LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet)
LEAP is a revolutionary humane education program providing high school aged students across the nation with a compassionate alternative to traditional agriculture programs like 4H and FFA.
A comprehensive 4-year program taught by participating farm animal sanctuaries, LEAP combines interactive curriculum modules with hands-on learning activities, leadership training, and real-world skill development. LEAP aims to prepare the next generation of change makers to tackle the challenges of animal cruelty, climate change, food deserts, and habitat loss, and encourages them to devise solutions for a more compassionate, sustainable food system.
At the end of the student’s completed year with LEAP, they will have the ability to apply for competitive scholarships of $500 or $1000 to go toward college or career training. We offer these scholarships to encourage initiative, leadership, hard work, and believe it is imperative that we show students they can earn money for education by HELPING animals rather than exploiting them for money by selling them for slaughter like in traditional agricultural programs.
How to Apply
You can apply starting July for the 2025-2026 program.
Instructions: To Apply Click Here
- Step 1: Select your LEAP Hub
- Be sure to choose Solano County and Herd & Flock as your Hub
- Step 2: Submit your Waiver and Application
- Read the conduct guidelines and liability waiver
- Then fill out the application
July 1, 2025: Application submissions begin
August 31, 2025*: Application deadline at midnight
September 3, 2025: Acceptance notifications sent out
September 13, 2025 – May 9, 2026: 9 hours each month
- 2nd Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 5 hours
- Plus 4 service hours each month to be scheduled individually
Have more questions or *missed the deadline? Reach out to us via info@herdandflockanimalsanctuary.org.
Thank you for your interest in participating in LEAP!
LEAP provides education and training for high school students in the areas of:
- hands-on, compassionate animal care
- food and agricultural systems
- leadership development
- wildlife and habitat conservation
- farmed animal welfare
- human health supported by a vegan diet
- the intersection of human and animal rights
- climate change solutions
- social emotional learning
- ocean conservation
- food deserts and food insecurity
- domestic animal care and community outreach
LEAP Curriculum Overview
- Students will gather with their local LEAP chapter for monthly classroom lessons and will learn from experts in various animal and environmentally related fields. Each year of the program, we will focus on certain topics, such as the ethics of eating, climate change and eco anxiety, farmed animal welfare, and the challenges and solutions related to these topics.
- Students attend hands-on workshops at local sanctuaries or other participating organizations to participate in activities such as animal care, rewilding projects, habitat clean-up, veterinary demonstrations, community gardening, vegan cooking classes, and more.
- LEAPers participate in service hours each month ranging from assisting with sanctuary tours and events, helping with public outreach and education, serving at community wellness clinics, cleaning habitats and caring for animals, assisting with local re-wilding projects and wildlife habitat clean-up, gardening, and helping with other projects of interest to them at their local sanctuary or in their communities.
What sets LEAP apart from other agricultural programs?
LEAPers will have many of the same opportunities that other agriculture programs offer – working with other LEAPers from around the region, participating in local events, learning from experts and mentors, receiving financial compensation for their work, and, of course, spending time with the animals–but without the financial and emotional burden of raising and showing a slaughter-bound animal.
What makes a great LEAPer?
- Candidates for the LEAP program understand the social responsibility they have as the next generation of leaders, and want to make a difference in their communities. They are ready and eager for leadership training and have a desire to change the current system for animals, human health, and the planet.
- They are students who are already enrolled in or interested in joining an agricultural learning program but do not feel that the primary offerings are right for them or aligned with their values.
- They are interested in the outdoors, physical learning, community involvement, connecting with animals, healthy eating, human and animal rights, food systems, and caring for our environment.
Solano County High School Students:
