All posts in Ecological Farming
Now Available: “Understanding the Science Behind Climate Smart Agriculture in California: A comprehensive literature review”
As part of CAFF’s Ecological Farming Program, we collaborate with farmers to implement and better understand ecologically-based farming practices, which include climate smart farming and soil health practices. Climate smart […]
BIFS Field Day: Cover Cropping and Livestock Grazing for Regenerative Viticulture
On December 5th, the Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) held a field day at the LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard in Acampo, CA. The surprisingly warm weather attracted a […]
Exploring Direct to Consumer Markets at Tenderly Rooted Farm Field Day
On October 5th, attendees gathered at Riverwood Farm in Biggs, California to listen to Kaben Kramer of Tenderly Rooted tell his story of creating a Direct to Consumer market for […]
CRECE Urban Farm Collective, Spreadwing Farm, and CAFF’s Dave Runsten podcast episode
In this episode we delve into all things on-farm composting, from its production to its use and relevant agricultural policies. We hear from Abel Ruiz at CRECE Farming Collective in […]
Cover Crops in Orchards case study
Do you want to learn more about the ins and outs of planting and managing cover crops from growers with cover crop experience? Check out our Cover Crops in Orchards […]
Lopes Family Farm Field Day: Integrated rice and duck farming
On June 29th, Lopes Family Farms hosted a field day with Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) in Princeton, CA focused on rice and duck farming, a Biologically Integrated Farming […]
No-Till News: An Update on CAFF’s Biointensive No-Till Project
CAFF’s Biointensive No-Till Project is an on-farm demonstration project partnering with small, diversified vegetable farms in Northern California who are committed to minimizing tillage and interested in learning about how […]
BIOS Field Day at Locke Ranch
The Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) held a Biologically Integrated Orchard System (BIOS) field day at Locke Ranch on May 23rd. Attendees were treated to a walk through the […]
Farmers Beet Podcast on Integrated Crop Livestock Systems with Eatwell Farm – Dixon and Pasture42 – Guinda
In this episode, we learn about integrated crop livestock management from two Northern California Farms. First, we hear from Lorraine Walker of Eatwell Farm in Dixon, CA, where they incorporate […]
BIOS Field Day at Chinchiolo Farms
The Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) held a Biologically Integrated Orchard System (BIOS) field day at Chinchiolo Farms on April 20th. After a very wet winter, attendees enjoyed the […]
BIOS Field Day: FoamStream Demo and Talking Organic Weed Management
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) hosted a Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) field day on November 30th in Clements, CA. Farmer Alicia Lewis-Rikkonen arranged a demonstration of a novel […]
Talking Integrated Pest Management at Blossom Farms
The Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) hosted our fourth Biologically Integrated Orchard System (BIOS) field day, titled “Effective IPM Strategies for Major Walnut Pests,” at Blossom Farms on July […]
BIOS Field Day at Unruh Farms
In continuing to promote the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) held its third field day event hosted at Unruh Farms located in Princeton, […]
5 Key Wildfire Resilience Practices
It’s not always obvious that some of the ecological farming practices used frequently by farmers, also provide wildfire protection and recovery benefits. Check out the infographic below which was developed […]
Spreadwing Farm: Compost on a Diversified Small Farm
Spreadwing Farm, located in the Capay Valley, utilizes compost in their vegetable crops to improve the quality of the soil and provide plant available nutrients. Learn more about the benefits, […]
Grazing Sheep in Vineyards case study with Pennyroyal Farm
As part of our work in Ecological Farming and more broadly as an organization, CAFF aims to share stories of California growers and ranchers and the incredible work they do […]
Evaluating your Irrigation System with the Mobile Irrigation Lab (video + Q&A)
Looking to learn how to maintain your micro irrigation system for better irrigation efficiency? Learn more with Kevin Greer, Manager of the Tehama County RCD’s Mobile Irrigation Lab. Read below […]
BIOS Field day River Garden Farms
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) hosted our second Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) field day at River Garden Farms on November 30th, 2021 titled “Cover Cropping, Sanitation and […]
No-Till News: An Update on CAFF’s Biointensive No-Till Project
Since 2017, CAFF’s Ecological Farming team has been conducting an on-farm demonstration project in collaboration with California no-till farmers to better understand small-scale biointensive no-till farming’s effect on soil health. […]
Technical Assistance for the Healthy Soils Program!
Are you interested in implementing cover crops, compost, mulch, hedgerows and other Healthy Soils practices on your farm? The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering 3 year […]
CAFF kicks off BIOS program with event promoting sustainable nut orchards
The first Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) event on “Impacts of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts” was held in Linden at the Anderson-Barngrover Ranch on Friday August 27th. […]
Getting the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) demonstration project off the ground!
The BIOS project is underway! CAFF’s Ecological Farming team has been busy the past several weeks setting up the Biologically Integrated Orchards Systems (BIOS) project at six demonstration sites located […]
On Farm Composting Video
This video explores on-farm composting, including a brief overview of California’s new best management practices mandate for on-farm composting as well as the food safety and organic requirements. Hear from […]
Integrating Sheep into Walnuts: a case study on Sierra Orchards
Want to find out more about the benefits and tradeoffs of integrating sheep into orchard systems? Check out our newest case study on Sierra Orchards of Winters, CA. Sean McNamara […]
Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) for Almonds guide
The Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project was a collaboration between CAFF, farmers, pest control and crop advisors, and the UC Cooperative Extension in the 1990s and early 2000s. BIOS […]
CAFF’s Cover Crop Decision Guides
We’re excited to share two new resources for growers: our Cover Crop Decision Guide for Perennial Systems and Cover Crop Decision Guide for Annual Systems created in collaboration with […]
Did you receive a Healthy Soils Incentives grant?
CAFF is offering technical assistance to growers and ranchers to help implement Healthy Soils practices on-farm! We can help: Provide advice on how to implement cover cropping, no-till and reduced […]
Covercrops for California Agriculture
For many agricultural soils, cover crops offer the only means of supplying the organic matter needed to keep the soil in a high state of productivity. Learn how to select […]
Hedgerows & Farmscaping for California Agriculture guide now available for download
CAFF’s in-depth manual will help you choose and care for regionally appropriate plants that attract beneficial insects and prevent erosion. This publication is an updated revision of the original, 2004, […]
California Invests in Transition to Ecological Walnut Production
In a move to help walnut growers shift towards safer, more sustainable pest management practices, this week the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) awarded a $1 million grant […]
CAFF’S On-Farm Occultation Research Report
Research and recommendations on occultation Building on our work in biointensive no-till systems, CAFF’s Climate Smart Farming team launched a research trial on California vegetable farms on a related practice […]
CAFF’s Ecological Farming Program
Since 2017, CAFF’s Climate Smart Farming program has worked closely with farmers, researchers and technical assistance providers to investigate and promote climate smart farming practices through on-farm research and demonstration […]
New Funding: Soil Health Management in Orchards
Financial & technical assistance available through participating in On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials with the East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District! View below or download the application here.
State Water Resources Control Board Limits Regulation of On-Farm Composting
(Updated 4/15/20) The State Water Resources Control Board’s Compost General Order that passed in 2015 presented a regulatory obstacle for on-farm composting, despite the state’s efforts to reduce waste and […]
California Okays On-Farm Compost, Key to Sustainable Agriculture
Sacramento, CA – After more than five years of negotiations, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a historic decision to allow for much-needed composting on California farms. “Farmers can […]
Technical Assistance for the Healthy Soils Program
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE HEALTHY SOILS PROGRAM Are you interested in implementing cover crops, compost, hedgerows and other Healthy Soils practices on you farm? The California Department of Food and […]
Integrating Livestock & Crops: Improving Soil, Solving Problems, Increasing Income
An introductory bulletin covering benefits and considerations of livestock-crop integration, including further reading resources. From the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).
Biodiversity: What it is, and How to Increase it on your Farm
This brochure was developed by the Wild Farm Alliance and CAFF defines Biodiversity as it relates to agriculture, and describes specific practices that farmers can implement to conserve biodiversity on […]
Cover Crops for Walnut Orchards
Walnut orchards present unique challenges to the successful use of cover crops. These include short time between harvest and leaf fall for establishing the cover crop…
Compost: What Does the Research Say?
Composting plant materials and manure offers a practical way to recycle crop residue and animal waste. The process of decomposition of these materials is sped up to provide a […]
Managing Cover Crops Profitably
SARE’s publication is available free for download and is a comprehensive and practical resource with recommended species by U.S. region, a section on management in conservation tillage systems, soil fertility, […]
Integrating Livestock into a Cropping System for Sustainability & Soil Health
USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center View this webinar to learn how the Small Angus Ranch in Burleigh County, North Dakota, is working toward the goals stated in the […]
Grazing Cover Crops
How to manage livestock with adaptive grazing on cover cropped land, from the Wallace Center. The use of cover crops in row crop farming is becoming increasingly popular. According to […]
Cover Cropping in Vineyards
The use of cover crops can yield substantial benefits or be the source of unforeseen problems or drawbacks. The choice of which species to sow, as well as the decision […]
How to Add Compost on Your Small Farm
Compost provides nutrients to plants, improves soil structure, increases water holding capacity, and suppresses root diseases by supporting benefi cial microorganisms in the soil. It also helps improve porosity and […]
Farming with Food Safety and Conservation
Food-borne illness linked to pathogens in meat, processed food, and produce has led to increased attention to food safety issues at all points along the supply chain, including the farm. […]
Building Soils for Better Crops
Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management, now expanded and in full color. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth […]
Cover Crop Economics
When it comes to making the big decisions about managing a farm, whether it’s to grow a new crop, buy an expensive piece of equipment or upgrade infrastructure, farmers are business people […]
Biodiversidad: ¿Que es? Cómo Incrementarla En Su Rancho
Biodiversidad (o diversidad biológica) es la variedad de vida. La biodiversidad comprende toda forma de vida, desde bacterias y hongos hasta pastos, helechos, insectos, y mamíferos. Más que eso, cubre […]
Compost Use in Agriculture: Organic Materials Management
Use of composted manures and plant materials in farming has a history almost as long as farming itself. California farmers enjoy access to high-quality compost and mulch products from a variety of […]
Wildfire & Rangeland Management: Mediating Impacts to Conservation & Ranching
A series of presentations from California ranchers, technical advisors, and researchers on wildfire risk management in rangelands. From the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition.
Integrating Livestock and Crops
Traditional farms relied on livestock to maintain soil fertility and to use plant material that would otherwise have been wasted. Modern agriculture has tended to favor specialization, leading to large […]
Cover Crops Database
Cover crops can be broadly defined as any non-cash crop grown in addition to the primary cash crop. They have the potential to increase soil organic matter (SOM), protect the […]
Hedgerows: Benefits to Farmers, Benefits to wildlife
A short guide to hedgerow design, installation, and maintenance. Prepared by the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County and CAFF.
Sheep Grazing to Manage Crop Residues, Insects and Weeds
Recommendations for timing of grazing, stocking rates, animal selection, and more for purposes including weed and crop residue management in Northern Plains Grain and Alfalfa Systems.
Hedgerows: Enhancing Agroecological Services
Hedgerows are linear assemblages of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses densely planted along the borders of fields. Hedgerows provide multiple services including windbreak, erosion control, restoration of biodiversity, pollination, and […]
Extending Hedgerow Systems in California Agriculture
When modern agriculture replaces natural habitat with crops, risks rise for soil erosion and runoff that can reduce water quality and its attendant impacts. Likewise, dust from farming activities can […]
Compost Science Webinar
Originally aired March 8, 2017 | Composting is both an art and a science. For some, composting is a passion and an emotional experience, but often when we start thinking […]
Soil My Undies Challenge: Skivvies & Soil Health
Healthy soil means hungry soil. With proper management, the ground beneath your crops should teem with millions of tiny lifeforms—bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, earthworms—all busy transferring nutrients, eating and […]
Hedgerow Farms Case Study
John Anderson’s love of wildlife and concern about disappearing wildlife habitats is what drove him to become a farmer. He and his wife Marsha bought their Yolo County farm in […]
California Farmers Climate Pledge
As California farmers and ranchers, our livelihoods as well as the ability to feed America entirely depends on the climate. Working close to Nature, we are the first to notice […]
Agricultural Composting & Water Quality
Composting, a controlled process for stabilization of organic matter, can turn waste into a valuable soil amendment. Creating compost from waste materials provides an opportunity to return nutrients and organic […]