Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Declining Groundwater in Sonoma Valley: What Can We Do?
2025-05-01 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall, 126 1st Street W, Sonoma, CA, 95476, United States
Sonoma Valley residents, farmers, ranchers, and businesses must join together and take action to reverse the trend of declining groundwater. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the solution!
Join us at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall for a Community Meeting and Resource Workshop. The event will include information about current groundwater conditions and a focus on two particular Groundwater Sustainability Priority Areas of Concern. CAFF will be tabling along with local experts and organizations with additional resources and help. Spanish interpretation provided.
Please RSVP and register for free at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/declining-groundwater-in-sonoma-valley-what-can-we-do-tickets-1291622631059?aff=oddtdtcreator

Intellectual Property 101
2025-05-06 16:00 - 17:00
Title: Intellectual Property 101: Protecting Farm Innovations
Date: Monday, May 6, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM PT
Location: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)
Event Description:
Farmers are some of the most creative innovators in our food system—whether it’s a new farm tool, software, crop variety, or business brand. But how do you protect those ideas?
Join the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) for a free virtual workshop in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to learn how to safeguard your innovations.
This session is designed for small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, and participants of CAFF’s Innovation Challenge—past and present—who want to understand the basics of intellectual property (IP) and how to access free and reduced-cost support through the USPTO.
We’ll cover:
•What is the USPTO and how can it help you?
•Types of IP: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
•Why farmers and innovators should protect their IP
•How to take your first steps in securing your work
Speaker:
Christine Nelson, Regional Outreach Officer, Western Regional Outreach Office, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
✨ Whether you’ve already built a new product or are just starting to develop your idea, this session will help you understand your rights and resources.
Registration is free—reserve your spot today!

AIM Resource Fair for Producers
2025-05-27 14:00 - 17:00 | Urban Adamah, Berkeley, CA, 1151 Sixth St, Berkeley, CA, 94710, United States
Join us for an afternoon of learning, networking, and support for your food or farm business! Whether you’re a farmer, food entrepreneur, or small business owner, this event is designed to connect you with valuable technical assistance and funding opportunities and help you navigate them!
Tuesday, May 27 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Urban Adamah Berkeley, CA
2:00 – 2:30pm: Snacks, refreshments, and networking
2:30 – 3:00pm: Overview of available technical assistance providers
3:00 – 4:00pm: Stories from Elliot (GoldiesGourmet Spices) and Amanda (KMMushrooms) + Technical Assistance Q&A
4:00 – 5:00pm: Open time for questions, networking, and casual discussions
Register HERE
¡Únete a nosotros para una tarde de aprendizaje, networking y apoyo para tu negocio de alimentos o agrícola! Ya seas agricultor, emprendedor/a de alimentos o propietario/a de una pequeña empresa, este evento está diseñado para conectarte con valiosas oportunidades de asistencia técnica y financiación, y ayudarte a aprovecharlas.
Martes, 27 de mayo 14:00 – 17:00
Urban Adamah Berkeley, CA
14:00 – 14:30 Refrigerios, refrigerios y networking
14:30 – 15:00: Resumen de los proveedores de asistencia técnica disponibles
15:00 – 16:00: Historias de Elliot (GoldiesGourmet Spices)y Amanda (KMMushrooms) + Preguntas y respuestas sobre asistencia técnica
16:00 – 17:00: Tiempo libre para preguntas, networking y conversaciones informales
Registese aqui

From Ground to Field: Know Your Water, Know Your Use
2025-06-03 13:00 - 16:30 | Laura’s Apples, Laura's Apples, Sebastopol, CA, United States
Come learn about groundwater sustainability in Sonoma County and diverse strategies to help you understand water use on your farm. This workshop will introduce a handful of water-use efficiency practices that address soil moisture, irrigation efficiency and testing, plant stress, sensor and monitoring tools, and more. At the end, we’re offering a build your own DIY tensiometer activity to take home for use on your farm! Understanding local groundwater challenges and the different ways to assess water use efficiency will help set you up to better weather oncoming water challenges.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Free event, space is limited. Location to be disclosed upon registration. Español abajo.
This event is for active production farmers and specialty crop growers within the Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Basins. Find out if you are at this link.
Event partners: University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma RCD, Goldridge RCD, Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies.
This is funded in part by DWR’s URCTA Program.

Irrigation Field Day at Colombini Ranch
2025-06-04 09:00 - 12:00
Join us at Colombini Ranch in Linden for a free field day covering walnut orchard irrigation, Phytophthora management, SGMA updates, and pest control strategies. Learn from local farmers, researchers, and water district leaders. Snacks and coffee provided.

Gopher Management Field Day
2025-06-05 17:00 - 18:30 | Side Hill Citrus, 6125 Mt Pleasant Rd, Lincoln, CA, 95658, United States
Attendees will get introduced to Side Hill Citrus, a certified organic farm that grows mandarins and lemons. Rich Ferreira, the farm owner, and others working on and with the farm will describe the challenges of managing gophers. Then Dr. Roger Baldwin with UCCE will talk about control techniques for burrowing rodents, including gophers and voles and other vertebrate pests, such as using biological control, habitat modification, cultural practices, exclusion, and trapping. Dr. Baldwin will also give a demonstration of how to properly set up gopher traps.
Coffee, water, and snacks will be provided.
If you are planning to cover this event as media please reach out to us beforehand at ecologicalfarming@caff.org.

Immigration Enforcement in the Agricultural Workplace / Redadas en lugares de trabajo agrícolas
2025-06-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
Join UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety on Thursday, June 12th at 10 am to learn how leaders in the agricultural workplace can prepare and respond to immigration enforcement. The primary audience is crew leaders and frontline supervisors. The webinar will be in Spanish with simultaneous English interpretation. This webinar will not be recorded.

Acompáñenos el jueves 12 de junio a las 10 a.m. para aprender cómo los líderes en el lugar de trabajo agrícola pueden prepararse y responder a redadas migratorias. La audiencia principal es mayordomos y supervisores de primera línea. El webinario será en español con interpretación simultánea al inglés. Este webinario no se grabará.

Creating Your Business Identity Workshop
2025-06-26 10:00
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement (OPPE) are partnering to host a Small Farmer & Rancher Creating Your Business Identify Virtual Workshop. The virtual workshop will cover information on:
• Creating a profile on Google Business
• Leveraging ecosystems to promote your farm.

Immigration Updates for the Central Coast Workplace
2025-07-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Managers and employees, learn how to:
* Plan and prepare
* ​Establish private and public spaces
* Know your constitutional rights​
* Find professional legal advice

Understanding Organic and Small Farm Marketing
2025-07-16 16:00 - 18:00
Please join CAFF, Riverside RCD, and Inland Empire RCD on the evening of Wednesday, July 16th, as we speak about the basics of Organic and Small Farm Marketing and present CCOF’s latest resource, the “Small Organic Farmer Marketing Toolkit”.
Topics to be discussed include, but are not limited to, digital marketing, email marketing, designing a website, and creating a website store. The approximately one-hour presentation will be followed by 30 minutes of Q&A, and a free dinner provided by Conchita.

Sustainable Groundwater Panel - Center for Land Based Learning's Speaker Series
2025-07-16 16:30 - 19:30 | Center for Land Based Learning, 40140 Best Ranch Rd, Woodland, CA, 95776, United States
Join us for wood-fired pizza, beverages, and an evening of honest conversation about SGMA (the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act), what it means for small farms, and what to watch out for in years ahead.
Speakers include:
Judith Redmond, Full Belly Farm

How SGMA affects your water access
Barriers and risks for small farmers
How groundwater rules & regulations affect your business
Regional challenges and opportunities across Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, and beyond

Annie Main, Good Humus Produce

Hear the story of a community’s fight to protect their groundwater.

Click here to sign up and RSVP.

Central Valley Watermelon Tasting
2025-07-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Sherman Produce Market, 1062 Martin Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93706, United States
Join us for the 2nd Annual Central Valley Watermelon Tasting
Saturday, July 19th, 2025 1062 Martin Ave, Fresno, CA⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
After an incredible first year with over 500 attendees, we’re back and bigger than ever! This year’s event blends sweet summer fun with a deeper look at agriculture, workforce development, and career opportunities in the Central Valley.
What to Expect: Tastings of red & yellow, seeded & seedless watermelons Watermelon eating contests Face painting, live music, and local food vendors Hands-on ways to explore farming and ag careers
Whether you’re coming for the watermelon or to connect with the ag community, there’s something for everyone!
Interested in being a vendor? Complete the 2025 Vendor Application.

Supporting Small Farms in SGMA Implementation
2025-08-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
This free webinar seeks to highlight technical assistance and resources available to support small-scale farmers navigating changes posed by SGMA implementation.

Beneath the Surface: 10 Years of Local Groundwater Basin Stewardship (ENG/ESP)
2025-08-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Ray Miller Community Center, 201 West Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA, 94931, United States
Join us for a Community Meeting and Resource Workshop to reflect on a decade of collaborative, community-based work to build groundwater sustainability in the Santa Rosa Plain and Petaluma Valley. Local leaders and experts will share the progress made since the formation of our Groundwater Sustainability Agencies and highlight the valuable work underway to understand, protect, and strengthen our groundwater resources in the face of climate challenges. Learn what’s next and how you can be an active part of the future of groundwater sustainability. Together, we can maintain local control of this vital resource—and ensure a sustainable groundwater supply for generations to come.

How the Event will Flow:

From the Ground Up: Our meeting will include a presentation providing background on the Santa Rosa Plain and Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, how they formed, what they are empowered to do ( what they don’t do), and major milestones over the last ten years.
Beneath the Surface: Hear from experts on current conditions of our aquifers, and what initiatives have been made to advance sustainability, and the value of those investments thus far.
The Next Drop: Sustainability requires multiple strategies and a community-wide effort. Learn about projects, programs and policy options that the GSAs are initiating now and considering for the future.
Q & A: Submit questions in advance via your registration or ask them while at the meeting.
Go Deeper at the Resource Workshop: Want to go deeper and into greater detail on a groundwater topic? Want to find out ways to be an active part of this work? The Resource Workshop portion of the evening will offer a chance for you to talk 1:1 with local experts in hydrogeology, policy, environment, agriculture and more. Some of the organizations participating include: Sonoma Water, Sonoma County and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Daily Acts, Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership and more!

Learn more about our locally-controlled groundwater agencies:
· Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency: santarosaplaingroundwater.org
· Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency: petalumavalleygroundwater.org
Event materials will be available in both English and Spanish. Presentations will be in English, with live interpretation services provided for Spanish speakers.
Following the event, formal presentations portion of this event will be available in a video recording.

RSVP for free at this Eventbrite link.

CAFF's Summer Soiree
2025-08-23 16:00 - 22:00 | Full Belly Farm, 16090 County Road 43, Guinda, CA, 95637, United States
Join CAFF for our annual Summer Soirée at beautiful Full Belly Farm in the Capay Valley. Enjoy a farm-fresh dinner, local wines, craft beers, live music, and a spirited auction—all in support of the farmers who nourish us. Together, we can defend family farms and build a stronger, more just food system.

How to Apply for CUSP Drought 2025 Funding Through CAFF
2025-09-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Join CAFF and representatives of the California Farmer Relief Fund (formerly known as the California Family Farmer Emergency Fund) to learn more about the new grant application portal, eligibility requirements for the California Underserved Small Producer (CUSP) Program, documentation quality, and to get connected with technical assistance providers if need be! Click here to register for free on Action Network.
We will do a live walkthrough in Foundant, the specialized grant management software CAFF now uses for administering funding. This includes aspects such as creating a profile, logging in, responding to the eligibility quiz, and how to upload evidence to support drought impact claims.
The format of this informational “webinar” is casual and open. Questions are welcome throughout but we will also reserve time at the end for Q&A and connecting folks with the appropriate providers. Offered in English only at this time. It will be recorded and uploaded for public viewing on CAFF’s YouTube channel, CAFFflix, for those who are not able to attend in person.

Fresno Policy Perspectives and Grant Support
2025-09-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, 1940 North Fresno Street, Fresno, CA, 93703, United States
[Español abajo] Join CAFF for free dinner and discussion on what policy change you’d like to see to better support your farm or ranch. Stick around for grant application support for up to $20k from the CUSP Program. Every year CAFF fights for CUSP, which provides state funding for up to $20k grants to farmers who have experienced losses, with the current opening for drought relief.
This event is free but open only to farmers, including farm owners, managers, and employees. Dinner and $50 stipends available to farmers who join (click here to RSVP on Action Network).
This event will have live interpretation to Spanish and Hmong.

San Diego Region Organic Agriculture Conference
2025-09-26 09:30 - 15:00 | San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Dr, San Marcos, CA, 92069, United States
Join us and celebrate local organic agriculture! The San Diego Region Organic Conference at San Marcos Community Center will take place from 9:30am-3pm on Friday, September 26th. Light breakfast, coffee, and lunch will be provided. Click here to register for the conference.
We ask that you register by September 18th so we can estimate the number of attendees for the provided food. Please register each person attending the event!
Conference Agenda Overview:

Avocado Irrigation Efficiency & Citrus IPM Research Updates
Weed ecology & approaches to organic weed management
Organic Buyer Panel & Marketing Strategies
Regional support services & grants available for farmers
Meet 1:1 with organic technical assistance providers during Organic Office Hours
Regional Policy Update: hear from the San Diego County SALC 2.0 team

For questions or accommodation needs, please contact:
Lexie Wilson, Extension & Outreach Coordinator, UC OAI
lwwilson [at] ucanr.edu
Event Partners:
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures
Southern California Soil and Water Hub (SoCal Hub)
UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE)
UC ANR Climate Smart Agriculture Program
UC Organic Agriculture Institute (UC OAI)

Retiring and Aspiring: A Multigenerational Approach to Succession Planning and Land Transfer in California
2025-09-30 12:00 - 13:30
Are you thinking about the future of your farm and who will continue to steward it?
Join American Farmland Trust’s California team for a virtual information session to learn about resources and technical assistance available to start your succession planning journey. California experts will share their insights on the process from a financial, legal and heart centered perspective.

Water + Well Aware Virtual Resource Fair: Sonoma County
2025-09-30 13:00 - 14:30 | Webinar
Sonoma County farmers, join us for a round robin session exploring current and OPEN grant, program and resource opportunities related to well and water management, water efficiency and conservation. Hear from multiple speakers on their program or grant offerings that can help farmers successfully navigate the application processes. Speakers and Programs covered include:

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and Your Farm
Local GSA Programs: Level Up, Flow Smart, and Well Aware
URCTA Groundwater Technical Assistance Program
NRCS EQIP Program
CAFF Underserved and Small Producer Program Drought Reimbursement Grant (CUSP)
Zero Foodprint Restore Grant

Click here to register now and be part of this exciting virtual event! Zoom link to be sent closer to event date. Event will be recorded and live Spanish translated.
Event funded in part by DWR’s URCTA Program. Partners and speakers include: Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Goldridge RCD, Sonoma RCD, Dudek Engineering, Natural Resources Conservation Service – Petaluma Field Office, Zero Foodprint.

Organic Transition Office Hours
2025-10-01 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-15 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88293007897
Thinking about transitioning your farm to certified organic? Join CAFF staff for weekly office hours throughout October to learn more about the new Organic Transition Program (OTP).
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88293007897?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode: [REDACTED]
OTP offers at least $30,000 in direct funding plus technical assistance to help California farmers cover the costs and challenges of certification. Applications are open September 24 – October 24, 2025, in English and Spanish.
Office hours are an opportunity to:

Get your questions about the application process answered

Learn about available financial and technical assistance

Find out if your farm is eligible

Hear tips and resources for navigating certification

Cooperation on Tap - Gold Vibe Brewery Tour
2025-10-01 17:30 - 20:30 | Gold Vibe Kombuchary, 12615 Charles Dr, Grass Valley, CA, 95945, United States
Good Vibes at Gold Vibe! We’re brewing up an evening that’s part happy hour, part happy community, lots of fun and fizzy connections, sparkling conversation – and a whole lot of Co-op love. We’re celebrating Co-op Month and all the cooperators who make the magic happen every day at The Patch (that’d be YOU)!
Kick things off at 5:30pm with an exclusive Tour of the Kombuchary.

Tour Tickets HERE

$10 from every ticket will be donated to the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
Then, starting at 6:30pm, say cheers with our PatchWorks Nonprofit Neighbors, take a shot at our raffle and soak up the amazing things happening in our awesome community! And don’t be tardy to the party: First round is on us! The first 50 guests to arrive will score a free drink token.
Clink. Drink. Connect. See you there!
P.S. Register below for an extra entry into our raffle. (But FYI, you’ve got to be present to win!)

Open Farms, Open Tables Dinner
2025-10-10 17:00 - 20:00 | Pajaro Pastures, Corralitos, CA, United States
On October 10th, we cordially invite you to join Community Alliance with Family Farmers at Pajaro Pastures, an ecological ranch in the beautiful Pajaro Valley in Corralitos, CA. Enjoy dinner on the farm by renowned Chef Jessica Yarr, featuring locally-grown products by the farmers of our region, locally crafted libations, and a farm tour with the farmer himself—all in support of those who nourish us.

Día De Esperanza Organic Agriculture Festival 2025
2025-10-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Esperanza Community Farms, 275 Lee Road, Watsonville, CA, 95076, United States
Esperanza Community Farms is thrilled to announce Día de Esperanza Organic Agriculture Festival, planned for Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, 2025 in Watsonville, California.
The regional festival is a celebration of the organic farming that surrounds the central coast valleys. It will offer delicious, educational and interactive experiences to celebrate the rich and growing industry.
The event features:

Local Organic Farmers Market
Vegan and Vegetarian food options and dishes made with locally sourced organic ingredients.
Educational and Interactive Experiences including farm tours, information tables, demonstrations.
Activities and Entertainment a day of fun for the entire family with carnival games, arts and crafts, pumpkin patch, live music and community bike ride!

Tickets are free at the Eventbrite link.

Farmer Services Office Hours
2025-10-20 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-27 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-11-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Virtual
Are you a grower with questions about…

Food safety?
Transitioning to organic?
Value-added products?
Websites and e-commerce?
Marketing?

Join CAFF’s Farmer Services Office Hours!
Get real-time support from CAFF’s Farmer Services team to discuss food safety compliance, organic certification and record-keeping, value-added products and regulation, digital technology, and grant funding available to small-scale growers working on these topics.
Takes place every Monday from 3:30-4:30 PM on Zoom (with the exception of Mondays that fall on federal holidays).
Join us at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88386524057
