African American Farming Practices & Farm to Market 101
2023-12-02 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | AAFC Demonstration Farm, 7160 W California Ave, Fresno, CA, 93706, United States
Join us as we celebrate the richness of African American Farming traditions with farmers at the African American Farmers of California (AAFC) Demonstration Farm Site in Fresno.
During this workshop, participants will learn from farmers about specific Fall and Winter crops, their cultivation practices and some recipes specific to the African American community utilizing the harvest.
In addition, we will provide a base level understanding of Farm to Market 101 for beginning farmers and farmers in the making. Farm to Market 101 covers the 5 most commonly used markets by small/family scale farmers and best practices for successful use/access to them.
This includes: Farmers Markets, Community Supported Agriculture, Selling Direct to Wholesale, Selling to Direct to Retail and Selling Direct to Schools/School Districts.
We look forward to seeing you and learning together in community with you soon!

Cover Cropping and Livestock Grazing for Regenerative Viticulture
2023-12-05 10:00 - 13:00 | LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard, Acampo, CA, United States
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) invites you to a free, in-person event with the LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard in Acampo, CA. We will discuss cover cropping and integrated livestock grazing in vineyards as part of a systems approach to land management.
Kendra Altnow and Maria Zumkeller with LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard will talk about Project Terra, their collection of initiatives that demonstrate and communicate the positive impact of regenerative agriculture using systems approach principles. They will share their experience with cover cropping and integrated sheep grazing, and the considerations to have when planning and implementing these practices. We will also hear from their partners and how important collaboration is to farming regeneratively.
Speakers:
Kendra Altnow, Sustainability Manager at LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard
Maria Zumkeller, Technical Vineyard Manager at LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard
Chris Storm, PCA with Starr and Storm Crop Solutions
Ross Mulrooney, Valley Grazing
Bonnie Eyestone, Working Lands Conservation Director at Pt. Blue
Tommy Fenster, Researcher with the Gaudin Lab at UC Davis
Additional resources from:
Kamprath Seeds, NRCS, Lodi Rules
Details:
1 hour of INMP CEUs available
This event is at the LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard in Acampo, CA. The exact coordinates to meet are here.

Lunch will be provided.
We will be outdoors, so please make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and dress for potential rain.

Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE): Information for Food Hubs Webinar
2023-12-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Are you a food hub that handles certified-organic products?
Join us for an informal webinar on Wednesday, December 6th, 12-1pm to learn more about the new organic rule, Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE), and how it may affect your food hub operation. We’ll be joined by representatives from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), who will share basic information about SOE and answer questions from attendees (food hub operators).
Register for the webinar HERE.
What is SOE?
SOE is a regulation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). SOE amends the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations by strengthening oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic agricultural products. SOE protects integrity in the organic supply chain and builds consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic control systems, improving farm to market traceability, and providing robust enforcement of the USDA organic regulations.
Why does SOE matter to my food hub?
SOE is the biggest change in organic rules since 2002. The National Organic Program (NOP) is narrowing the criteria for operations that are exempt from organic certification. If you are non-exempt, you will need to apply for an organic handling certificate, which can take at least 3 months. If you are exempt, you may need to take steps to properly handle certified organic products. The deadline for compliance with SOE is March 19, 2024.
Why should I attend the webinar?
We’re offering a unique opportunity to ask any questions you may have about SOE to CCOF, an organic certifying agency, and learn from other food hubs in attendance. We’re expecting a small group of food hubs and plenty of time for Q&A.
What will I learn at the webinar?

Basic information about the SOE rule
Information that will help you determine whether your food hub is exempt or non-exempt (in other words, whether your food hub needs to get organic handling certification)
How to apply for organic certification if you are non-exempt
Actions you may need to take if you are handling certified organic products but are exempt
Pricing for organic certification, including discounted options
How to access resources about SOE and organic certification

Who should attend the webinar?
This webinar is intended for food hub managers and operators and will have information about organic handling regulations. The focus of this session is to offer food hub-specific information and give food hubs an opportunity to ask questions directly to an organic certifying agency.
This webinar is organized by: CA Food Hub Network at University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)
Note: UC SAREP and CAFF are not organic regulators or certifiers, but rather provide educational information and resources on the topic of SOE.
Questions about the webinar?
Contact Alicia Baddorf, CA Food Hub Network coordinator
akbaddorf@ucanr.edu | 530-786-0571

Scaling Up for Wholesale
2023-12-07 10:00 - 14:00 | North Coast Growers Association Farmers’ Market, 5720 West End Rd Building #2, Arcata, CA, 95521, United States
Join us in this workshop that we are putting together in collaboration with the North Coast Growers Association. It’s an ideal opportunity for farmers who are in their first 3-5 years of farming and are interested in scaling up their production to be able to sell wholesale through the Harvest Hub or directly to wholesale buyers.
-Agenda-
Wholesale Basics : Josefina from CAFF will give an overview of the pros and cons of wholesale so you can determine if this is right for your business
Meet Your Buyers : Megan from NCGA and Christine from Humboldt Soup Company/The Hood will share the expectations that many wholesale buyers have when working with local farmers
Panel : Local farmers will share their journey of including wholesale in their business model
-Lunch Break (lunch will be provided)-
Determining Wholesale Prices : Learn some tips on how to price your wholesale items vs your direct sale items
Please RSVP by clicking the button below so we get a head count for lunch and are able to accommodate your dietary restrictions.
Please RSVP Here

Food Safety Field Day / Día de campo sobre inocuidad alimentaria
2023-12-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Vivian Hwang Farm, 4446 S Elm Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93706, United States
Join Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) for a free, in-person food safety field day with Vivian Hwang Farm in Fresno, CA. We will discuss and demonstrate how to implement requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule (FSMA PSR). Topics and demonstrations include water testing, employee training, cleaning and sanitizing equipment and recordkeeping.
Details:

Lunch is provided
This event will be in Spanish, Hmong and English, and interpretation will be provided for attendees. Spanish interpretation provided by Linguistica Interpreting and Translation, LLC.
Space is limited, so please register by Wednesday, December 6th to secure your spot.
We will be walking and standing for most of the event, so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for sun and heat.

For more information, contact Grace Perry, CAFF’s Organic Certification Specialist: grace[at]caff.org, 404.405.7933.

Unase a Alianza Comunitaria con Pequeños Agricultores (CAFF por sus siglas en Inglés) en un dia de campo sobre la seguridad alimentaria en la granja. Aprenda sobre la implementación de los Estándares para el cultivo, cosecha, empaque, y almacenamiento de los productos agrícolas frescos para el consumo humano (FSMA PSR por sus siglas en Inglés). Vivian Hwang nos dará un recorrido por su granja y discutirá las prácticas de seguridad alimentaria de su granja. El evento va tocar sobre los temas de pruebas de agua, entrenamiento para sus empleados, limpieza, desinfección, y mantenimiento de registros. Habrá demostraciones de los temas.
Detalles:

Almuerzo incluido
Este evento será en español, hmong, e ingles. Se ofrece interpretación para los que asisten. Interpretación al español por Linguistica Interpreting and Translation, LLC.
El espacio es limitado, así que registrarse antes del miércoles 6 de Diciembre para asegurar su lugar.
Caminaremos y estaremos de pie durante la mayor parte del evento, asi que asegúrese de usar zapatos cómodos y vestirse para el sol y el calor.

Para más información, póngase en contacto con Grace Perry: grace[at]caff.org, 404.405.7933.

Value-Added Producer Grant Scholarship Webinar
2024-01-09 16:00 - 17:30 | CA
Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, January 9th from 4:00-5:30pm to learn about the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant program and how to apply for the CAFF VAPG scholarship program.
Register for the webinar HERE
Do you sell your produce as organic, local, free range, grass fed, etc. OR make a value-added product from your produce? Are you interested in exploring the feasibility of doing so? The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) provides funding to farmers (and other qualified stakeholders) that can be used towards producing a value-added product.
CAFF is reopening our VAPG scholarship program to help support farmers with VAPG applications. The scholarship offsets the cost of one-on-one grant writing with Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy, Inc. If awarded, farmers will work with Ellen to plan out an eligible project, construct a fundable budget for up to $49,998 worth of government funding, and write a complete grant application.

The first 30 people that register for the event will also receive a free annual membership to Farm Common’s membership – valued at $99! The Farm Commons portal offers access to loads of legal education resources and interactive discussion boards. They also have resources related to value added product legal education.

Note: By signing up for this webinar you will be added to the email list of Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy, Inc. You can opt out of emails at any time.

Healthy Soils Program Info Session
2024-01-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering Healthy Soils Incentives Grants through the Healthy Soils Program (HSP).
HSP grants promote the development of healthy soils on California’s farmlands and ranchlands, providing financial incentives through reimbursements paid directly to California growers and ranchers to implement conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gasses, and improve soil health.
The application period is open from January 22nd – February 9th, 2024.
JOIN THE ZOOM SESSION

Healthy Soils Program Information Session
2024-01-16 14:00 - 16:00 | CA
CAFF invites you to a free informational webinar on January 16th from 2-4pm to learn about the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) 2024 Healthy Soils Program. The Healthy Soils Program provides incentives grants to California farmers and ranchers to implement Healthy Soils Practices. The application period will be open January 22nd through February 9th, or until the funding runs out. We welcome all farmers and ranchers who are interested in applying, want to learn more or have questions about the application. For those who cannot attend, the webinar will be recorded.
Please click here to register for and join the webinar session.

Sesión Informativa del Programa de Suelos Saludables
2024-01-17 16:00 - 17:30 | CA
¡Venga aprender sobre las Subvenciones a través del programa de Suelos Saludables (HSP) ofrecido por El Departamento de Alimentación y Agricultura de California (CDFA). Se otorgarán subvenciones de hasta $100,000 en forma de reembolsos directos a agricultores y ganaderos de California para implementar prácticas que mejoren la salud del suelo. El periodo de solicitud es solo tres semanas, del 22 de Enero al 9 de Febrero ¡así que prepárese con los documentos de su solicitud! Dalia Rodriguez, coordinadora con CAFF, tendrá una sesión informativa por zoom el 17 de Enero de 4 a 5:30 de la tarde.
Únase a la sesión con este enlace
Familiarícese con las preguntas de la solicitud aquí:
Vista previa de las preguntas de la solicitud para HSP 2024 (Español)
Si tiene preguntas, por favor de contactar a Dalia Rodriguez por correo electrónico dalia@caff.org o por teléfono (323) 423-4075
¡Gracias!

CA Small Farm Conference
2024-02-26 - 2024-03-01 | Online & In-Person (various locations)
The 36th annual California Small Farm Conference is a week of learning, inspiration and movement-building. Our hybrid conference features 60 online workshops, interactive forums, and in-person gatherings around the state. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, new to agriculture or just an advocate for local food, there’s something for you.

Direct to Consumer Webinar series: Creating a Strong Online Presence for Your Farm with Instagram
2024-02-27 08:00 - 09:45 | Zoom
This webinar is part of the California Small Farm Conference, please register for the conference to attend
In today’s digital age, creating a robust online presence is essential for farmers looking to connect with their audience, promote their products, and grow their businesses. Instagram, with its visual appeal and vast user base, presents a unique opportunity for farmers to showcase their farms, products, and stories.
In this workshop, Liset Garcia from Sweet Girl Farms will share her experience and success using Instagram to create a strong customer base. Sweet Girl Farms has over 5,000 followers on the platform and has earned Liset multiple awards and recognitions, including the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Reedley Chamber of Commerce in 2021. This workshop is designed for farmers and agricultural businesses looking to leverage Instagram to boost their online visibility, connect with customers, and increase sales.
Liset Garcia is the founder, operator and farmer of Sweet Girl Farms in Reedley. You can find her on Instagram at @sweetgirlfarms

2024 California Farm Champions Awards Ceremony
2024-02-28 18:15 - 18:45 | Zoom
Every year, our community recognizes amazing farms, individuals and local businesses making a difference in our food system. Selected from hundreds of nominations by people like you, the 2024 California Farm Champions are blazing trails, giving back, and helping promote a healthier, more regenerative and more just world.
Join us for the awards ceremony as we travel all across the state, visiting this year’s honorees.
This ceremony will also feature an introduction by California’s First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom!
New Farmer: Chris Fields, Fields Family Farm
Legacy Farmer: Janet Czarnecki, Redwood Roots Farm
Climate Smart Farmer: Sarah Silva, Green Star Farm
Farm Advocate: Mireya Gomez-Contras, Esperanza Community Farms
Farm Policy Advocate: Assemblymember Bennett
Farmers Market Champion: Erin Tormey, Coastside Farmers Markets
Food Business: Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co

CSFC Ventura County Gathering: Habitat, Beneficials & Healthy Soils to Optimize Production
2024-02-29 08:30 - 13:00 | King & King Ranch, 684 E. Guiberson Rd, Fillmore, California, 93015, United States
Join Wild Farm Alliance at King & King Ranch in Fillmore for an informative morning showcasing practices in avocados and citrus that support natural enemy insects, pollinators and beneficial birds for pest control. The event will feature a bird and habitat walk, a series of talks given by growers, researchers, and professionals, and a tour of a newly planted hedgerow.

CSFC Los Angeles Gathering
2024-02-29 10:00 - 14:00 | Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave, Sylmar, CA, 91342, United States
Draft Agenda:
10 -11:00 am – Arrival and student led tour of Sylmar High School student farm and cafeteria.
11 am – 12 pm – LAUSD farm and food hub supplier fair with farmers market booths and students
12 – 1:15 pm – Lunch and featured speaker discussion panel
1:15 – 1:50pm – Small Farm Conference Award Ceremony
1:50 – 2:00pm – Closing

SFC Humboldt Regional Gathering
2024-02-29 12:00 - 19:00 | CA
Field Day & Farmer Gathering: Feb. 29th, 2024

As a local component to CAFF‘s annual Small Farm Conference, NCGA, CAFF, and UCCE are co-hosting a series of workshops and a farmer gathering on Thursday, February 29th.
Field day agenda:
Noon – Arrival & Intro Crazy River Ranch located at 981 Riverside Rd Korbel CA
12:15 pm – Overview of high-density apple system (Brett McFarland, Crazy River Ranch)
12:45 pm – Organic management for common apple diseases (Eddie Tanner, UCCE)
1:15 pm – Walk to Earthly Edibles farm next door
1:25 pm – Discuss tractor & hand cultivation tools (Ed Cohen, Earthly Edibles Farm & Eddie Tanner, UCCE)
2:00 pm – Return to Crazy River
2:10 pm – Livestock forage stocking & nutrition basics (Jeff Stackhouse, UCCE)
2:45 pm – Head to the NCGA Harvest Hub for Small Farm Conference Gathering at 5720 West End Rd, Building #2 Arcata, CA
Farmer Gathering:
Farmers and local food advocates are invited to the North Coast Growers Association’s Harvest Hub to mix, mingle, and enjoy food and drinks as a culminating event to this year’s California Small Farm Conference. Field day and/or public viewings of select workshops may be added to the lineup. Stay tuned for more information.
Gathering brought to you by CAFF, North Coast Growers Association and Humboldt/Del Norte UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

REGISTER HERE

CSFC North Bay Gathering
2024-02-29 13:00 - 18:00 | Shone Farm, 7450 Steve Olson Ln., Forestville, CA, 95436, United States
Join us at Shone Farm for an afternoon of workshops, farm tours, and in-person mixers as we conclude this year’s California Small Farm Conference for the whole North Bay community. This is event is free and open to anyone involved in our small farm community.
SESSION ONE: 1 – 2:15 pm
Shone Farm Tour #1
Join us for a tour of SRJC’s Shone Farm, a 365-acre outdoor learning laboratory, ranked #1 in the Nation for College Farms. The property includes 120 acres of forest, 100 acres of pasture, 90 acres of vineyard, 12 acres for crop production, 4 acres of olive and apple trees, as well as greenhouses, packing sheds and more! Meet in the lobby of Dutton Pavillion. (Note: Farm tour will be repeated at 4pm)
Small-scale Vineyards
Come learn about growing a wine grapes at a smaller scale. We’ll cover basic vineyard maintenance, climate-adaptive viticulture, do-or-die vineyard pests, and best practices for a sustainable vineyard. The talk will be directed toward beginner to intermediate vineyard operators and address foundational principles of small vineyard management for a healthy and sustainable vineyard. Dutton Pavillion: Classroom 1
Culinary Gardening: Wineries, Restaurants & Estates
In this panel discussion, hear from three farmers who are managing culinary gardens in the North Bay, and examine how “culinary gardening” differs from “market farming,” the unique constraints and opportunities of culinary gardening, how these three models function, and how to get into the business of culinary gardening. Featuring: Jess Arnsteen of Long Meadow Ranch, Teresa Kao of The French Laundry Garden, and Jacob Tracy of the CIA Copia Grove Garden. Dutton Pavillion: Classroom 2
SESSION TWO: 2:30 – 3:45
Soil Testing
Learn how to navigate soil testing options and choose the right test to meet your goal. We will answer questions like, “what are my options for assessing soil health on my farm?” “How do I tell if my soil health practices are having any effects on the soil?” We will cover practical considerations such as cost, time, and equipment. Enter a raffle to win a soil sampling probe! Ellie Andrews, Specialty Crops Advisor, UCCE. Dutton Pavilion: Classroom 1
On-Farm Water
Come learn about irrigation, wells and water storage. More details coming soon. Dutton Pavilion: Classroom2
SESSION THREE: 4 – 5pm
Shone Farm Tour #2
Join us for a tour of SRJC’s Shone Farm, a 365-acre outdoor learning laboratory, ranked #1 in the Nation for College Farms. The property includes 120 acres of forest, 100 acres of pasture, 90 acres of vineyard, 12 acres for crop production, 4 acres of olive and apple trees, as well as greenhouses, packing sheds and more! Meet in the lobby of Dutton Pavilion. (Note: Farm tour will be repeated at 1pm)
Pollinator Habitat on Your Farm or Ranch
Learn how you can help native pollinators, including monarch butterflies, by implementing habitat management techniques into your farming and ranching practices, all while benefiting crop production, soil health and natural pest management. We’ll explore native host and foraging plants and how to manage these plants at various times during the year, along with several resources that provide free regionally native seeds, plants and technical assistance for land managers. Dutton Pavilion: Classroom 1
Happy Hour Mixer: 5pm – 7
Join us for food, drinks and mixing with fellow conference-goers as well as with local organizations working to provide support to small farms in the North Bay.

CSFC Ventura County Gathering Part 2: Gathering at McGrath Family Farm
2024-02-29 13:30 - 16:30 | McGrath Family Farm, 1012 W Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, CA, 93010, United States
McGrath Family Farm encompasses a 300-acre working agricultural estate, comprising various specialty micro-farms such as Baby Root Farm, Exit Central, The living System, and The Rodale Institute. At McGrath Family Farm, you will observe soil health practices in action, including cover crops, crop rotations, compost application, and the implementation of buffer strips to support pollinators and beneficial insects. The Rodale Institute team in California is dedicating its efforts to advancing sustainable agriculture by emphasizing the cultivation of vegetable crops through the adoption and promotion of reduced tillage practices.
1:30 – 2:00 pm Kick back and relax
2:30 – 4:30 pm Visit several stations around the farm that feature Rodale Institute research projects

CSFC San Diego Gathering
2024-02-29 14:00 - 17:00 | Fort Cross Family Farm, 4425 Hwy 78, Santa Ysabel, CA, 92070, United States
Join conference attendees and farmer friends in beautiful Santa Ysabel, CA for the San Diego County regional gathering hosted by Fort Cross family farm and San Diego Farmers Guild. This event will be held from 2:00pm-5:00pm on Thursday, February 29th with an optional after-party at Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza. Here is what to expect!

2:00pm- Mingling time & welcoming remarks (light snacks and refreshments provided)
2:30pm-Grafting activity! We’ll be helping the farm and learn new skills by grafting lilacs
3:00pm- Farm tour with co-owner Jesse. Learn about their nursery, veggie gardens, U-pick operation, and agritourism activities.
4:00pm – A hoedown dancing lesson to close out the event!
5:00pm – Optional: continue the mingling and walk on over to Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza to grab a bite to eat. Please note that dinner is not included.

For folks who would like to stick around and spend the night, Fort Cross can provide dry-camping spots (no amenities) at $50/night (email: fortcrossfun@gmail.com) or you can also look into local inns in the area. Please wear closed toed shoes and bring layers as winter-time in Santa Ysabel can be windy and wet. This event is dog and kid friendly. Dogs are asked to be on a leash and children must be supervised at all times.
We look forward to welcoming you to the annual San Diego regional gathering!
About Fort Cross Family Farm:
Please visit https://www.fortcross.com/ to learn more about our generous hosts!
About the San Diego Farmers Guild:
The San Diego Farmers Guild is a community of farmers and consumers who wish to support, mobilize and engage in efforts to promote practices and policies that will sustain young, independent and prosperous farmers now and in the future. Join our Facebook page!

CSFC Humboldt Gathering
2024-02-29 15:00 - 19:00 | North Coast Growers Association Harvest Hub, 5720 West End Rd, Arcata, CA, 95521, United States
Farmers and local food advocates are invited to the North Coast Growers Association’s Harvest Hub to mix, mingle, and enjoy food and drinks as a culminating event to this year’s California Small Farm Conference. Field day and/or public viewings of select workshops may be added to the lineup. Stay tuned for more information.
Gathering brought to you by CAFF, North Coast Growers Association and Humboldt/Del Norte UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

CSFC Yolo-Solano Gathering
2024-02-29 16:00 - 19:00 | UCD Student Farm and Bowley Plant Sciences Building, 1200 Ext Center Dr, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Join us at the Bowley Plant Sciences facility at UC Davis for an in-person mixer as we conclude this year’s California Small Farm Conference. This is event is free and open to anyone involved in our small farm community!
The evening will begin with a tour of the UC Davis Student Farm, followed by opening remarks and refreshments to be shared indoors. More details on the agenda will be released closer to the event.

CSFC San Joaquin Valley Gathering & Small Farm Tech Expo
2024-03-01 09:00 - 15:00 | Madera Community College, 30277 Ave 12, Madera, California, 93638, United States
Join us for an extraordinary SJV Regional Gathering. This annual event brings together farmers, community members, and supporters of family farms in the Central Valley. This year, our Regional Gathering will also shine as the 2024 edition of the Small Farm Tech Expo. Immerse yourself in a day of workshops and an exposition showcasing technology tailored for small-scale farmers. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this unique convergence of innovation and camaraderie.
Únase a nosotros para un Encuentro Regional extraordinario del Valle de San Joaquin. Este evento anual reúne a agricultores, miembros de la comunidad y partidarios de las granjas familiares en el Valle Central. Este año, nuestro Encuentro Regional también brillará como la edición 2024 de la Small Farm Tech Expo. Sumérgete en un día de talleres y una exposición que muestra tecnología adaptada a los pequeños agricultores. No pierda la oportunidad de ser parte de esta convergencia única de innovación y camaradería.
Scroll down to RSVP! / Registrese abajo!
Event Highlights / Detalles del evento

Tech Exposition: Full day of technology exhibitions for small-scale farmers, with more than 15 vendors & organizations including: BCS, Farm-ng, LiteFarm, FarmOS, Sutton Ag, GrownBy, Parabug, FarmHand tractor, Monarch, Pest Wizard, IoT4Ag, GOAT, CALSTART, AltSys Solar, California CORE and more.
Workshops: Dynamic activities and panels that showcase available technologies that improve farm efficiency.
Language Accessibility: Spanish and Hmong interpretation will be available during the entire event.
Farmer & buyer mixer / Mixer de agricultores y compradores
Farm book raffle / Sorteo de libros de granja
Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided / Se dara desayuno, almuerzo y snacks

(For free parking, please enter parking lot B through Road 30)

CSFC Central Coast Gathering
2024-03-01 17:00 - 19:15 | ALBA, 1700 Old Stage Road, Salinas, CA, United States
Join the Central Coast small farm community for a bilingual gathering at ALBA. More details about this event are coming soon!

Direct to Consumer Flower Sales Stories Webinar
2024-03-05 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
Join us to learn from Sunny Meadows Flower Farm on how their nearly 20 year old farm has successfully pursued direct to consumer avenues for some of their business revenue. They focus on flower products and ship some of them nationwide.
Sunny Meadows Flower Farm, established in Columbus Ohio in 2006, grows sustainable fresh cut flowers of the highest quality, almost year-round for the wholesale, retail, and wedding industries. They sell dahlia tubers, dried flowers, wreaths, ranunculus and anemone corms, fresh flowers (during the season) and educational resources via their online store. They ship those products nationwide in addition to selling fresh flowers directly to consumers and businesses locally.
Learn how SMFF has refined their practices over the years to diversify their income streams and connect with a wider audience of customers across the nation. The first forty registrants to the webinar will receive a free annual membership to Farm Common’s Farmers portal (https://farmcommons.org/product/producer-membership/). That’s a $99 value, for free. You’ll gain access to all sorts of legal educational resources geared specifically towards farmers.

Hen & Harvest Farm - pre-order sales, agritourism, and self-service farm stand
2024-03-12 16:00 - 17:00 | CA
Hen & Harvest Farm is a small, woman-owned regenerative farm in Turlock, California, started by Alexandria. It was created from a lifelong dream to raise food and animals in a way that works collaboratively with nature.
Alexandria will share the strategies that have been most helpful for reaching her customers and selling online. Her market channels include online ticket sales for agritourism activities, pre-ordering eggs and lamb, a self-service farm stand, and markets in her local community. Attendees will learn what software & online options Alexandria has adopted and how they benefit the management of her business.
The first forty registrants to the webinar will receive a free annual membership to Farm Common’s Farmers portal (https://farmcommons.org/product/producer-membership/). That’s a $99 value for free. You’ll gain access to all sorts of legal and educational resources geared specifically towards farmers.

Urban Agriculture Microgrant Virtual Information Session / Sesión Informativa Virtual Sobre Microsubvenciones
2024-03-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
CAFF & the Farm Service Agency will host a virtual info session for interested applicants to ask questions about the Growing Urban Agriculture Microgrant, the online application, and their farm projects. Join us on March 14th at 11:00 am PST by registering in advance at this link.

Biologically Integrated Farming Systems: Whole Orchard Nutrient Cycling and On-Farm Composting
2024-04-10 10:00 - 13:00 | CA
Join CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers) at Heartwood Farm in Linden, CA to hear farmers Franz Eilers and Emma Wade discuss making on-farm compost. Through their involvement with the Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE) Grant Program, they have implemented whole farm cycling of nutrients and carbon using orchard waste. We will also be joined by compost advisor and owner of Fulcrum Farm, Marney Blair, to give us the rundown of what compost is, why growers should apply it, how to choose a compost type, and so much more. Additional resources about the Compost Connector and other funding programs from Zero FoodPrint will also be provided.
1 hour of INMP CEUs available.
This event is at Heartwood Farm in Linden, CA. The address and directions will be provided upon registration (You will receive two confirmation emails, and the address is included in the second email).
Coffee and snacks will be provided.
This event will be outdoors, so please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat!

Symphylan Field Day
2024-05-14 10:00 | Long Meadow Ranch, 1000 Mills Lane, Saint Helena, 94574, United States
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming workshop on symphylan management. This event promises a deep dive into effective pest control strategies with insights from leading agricultural experts.
Joining us will be Jess Arnsteen, Culinary Farm Manager at Long Meadow Ranch, Jim Leap, former UC Santa Cruz Farm Manager, and Ellie Andrews from UCCE Mendocino.
Jess will share his expertise in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including detailed drone imagery that showcases the effects of symphylans on crops. Jim will contribute his extensive experience and unique anecdotes from years of symphylan management, while Ellie will outline adaptable IPM strategies, providing you with a practical toolbox to apply to your own farming practices.
Understanding and implementing ecological pest management is crucial for maintaining the health of your crops and supporting our ecosystems.
This workshop is ideal for anyone in the agricultural community looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in pest management.
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Urban Ag Farmer Gathering at Veggielution
2024-05-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Veggielution Community Farm, 647 South King Road, San Jose, CA, 95116, United States
Farmers and growers – join us for an informative session on programs and resources available through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Regional staff from both FSA and NRCS will provide presentations on federal programs and services. Urban farmers will be able to ask questions, provide feedback, and enroll in programs suitable for their work.
This event will also offer an opportunity for urban farmers and growers to connect with other farmers, growers, organizations, and the USDA’s urban agriculture committee members covering the Greater SF Bay Area. Lunch will be provided!
Day: May 14, 2024
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: Veggielution Community Farm, 647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116

A Tiered Approach to IPM: Beneficial Birds and Gopher Trapping
2024-06-03 09:00 - 11:30 | Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company, 2625 Mankas Corner Rd, Fairfield, CA, 94534, United States
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) invites you to a free, in-person event with Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company in Fairfield, CA. At this Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) field day, we will discuss key integrated pest management practices for organic and sustainable farms, including demos on how to set up songbird nest boxes and effectively use gopher traps.
Farmer and owner, Ann Fiorello Sievers, will share how Il Fiorello grows and mills olives for oil production, in addition to fruits and veggies that go into their value-added products and their bistro. They are dedicated to growing everything organically and sustainably. They compost food waste from the bistro, have many owl and bird boxes, intercrop in the orchard middles, and practice many other sustainable methods on the farm.
Dr. Roger Baldwin will cover some control techniques for burrowing rodents, including gophers and voles, such as using biological control, habitat modification, cultural practices, exclusion, and trapping. Dr. Breanna Martenico will discuss beneficial birds to control burrowing rodents as well as other pests, and how to promote more bird diversity on your farm. Dr. Baldwin will then demonstrate how to set up gopher traps, and Tom Clark will demonstrate how to install a songbird nest box. We will wrap up with a discussion of how to practically implement practices like these in order to transition to organic.
Speakers:
Ann Fiorello Sievers, Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company
Dr. Breanna Martinico, Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
Dr. Roger Baldwin, Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution Specialist, UC Cooperative Extension
Tom Clark, Consultant, Clark’s Sustainable Systems
Details:
1.5 hours of DPR CEUs applied for.
The address for the event is 2625 Mankas Corner Rd, Fairfield, CA 94534. Here is the Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.

What to Know About Wildfire and Food Safety - An Educational Webinar
2024-06-03 18:00 - 19:00 | CA
Review with us a new booklet on Fire and Food Safety we just produced with funding through the Local Food Safety Collaborative! Afterwards, participate in a discussion with agricultural producers and technical assistance providers regarding the most recent research and tools for remediation and mitigation regarding wildfire and food safety.
