education to low income and underserved communities, and local eco-friendly social enterprises.
Collaborations & Partnerships: We partners with schools such as CSULB, CSUDH, LBCC, LB public library, and community groups to expand and enrich STEAM education through direct engagement with the farm. Educators and institutions can collaborate with the farm to develop custom learning experiences.
Upcoming Programs and Events:
( Programs are cancelled on rainy days. Event dates may change. Please stay updated through our website)
Farmstand Saturdays 10-2pm
Long Beach Food Fair at the farm 1st and 3rd Saturdays 9am ( at the Carmelitos Community Garden)
Community Crop Swap 1st Saturday of the month (at TGE)
Gardening Classes Lead by UC Master Gardeners ( 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 and 4/13) 9am-12noon
Earth Day April 20th, 9am-1pm
National Kid’s Day June 8th 9am-1pm
Juneteenth Day June 22nd 9am-1pm
Farm-to-Table Dinner July 20th 6pm-9pm
Yoga, monthly retreats, meditation are for members only.
training programs and specialty programs are for enrolled participants only.
Aquaponic Training ( 16 sessions over 16 weeks) are opened for enrollment. Please email if you are interested.
Community Garden Plots are opened to Carmelitos Residents first. Please email us and we can put you on the waiting list.
Farm to Preschool programs- Please contact us for enrollment or collaboration