Oregon City School District has received a $120,844 Career and Technical Education Revitalization Grant from the Oregon Department of Education to launch the Agricultural & Skilled Trades Collaborative Land Lab Initiative. The 2025–27 award will help create a districtwide, hands-on learning site serving students in Agricultural Science, Construction and Manufacturing programs across CAIS, Oregon City High School and Oregon City Service Learning Academy.
The funding will support the transformation of an existing district-owned garage and surrounding property into an applied Agricultural Science and skilled trades learning environment. Plans include retrofitting the garage, developing the surrounding land for agricultural instruction, and preparing the site for future greenhouse expansion and outdoor learning spaces. Students will use the Land Lab to explore horticulture, irrigation, greenhouse operations, sustainable land management and related career pathways.
A central part of the project is student-led learning. Students in the CAIS Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program, CAIS Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Oregon City High School Construction Program will work alongside licensed industry professionals and labor partners on real construction and infrastructure projects. The experience will connect classroom learning to project planning, budgeting, safety, communication, problem-solving and technical skills used in the workplace.
“The Agricultural Land Lab is truly an embodiment of what can happen when education, industry, and community come together around a shared vision for students. This project creates a unique opportunity to bring CTE programs from across our district together to help design, build, grow, and sustain a space where learning extends far beyond the classroom. More than a land lab, we envision this becoming a place of connection—strengthening ties between our schools, industry partners, and community while giving students authentic, hands-on experiences that prepare them for their futures. It is an incredible example of what is possible when we work together to create opportunities for students and build something that benefits the entire community.”
Angie Gilbert, OCSD School-To-Career TOSA
The Land Lab will create multiple entry points into career exploration in construction, carpentry, plumbing, manufacturing, horticulture, irrigation, greenhouse management and sustainable land management. The work will be aligned with industry standards, OSHA-aligned safety instruction, apprenticeship readiness and postsecondary opportunities, including connections with Clackamas Community College.
“The Revitalization Grant will expand our investment in expanding CTE opportunities and provide relevant work based learning opportunities for our students to work alongside partners and create a generational project to support all Oregon City students!”
Mike Stead, OCSD CTE Programs Administrator
The initiative is also designed to expand access for students who have historically been underrepresented in skilled trades and agricultural education. The district will provide support such as bilingual family outreach, career exploration events, transportation coordination when needed, required safety gear and tools at no cost to students, mentoring with industry and labor professionals, and career navigation connected to apprenticeships, college programs and employment.
District partners include Clackamas Community College, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, Oregon State Extension, the National Association for the Remodeling Industry, the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, UA Local 290 Plumbers & Pipefitters, local labor partners, the Oregon City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Home Builders Foundation and the local FFA chapter.
The Oregon Department of Education’s CTE Revitalization Grant supports expanded, high-quality career-connected learning experiences that prepare Oregon students for postsecondary education and in-demand careers. The state’s award list identifies Oregon City School District’s Agricultural & Skilled Trades Collaborative Land Lab Initiative as a funded 2025–27 project.