Has anybody leased farmland to solar energy developers?

Here is some info on how to determine how valuable your land is.

https://www.telkes.org/make-money-from-pv-land-lease

Reach out to telkes@telkes.org to tell us about your experience combining agriculture with solar energy.

Cal Ag Roots is looking for people from rural California who want to partner with them in 2019 to produce a podcast that tells a story about their community--and an important moment in the history of farming in California.

Selected story co-producers will be paid a $2000 stipend for working with the Cal Ag Roots Team from June-December, 2019, to produce a twenty-minute podcast that will be released in the fall of 2019. Story co-producers will identify a potential story and work with Cal Ag Roots to conduct interviews, write podcast scripts, record narration and edit audio for the piece. No podcast or audio production experience necessary! Time spent on the story will vary, but we anticipate each podcast will require a time commitment of approximately 4-6 hours/week, over roughly 6 months.

To apply to be a story co-producer, please send an email to Project Director Ildi Carlisle-Cummins at

Cal Ag Roots is looking for people from rural California who want to partner with them in 2019 to produce a podcast that tells a story about their community--and an important moment in the history of farming in California.

Selected story co-producers will be paid a $2000 stipend for working with the Cal Ag Roots Team from June-December, 2019, to produce a twenty-minute podcast that will be released in the fall of 2019. Story co-producers will identify a potential story and work with Cal Ag Roots to conduct interviews, write podcast scripts, record narration and edit audio for the piece. No podcast or audio production experience necessary! Time spent on the story will vary, but we anticipate each podcast will require a time commitment of approximately 4-6 hours/week, over roughly 6 months.

To apply to be a story co-producer, please send an email to Project Director Ildi Carlisle-Cummins at icarlisle-cummins@cirsinc.org that includes: 1) a brief introduction of yourself, 2) your interest in this project, 3) a story idea (or ideas) about a key moment in California farming history that is related to your community.

Please feel free circulate widely and have interested folks reach out to Ildi by email or phone (831-345-2109), with any questions.

From CCOF: Do you know students who are interested in pursuing a career in organic agriculture? Encourage them to apply for a Future Organic Farmer Grant! The Grant Fund offers financial support to students pursuing a career in organic agriculture (or livestock management) in a junior college, undergraduate, or a vocational training program. Please share this email with your students and let them know they are welcome to apply for a $2,500 vocational and higher education grant from the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation. Last year’s grants supported students participating in programs like Go Farm Hawai'i, Animal Science at West Virginia University, and the Organic Production major at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, among others. Applications are available on the CCOF Foundation website starting April 1, 2019. The deadline for applications is May 6, 2019.

If you—or an organic producer you know—have experienced hardship during the 2018 calendar year, we encourage you to apply for financial assistance through the Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund. Applying is easy—complete the application by December 3, 2018.

Throughout the nation, farmers are experiencing severe economic losses as the results of extreme weather patterns, an increase in duration and number of natural disasters, and financial challenges. Now, more than ever, farmers need access to immediate and long-term financial support to prepare for and recover from natural disasters and economic loss.

Each year, the CCOF Foundation responds to crises like these by offering economic assistance to organic farmers, processors, and handlers who have experienced financial loss due to extreme hardship. Over the past eight years, over 150 certified organic businesses across the country have received

If you—or an organic producer you know—have experienced hardship during the 2018 calendar year, we encourage you to apply for financial assistance through the Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund. Applying is easy—complete the application by December 3, 2018.

Throughout the nation, farmers are experiencing severe economic losses as the results of extreme weather patterns, an increase in duration and number of natural disasters, and financial challenges. Now, more than ever, farmers need access to immediate and long-term financial support to prepare for and recover from natural disasters and economic loss.

Each year, the CCOF Foundation responds to crises like these by offering economic assistance to organic farmers, processors, and handlers who have experienced financial loss due to extreme hardship. Over the past eight years, over 150 certified organic businesses across the country have received financial support through CCOF’s Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund.

The Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund—named to honor founding CCOF member Barney Bricmont—is the only fund that provides direct financial assistance exclusively to organic producers who suffer losses due to extreme hardship. Since 2007, CCOF has distributed hardship assistance funds* to members of the organic community who are in need. Between 2014 and 2017 the CCOF Foundation provided nearly $160,000 in assistance to 171 organic producers.

Eligibility Criteria

Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund grants are available for applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Certified organic operations currently in good standing (valid organic certificate required for consideration)
• Severe economic loss experienced in the 2018 calendar year
• Submission of documentation or supporting evidence of economic loss resulting from the hardship (required for consideration)
• Proof of organic certification fees paid in 2018 (by any accredited certifier)
• Operations that have not received federal assistance for the same loss
• Submission of a progress report/survey six months after you receive the grant

Applications must be received by the CCOF Foundation no later than December 3, 2018. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

For more information, contact the CCOF Foundation at ccoffoundation@ccof.org or (831) 423-2263.

More information and to apply: https://www.ccof.org/ccof-foundation/bricmont-hardship-assistance-fund.

USDA makes nearly $2 billion available for farmers and ranchers affected by wildfires and hurricanes

http://plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov/wordpress/?p=15769

Buck Mountain Forest Gardens is a magnificent 20-acre site in the heart of the Carmel Valley, and prime for becoming a living sanctuary and community landmark dedicated to the legacy of regenerative agriculture. We're seeking a committed visionary partner and keen investor to develop an ecological retreat center for family cultural and corporate events, as well as an educational farm center for sustainable land management practices. The ideal partner will have experience in sustainable land stewardship, cultivating cooperative relationships and developing viable templates for progressively growing restorative economies, ecologies, and communities -- willing to invest in real places, people and local micro enterprises.

(tried posting this to "Events" yesterday, but don't see it now)

Come to meet and hear FSA Director Val Dolcini talk about funding and support opportunities for beginning and small farmers from FSA. He'll be accompanied by Yolo County Director Cynthia Gillette, and FSA Regional Farm Loan Manager Belle Davis.

This will be an invaluable opportunity to learn about low-interest and micro loans through FSA, as well as other programs such as crop insurance and farm storage grants available to beginning (as well as experienced) farmers.

Date & Time: Wednesday, Sep. 21. 3-5pm

Location: Norton Hall (UC Ag Extension Office), 70 Cottonwood St., Woodland 95695

Details in the flyer below:

Hello !

Would you help me please to find a list of Walnut Orchards in California . And would be nice to have any information of meetings , conference about walnut industry .

Thanks