2020 PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Join us on Thursday, February 27 for any number of special pre-conference events, as part of the 2020 California Small Farm Conference. Pre-conference events will be held at various locations throughout San Luis Obispo County, some free-of-charge, others ticketed, though all require an RSVP and space is limited. See below pre-conference and conference options.
FARMERS MARKET MANAGER TRAINING
The training will focus on the role of market managers, best practices to enhance your market and increase your customer counts, and will provide ample space for peer-to-peer learning. This training will be useful for both new and more experienced market managers.
San Luis Obispo Vets Hall, 11am – 5:30pm
TOUR: SMALL VINEYARD PRACTICES FOR A HOTTER, DRIER CLIMATE
Soil health principles lie at the core of management decisions that emphasize grape quality and long term resilience for small vineyards. Come learn about practices that increase water holding capacity, infiltration, microbial activity, fertility and erosion control at this exemplary local vineyard.
Tablas Creek Vineyard • Paso Robles, CA
TOUR: WEIGHING COVER CROPPING OPTIONS IN ORCHARDS
Join soil scientists and fellow farmers for a hands-on tour of the Cal Poly orchard and a conversation exploring strategies for incorporating cover crops in a orchard system, utilizing amendments such as mychorizael fungi, and how to fund the practices with programs through the CFDA and NRCS.
CalPoly • San Luis Obsipo, CA
2 – 4 pm
ORGANIC SEED PRODUCTION
Are you a farmer wanting to improve your seed production skills? Sign up for this in-depth look at the fundamental techniques of seed production, including: seed crop spacing and timing, fertility and irrigation, managing self-pollinating and cross-pollinating crops, organic disease management, and harvest, threshing, cleaning and handling basics.
Cuesta College • San Luis Obispo, CA
10 am – 4 pm
COMPOSTING SYSTEMS: FIELD DAY
FARRO, NUDE OATS, TEFF, OH MY! Farm to School Field Day
EN ESPANOL: LOS CINCO PRINCIPIOS DE LA SALUD DEL SUELO
En este taller, aprenderá los cinco principios generales de la salud del suelo que pueden restaurar y mantener las funciones de salud del suelo y mejorar la infiltración y el almacenamiento de agua en su granja.
Windrose Farm • Paso Robles, CA
SCIENCE & THE TRANSFORMATION OF AGRICULTURE
Join us for an evening with agroecologist, Dr. Jonathan Lundgren to reimagine agriculture along ecological principles guided by independent, farmer-driven research. Hear how Dr. Lundgren’s innovative approach to ag research and science can serve the regenerative movement and help farmers.
SLO Botanical Gardens • San Luis Obispo