Conversations

We’re excited and honored to share the last in our series featuring recently-retired, influential leaders in the CA sustainable agriculture movement: Tom Willey of T&D Willey Farms !

A long-time farmer, advocate and activist in the organic sector, Tom shares his reflections and ideas after 40 years of farming in California.

Topics include:

• Industry Reflections
• Opportunities & Advice for Smaller-Scale/Newer Farms
• Responsible Relationships Between Older & Younger Farmers
• Soil Management, Climate Change & AgTech
• The Food Commons
• Closing Remarks [to the next generation]

We posted both (meaty) Highlights as well as a full Transcript.

It’s always a treat to have a leisurely conversation with someone so knowledgable of the industry and steeped in the community. Thank you, Tom, for taking the time! We wish you all the best in your years of fun and discovery

We’re excited and honored to share the last in our series featuring recently-retired, influential leaders in the CA sustainable agriculture movement: Tom Willey of T&D Willey Farms !

A long-time farmer, advocate and activist in the organic sector, Tom shares his reflections and ideas after 40 years of farming in California.

Topics include:

• Industry Reflections
• Opportunities & Advice for Smaller-Scale/Newer Farms
• Responsible Relationships Between Older & Younger Farmers
• Soil Management, Climate Change & AgTech
• The Food Commons
• Closing Remarks [to the next generation]

We posted both (meaty) Highlights as well as a full Transcript.

It’s always a treat to have a leisurely conversation with someone so knowledgable of the industry and steeped in the community. Thank you, Tom, for taking the time! We wish you all the best in your years of fun and discovery ahead!

Read the full story:
Transitions: Tom Willey of T&D Willey Farms

Please also check out other posts in our series:

• Transitions: Shermain Hardesty, former Director of UC Small Farm Program
• Transitions: Ed Thompson, former CA State Director of American Farmland Trust

Greetings all,

Greetings all,

In San Benito County, we live one step away from Silicon Valley, the world’s hub for technology development, where high-tech workers find new ways to improve our connectivity, boost our economies, and improve our livelihoods.

Being California the state that feeds our nation, the agricultural sector is not left behind, and Silicon Valley’s innovators work hard to equip our agriculture with cutting-edge tools. However, technology by itself is not, and will not be enough to move our California’s agriculture to the next level in terms of productivity and environmental sustainability.

Even though technologies such as drones or automatized harvest machines have proved to increase our agricultural productivity, we know that adopting them is not an easy road. Not only high start-up costs, but also a lack of qualified labor with skills and knowledge on how to use these technologies effectively makes the

In San Benito County, we live one step away from Silicon Valley, the world’s hub for technology development, where high-tech workers find new ways to improve our connectivity, boost our economies, and improve our livelihoods.

Being California the state that feeds our nation, the agricultural sector is not left behind, and Silicon Valley’s innovators work hard to equip our agriculture with cutting-edge tools. However, technology by itself is not, and will not be enough to move our California’s agriculture to the next level in terms of productivity and environmental sustainability.

Even though technologies such as drones or automatized harvest machines have proved to increase our agricultural productivity, we know that adopting them is not an easy road. Not only high start-up costs, but also a lack of qualified labor with skills and knowledge on how to use these technologies effectively makes the road steeper. Engaging and educating youth needs to go hand in hand with technological improvements and current and future college students will have a key role in this adoption process. This is why I believe that technology by itself is not enough to bring prosperity.

An initiative that I am proud to be engaged in is the Agriculture, Water, and Environmental Technologies Program, which brings Community Colleges together to incorporate new knowledge into our curriculums. Today, Community Colleges are reaching out the private sector and knocking doors to identify the needs of the agricultural sector in terms of skills and knowledge. This will prepare our students with a tailored education to fit our agricultural sectors’ needs.

Our first goal is to reach owners and managers of companies serving the agricultural sector in San Benito County. If you work in Agriculture and haven’t filled out our survey (LINK) yet, please take a moment to share your perspective with us. We are collecting responses until the end of July.

We appreciate the support of: The San Benito Chamber of Commerce, the San Benito County Farm Bureau, and the Community Services & Workforce Development Office in San Benito.

Good Morning Ya'll,

My name is Jacob Roberson and I am the Food Safety Regional Lead for Tulare, Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties for a non-profit organization called Community Alliance with Family Farmers (new to Fresno area). CAFF is well established all over California except for the Central Valley which is where I am based out of (Fresno to be exact). I wanted to use this post as a source to contact farmers who are struggling with food safety and cannot afford to hire an outside consultant to come to their farm, perform assessments, help with documentation, and get their farm ready for a 3rd party audit. I perform the same duties as an outside consultant but my service is no cost to the farmer. CAFF is a non-profit organization looking to better food safety standards and procedures practiced on small farms / farms at a disadvantage (financial hardships, language barriers, new farmers, etc.).

Food

Good Morning Ya'll,

My name is Jacob Roberson and I am the Food Safety Regional Lead for Tulare, Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties for a non-profit organization called Community Alliance with Family Farmers (new to Fresno area). CAFF is well established all over California except for the Central Valley which is where I am based out of (Fresno to be exact). I wanted to use this post as a source to contact farmers who are struggling with food safety and cannot afford to hire an outside consultant to come to their farm, perform assessments, help with documentation, and get their farm ready for a 3rd party audit. I perform the same duties as an outside consultant but my service is no cost to the farmer. CAFF is a non-profit organization looking to better food safety standards and procedures practiced on small farms / farms at a disadvantage (financial hardships, language barriers, new farmers, etc.).

Food safety is a growing concern and I believe every farmer should have GAPs (Good Agriculture Practices) established on their farm/ranch even if they are not covered by the new FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) produce and preventive facilities rule.

If you feel my free service may benefit you and/or your company, do not hesitate to contact me. My phone number is 559-730-8435 and email is jacob_roberson@outlook.com. If you prefer, you can contact me through farmsreach as well but I would prefer the other two methods of contact (phone and email).

If you know of someone who could benefit from my service as well, please give them my contact information.

Best Wishes,

Jacob Roberson

Hi Folks,

Below are links to two 5 minute, thought-provoking videos that I made and presented at a symposium titled "Sustainability Challenges in Organic Agriculture" that I co-organize for the annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy in Phoenix, AZ, last month. The first video is focused on NITROGEN FERTILIZERS and SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT in high-input, organic vegetable systems like those that are common in the Central Coast of California. The second video, with two coauthors who work at the USDA-ARS in Beltsville, MD, is focused on PEST MANAGEMENT challenges especially with PERENNIAL WEEDS.

Sustainability Problems with Repackaged Synthetic Nitrogen in Organic Agriculture. (Brennan)

What Our Organic Gardens Taught Us About the Challenges of Organic Regulations. (Cavigelli, Tomecek, & Brennan)

All 11 presentations in this symposium were by 5 minute videos and followed by equal time for

Hi Folks,

Below are links to two 5 minute, thought-provoking videos that I made and presented at a symposium titled "Sustainability Challenges in Organic Agriculture" that I co-organize for the annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy in Phoenix, AZ, last month. The first video is focused on NITROGEN FERTILIZERS and SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT in high-input, organic vegetable systems like those that are common in the Central Coast of California. The second video, with two coauthors who work at the USDA-ARS in Beltsville, MD, is focused on PEST MANAGEMENT challenges especially with PERENNIAL WEEDS.

Sustainability Problems with Repackaged Synthetic Nitrogen in Organic Agriculture. (Brennan)

What Our Organic Gardens Taught Us About the Challenges of Organic Regulations. (Cavigelli, Tomecek, & Brennan)

All 11 presentations in this symposium were by 5 minute videos and followed by equal time for discussion. It was a very well attended session with excellent discussion. I'm encouraging the others presenters to make their videos available online and will post a link in the future when more of the video links are available. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or thoughts that you'd like to share with me on the two videos above.

take care, Eric

Eric Brennan, Ph.D

Research Horticulturist

Organic Crop Production

USDA-ARS

1636 E. Alisal St.

Salinas, CA 93905

Tel. 831-755-2822

Fax. 831-755-2814

Email. Eric.Brennan@ars.usda.gov

My Free Publications: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eric_Brennan/

Dear farmers!

We're a small team on a big mission - to make precision agriculture concepts affordable and accessible to even the smallest of farmers. We need some input to be smarter about what we're building.

Our name is Farm Dog (http://farmdog.ag/) and we'll gladly send a Farm Dog hat to the first 50 people that will answer the 25 questions in this survey form: http://goo.gl/forms/88SywcPrlt

Yours,

Michael Hermon

Co-founder and CTO

Farm Dog

The Grange Farm School is looking for a special kind of student. You think holistically rather than in parts. You see the importance of asking high quality questions. You are innovative, ambitious, persistent, and collaborative. You want to be part of the new face of agriculture that will transform our world for the better.

Our 14 week residential, Student Program offers you the tools and confidence to manage a successful agricultural enterprise, whether in farming, ranching, or related fields. You will live and work on a beautiful 5,000 acre ranch with diverse vegetables, grains, fruit trees, and livestock. Guest instructors and staff members provide a comprehensive curriculum in business management, industrial arts, animal husbandry, soil and ecology, and crop production, supported by an understanding of the theory and history of our food systems. You will leave with hands-on practical experience, and

The Grange Farm School is looking for a special kind of student. You think holistically rather than in parts. You see the importance of asking high quality questions. You are innovative, ambitious, persistent, and collaborative. You want to be part of the new face of agriculture that will transform our world for the better.

Our 14 week residential, Student Program offers you the tools and confidence to manage a successful agricultural enterprise, whether in farming, ranching, or related fields. You will live and work on a beautiful 5,000 acre ranch with diverse vegetables, grains, fruit trees, and livestock. Guest instructors and staff members provide a comprehensive curriculum in business management, industrial arts, animal husbandry, soil and ecology, and crop production, supported by an understanding of the theory and history of our food systems. You will leave with hands-on practical experience, and a framework for thinking outside the box, creative decision making, and communication that improves your business planning, community networking, and relationship building .

Grange Farm School programs are designed for practical people who are ready to make a difference in the real world. Students with a desire to enter a career in agriculture equipped with essential skills, knowledge, and resources. Students who want to be among the million new farmers, ranchers, and small businesses this country needs in order to transform agriculture through creative and profitable enterprises.

Grange Farm School is part of the movement to make that happen. Are you ready to join? Then take the next step by contacting us at info@grangefarmschool.org or visiting our website or blog: http://www.grangefarmschool.org OR http://www.grangefarmschool.wordpress.com

CCOF and Whole Foods Market Announce Adjustments to Responsibly Grown Ratings

Announcement Follows Discussions between Retailer and Farmer-Led Organic Advocacy Group

Santa Cruz, CA – CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and Whole Foods Market are pleased to announce that productive discussions between certified organic farmers and the retailer regarding its new Responsibly Grown rating system will soon result in adjustments to that program. These adjustments will ensure that the leading achievement of USDA’s certified organic growing system is recognized within the rating system and clearly communicated to Whole Foods Market customers. Whole Foods Market will also add support and training to address the needs of the many small farmers that uniquely characterize its produce and floral supply. To that end, all certified organic produce and flowers will automatically be awarded a

CCOF and Whole Foods Market Announce Adjustments to Responsibly Grown Ratings

Announcement Follows Discussions between Retailer and Farmer-Led Organic Advocacy Group

Santa Cruz, CA – CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and Whole Foods Market are pleased to announce that productive discussions between certified organic farmers and the retailer regarding its new Responsibly Grown rating system will soon result in adjustments to that program. These adjustments will ensure that the leading achievement of USDA’s certified organic growing system is recognized within the rating system and clearly communicated to Whole Foods Market customers. Whole Foods Market will also add support and training to address the needs of the many small farmers that uniquely characterize its produce and floral supply. To that end, all certified organic produce and flowers will automatically be awarded a minimum "Good" rating in Whole Foods Market stores until January 1, 2016 to allow certified organic growers more time to start or resume Responsibly Grown compliance efforts.

CCOF and Whole Foods Market are committed to working with our farming community to continuously improve Responsibly Grown to achieve its goals, and we are unified in recognizing the importance of addressing multiple relevant issues in agriculture that affect human health and the environment. Details of adjustments to the Responsibly Grown rating system are detailed on the Whole Foods Market website and CCOF’s blog.

About CCOF

CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1973 that advances organic agriculture for a healthy world through organic certification, education, advocacy, and promotion. CCOF is based in Santa Cruz, California, and represents more than 2,900 certified organic members in 42 states and three countries.

For further information on CCOF visit: http://www.ccof.org .

Join us at the Grange Farm School this Fall, in an exciting residential training program designed to equip students with key skills for successful, sustainable, agriculture. Our Practicum Student Program consists of daily field work, bimonthly field trips, and a rigorous curriculum taught during afternoon lessons by staff and guest instructors. Students are able to enroll concurrently in Mendocino College's Community Work Experience Education program and gain credits while studying and working at the Grange Farm School.

This beautiful location in Mendocino County, California is host to numerous exciting projects while in the take off phase of a brand new education program and production farm. Students collaborate with staff to design and build systems for living, growing produce, raising livestock, rehabilitating tools and structures, and so much more.

Check out our website or blog for more information.

Join us at the Grange Farm School this Fall, in an exciting residential training program designed to equip students with key skills for successful, sustainable, agriculture. Our Practicum Student Program consists of daily field work, bimonthly field trips, and a rigorous curriculum taught during afternoon lessons by staff and guest instructors. Students are able to enroll concurrently in Mendocino College's Community Work Experience Education program and gain credits while studying and working at the Grange Farm School.

This beautiful location in Mendocino County, California is host to numerous exciting projects while in the take off phase of a brand new education program and production farm. Students collaborate with staff to design and build systems for living, growing produce, raising livestock, rehabilitating tools and structures, and so much more.

Check out our website or blog for more information. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis for the September 1st start date of our next Practicum Student Program!