PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The future of El Dorado County may be taking shape in an unexpected place: the ideas of local high school seniors.
The El Dorado Economic Generator and Germination Fund, known as Our EGG, has announced the winners of its Rooted to Rise Youth Essay Contest, awarding $2,500 in scholarships and incorporating the students’ proposals into a broader effort to develop a Working Lands Economic Master Plan for El Dorado County.
The initiative is part of Rooted to Rise, a community-driven planning project funded through California Jobs First’s We Prosper Together Catalyst Fund. The project seeks to create a long-term roadmap for revitalizing the county’s working lands, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening community resilience. The Rooted to Rise project received a $343,156 Catalyst Fund award through the regional We Prosper Together initiative.
Organizers say the effort comes at a pivotal moment for El Dorado County, which faces significant demographic, economic and environmental challenges.
For decades, much of the county’s economy was tied to agriculture, forestry and other land-based industries. Today, many communities are increasingly defined by retirement and commuter populations. According to project organizers, large portions of rural agricultural land remain unused while housing costs continue to rise, making it difficult for young families to remain in the area.
The challenges extend beyond economics. Unmanaged lands can contribute to hazardous fuel loads that increase wildfire risks, a concern underscored by recent disasters such as the Caldor and Mosquito fires.
“Our county is at a crossroads,” said Lauren Hernandez, co-founder of Our EGG. “We can’t keep wondering why young people are leaving if we don’t make the space to let them lead. I’ve seen planning done for the future without inviting the people who actually have to live in it. Through Rooted to Rise, we are planning with the next generation to ensure they have a reason, and a viable way, to stay rooted here.”
The contest invited students to imagine how El Dorado County could support thriving careers, businesses and communities by 2035. The scholarship program was open to high school students throughout the county and encouraged participants to explore solutions related to economic opportunity, climate resilience and community development.
Scholarship Winners
First Place — Sophia Gatlin, Oak Ridge High School
Gatlin received a $1,250 scholarship for her essay, Healing in the Hills, which proposes the creation of the Rooted Mind Wellness Retreat. Her vision centers on using El Dorado County’s natural landscapes as a foundation for mental health and wellness services.
“Our rural land is not just beautiful, it is foundational,” Gatlin wrote. “We aren’t just looking at a view; we are engaging with a restorative tool. Rooted here, in land, in purpose, and in community, we rise together.”
Second Place — Lincoln Brewer, El Dorado High School
Brewer earned a $750 scholarship for At The Source, a proposal advocating for a Rural Water and Climate Resilience Training Program. His concept focuses on creating career pathways in water science, climate adaptation and environmental technology.
“Because my community believed in its youth, I am able to believe in its future and make sure that its fertile lands stay resilient for the generations to come,” Brewer wrote.
Third Place — Grace Damico, Cottonwood School
Damico received a $500 scholarship for Homecoming: Inspiring the Next Generation. Her proposal calls for a Creative and Active Learning Campus that would integrate arts, agriculture and athletics while expanding educational opportunities for local students.
“I returned home because I believe that students here deserve the same rich opportunities as those anywhere else,” Damico wrote. “Opportunity for creativity, connection, and growth exists right here.”
A Blueprint for Action
The students’ ideas will now become part of the larger Rooted to Rise framework, which focuses on three primary goals:
- Putting land back to work through industry diversification.
- Creating pathways into quality jobs and workforce opportunities.
- Establishing policy and financing strategies capable of turning community ideas into actionable projects.
According to Our EGG, the master plan is intended to reflect community input rather than a top-down planning process.
“The heart of this project came directly from the people who live here,” Hernandez said. “It is our collective roadmap for a future where we can live, work and thrive on this land together.”
The effort aligns with the broader goals of California Jobs First, a statewide initiative designed to foster sustainable economic development, workforce growth and community resilience. The We Prosper Together collaborative spans eight counties in the Capital Region and focuses on creating inclusive economic opportunities and living-wage jobs.
The completed Working Lands Economic Master Plan is expected to be published in September. Organizers say the goal is not simply to produce a report, but to create a practical roadmap that can guide future investments, policies and workforce development efforts throughout El Dorado County.
Founded in 2025, Our EGG operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation. The organization focuses on helping communities transform local ideas into economic development strategies that support both residents and the land they depend on.
Sources: Our EGG; We Prosper Together Catalyst Fund; California Jobs First. Additional information is available at Our EGG and We Prosper Together.
