Community Alliance with Family Farmers

?? Registration is now OPEN for the 37th annual California Small Farm Conference! ?? Join us February 23-28, 2025, for a week of hands-on learning, insightful workshops, and invaluable networking - all focused on empowering small-scale farmers, ranchers, and local food advocates across California. This hybrid conference features over 40 online sessions plus 12 in-person regional gatherings, covering topics from regenerative agriculture to small business management to farmland equity. Whether you're a seasoned grower or just starting out, there's something for everyone! This year's theme, "Rooted in Place", honors the vital relationship between farmers, communities, and the land they steward. ?? Through this event, we aim to protect and strengthen these connections for years to come. Secure your spot today with our sliding-scale registration by clicking the link in our bio or at caff.org/conference2025. We can't wait to see you there! ?????? #CASmallFarmConference #SmallFarms #CaliforniaAgriculture #LocalFood #FarmingCommunity

We’re Hiring a Marketing Partner! Help us bring the Central Valley’s farming community to the forefront with the F3 Local Food Marketing Campaign. Together, we’ll strengthen the connection between farmers, communities, and local markets. Submission deadline: December 18th. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gjgVE8Qd

Join us for the 4th Small Farm Tech Expo at Kingsburg Historical Park—a community event that features a tech exposition tailored for small-scale farmers and dynamic workshops focused on technology. This annual event brings together farmers, community members, and supporters of family farms in the Central Valley. Immerse yourself in a day of innovation and camaraderie! Date: December 12th, 2024 ? 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location: Kingsburg Historical Park Register here: https://lnkd.in/g_nApF8e Learn more at ?https://lnkd.in/gcu-wrSs Event Highlights Exhibition hall: Live demonstration of 15+ companies that develop tools and technologies for small-scale farms including Sutton Ag, Parabug, SBA, Farm-ng, Farmhand Tractor, Fresno State, Renewables Inc and more! Grants & Resources: Learn about available grants and resources that will help you access and purchase tools and equipment Workshops to learn how to use technology to leverage your farm business Launch of the Small Farms Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology (SF-ADAPT) Refreshments and Lunch will be provided to keep you energized during the event Spanish interpretation available

?? Registration is now OPEN for the 37th annual California Small Farm Conference! ?? Join us February 23-28, 2025, for a week of hands-on learning, insightful workshops, and invaluable networking - all focused on empowering small-scale farmers, ranchers, and local food advocates across California. This hybrid conference features over 40 online sessions plus 12 in-person regional gatherings, covering topics from regenerative agriculture to small business management to farmland equity. Whether you're a seasoned grower or just starting out, there's something for everyone! This year's theme, "Rooted in Place", honors the vital relationship between farmers, communities, and the land they steward. ?? Through this event, we aim to protect and strengthen these connections for years to come. You can secure your spot today with our sliding-scale registration here: caff.org/conference2025. We can't wait to see you there! ?????? #CASmallFarmConference #SmallFarms #CaliforniaAgriculture #LocalFood #FarmingCommunity

We remain committed to the progress we've made for regenerative agriculture in this country and stand strong with farmworkers as essential members of our farms, food system & community. Over the next four years, CAFF will persist in our mission and hold firm to our core values of ecological stewardship, justice & equity, practical solutions, economic fairness, centering farmers, and strong local communities.?

CAFF's very own Dave Runsten was honored last week for his long-time leadership in helping found and lead the California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN) at their biennial summit. Dave’s policy leadership helped shape the state’s climate smart ag programs and we couldn't more proud and grateful for his work. ?? pictured: David Runsten, Devii Rao, Lori D Wilson, Mike Griffin

For 46 years, CAFF's Board of Directors has helped guide this organization, working with staff and our larger community to assure we stay true to our mission. This week, past Board Chair of many years (and endive grower extraordinaire) Rich Collins had a chance to meet our incoming Board Chair, Sarah Keiser of Wild Oat Hollow. That's two generations of commitment to family farms and local food. And of course, shout-out to our outgoing Board Chair, Dawnie Andrak (not picture, but also appreciated!) for her years of dedication.

CAFF's Tech Hub is excited to announce that the next Small Farm Tech Expo will be hosted on December 12th in Kingsburg, CA. Visit https://lnkd.in/gdxenVee to learn more!

?? Calling CA’s urban growers! The Urban Ag Microgrants Info Session is tomorrow! ?? CAFF will be distributing another round of $10K microgrants to growers throughout California, funded by CDFA and the USDA. These microgrants will provide funds for projects that may need financial support to implement, with priority being given to operations led by and/or serving historically underserved urban communities. ?? On October 30th at 11:00 am, come learn more about these microgrants, the application, and ask us questions. Microgrant applications are open now until November 30th. We look forward to learning about your project! ?? Click here to register: https://lnkd.in/gWkb4R94 ?? Big thanks to our partners Agroecology Commons, Food Access LA, UCANR, Los Angeles Food Policy Council, Veggielution, USDA, California Department of Food and Agriculture for making this possible! hashtag#urbanag hashtag#CAgrowers hashtag#microgrants

Small Grants Program now accepting applications: UC SAREP Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems. Up to $10,000 available for projects that fall within two priority areas: Priority Area 1: Support California’s farmers, ranchers, and Tribal and non-Tribal land stewards of all scales in piloting, evaluating, and transitioning to: - environmentally regenerative approaches to producing crops and livestock (including but not limited to soil health, organic and agroecological practices, integrated pest management, crop diversification); - pathways for realizing economic return from ecologically-sound crop management practices and fair labor practices; - marketing and distribution strategies that support diversified, decentralized, and locally-based supply chains; - strategies that promote producer-to-producer networking and/or producer-to-supply chain networking. Priority Area 2: Support California’s rural, urban, and Tribal communities in identifying, implementing, and evaluating strategies to: - expand access to healthy, sustainably produced, culturally appropriate foods; ensure worker wellbeing across the food chain; minimize the community and environmental costs of food production and distribution; - strengthen connections between consumers and producers; - establish and strengthen producer-to-producer connections and producer-to-supply chain connections. https://lnkd.in/gmwjgPVp