F3 Local

Five innovative #agtech startups have been selected for the VINE Connect Program, which will bridge the gap between cutting-edge agricultural tech and growers. This initiative is set to fast-track the adoption of practical, farm-ready solutions! he program, run by UCANR Innovate, Farmhand Ventures, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), will host a public field day on April 10 at the UC Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Camarillo, where these companies will demonstrate their technologies on farm. ?? bit.ly/4bwJBwl

What an incredible time at the California Small Farm Conference - San Joaquin Valley Regional Gathering at Merced College - where local farmers, advocates, and ag leaders came together to share knowledge and resources. The "Rooted in Place" conference was hosted by Community Alliance with Family Farmers?with support from F3 Initiative and F3Local, helping connect small farmers with the tools and networks they need to thrive. A big thanks to our interviewees Estefania Flores and Grace Jackson from CAFF! #CAFF #SmallFarmConference #F3Initiative #FarmsFoodFuture #F3Local

Behind every successful food business is someone who believed in them. For many Central Valley entrepreneurs, that's Kris Marshall, Executive Director of Clovis Culinary Center—a commercial kitchen turned launchpad for culinary dreams. Every day, Kris helps food entrepreneurs in the Central Valley turn their dreams into reality, providing commercial kitchen space, practical training, and hands-on guidance through the complexities of permits, licensing, marketing strategies, and foundational business practices. Whether entrepreneurs are seasoned cooks scaling their operations or beginners just starting out, Kris ensures they have the tools and support needed to thrive in today's competitive food industry. Kris's vision and approach is fully in step with F3 Local: strengthen local food systems by providing resources, training, and market opportunities for small-scale producers. She's building a culinary community that lifts everyone up!? Read Kris’s full story here:?https://lnkd.in/gSUnSiny #FoodBusiness?#LocalFood?#F3Local

Last month, the F3 Local team got together for our annual Winter Gathering—our chance to look back on everything we’ve accomplished over the past year and get excited about what’s ahead. It’s been nearly three years since we kicked off this work, and thanks to an incredible network of farmers, food entrepreneurs, and community partners, we’re building real momentum toward a stronger local food economy in the Central Valley. ? 2024 was a big one. Last year, with the support of our partners, we expanded market opportunities, introduced new tools designed specifically for the region’s farmers, and helped more small and mid-sized producers get the resources they need to thrive. And we’re just getting started. This year, we’re launching an Equipment Lending Library to make it easier for small-scale growers to access essential tools without the hefty upfront costs. We’re also strengthening support for value-added food businesses, helping more farmers tap into institutional markets, and continuing to connect growers with technology that makes their work more efficient and sustainable. ? Check out the full post using the link below to see what we’ve been up to and how you can be part of it! F3 Initiative Community Alliance with Family Farmers Fresno Metro Ministry Central Valley Community Foundation Cultiva La Salud

Are you, or someone you know, a small farmer in #Madera, #Merced, #Fresno, #Tulare, or #Kings County? You are invited to join our just launched, small farm technology alliance, SF - ADAPT (Small Farm Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology). The goal of this alliance is for Central Valley farmers in the 5 counties to drive, shape, and inform the types of technology and on-farm tools that would be most useful and practical for their small farms. We will regularly meet as a group to collaborate with fellow farmers, University of California Cooperative Extension staff, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), and tech developers to get to practical technology solutions for small farms. We offer stipends for farmer participation as well. Fill out our interest form at tinyurl.com/sf-adapt

Get to know HMC Farms, a family business in Kingsburg with farming roots that date back to 1887.?Growing stone fruit, table grapes, and more, HMC is a local leader in adopting innovative farming techniques and championing ag sustainability. Owner Harold McClarty was an early supporter of the F3 Initiative and Drew Ketelsen serves on the F3 Innovate board.?Learn more at HMCFarms.com, and stay tuned for more spotlights on local farms and farmers!

Are you a food system advocate with proficiency in Hmong or Spanish? The F3 Local Bilingual Outreach Community Educator (Community Education Specialist 1) is vital in supporting small-scale farmers and food businesses through outreach, extension education, technical assistance, and applied research activities. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director of Local Farm and Food Innovation and as part of the F3 Local team, the Community Educator will focus on engaging the Hmong-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities respectively to enhance access to resources, tools, and support. In this role, the Community Educator will assist with conducting outreach with small-scale farmers and food business owners, focusing on? Hmong-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities respectively in Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, and Tulare Counties. They will support and deliver bilingual educational materials, presentations, and workshops tailored to the needs of small-scale food and farming businesses. The Community Educator will aid in providing technical assistance and extension support to farmers and micro-enterprises, including guidance on appropriately scaled tools, equipment, and technology. Apply to be a Bilingual Outreach Community Educator today! English/Hmong Role: https://lnkd.in/gf-cDGq3 English/Spanish Role: https://lnkd.in/gDh-uNND #SpanishSpeaking #HmongSpeaker #CommunityOutreac #F3Local #CentralValleyFarming #CentralValleyFood #FresnoJobs #MaderaJobs #MercedJobs #KingsCountyJobs #TulareJobs?

Big news for local farmers! The USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture recently awarded Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants, and four Central Valley farms - Angela's Ranch, Madera's Queen Honey LLC, Riverdance Farms, and Siembra y Cosecha - received a total of $242,862 with support from F3Local and Community Alliance with Family Farmers. These grants will help strengthen our food systems, support small farms, and advance sustainable practices. Congratulations to these hardworking farms for their incredible efforts! Read the USDA press release for more details at: https://lnkd.in/d2fYCP7m #F3Initiative #FarmsFoodFuture #F3Local #SupportLocalFarms #BuyLocal

We are hiring an Industry Partnerships Coordinator! The Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology & Agriculture and F3 Innovate at UC Merced is seeking an Industry Partnerships Coordinator to connect research with the agriculture and tech industries. In this role, you will: - Build relationships with industry partners, farmers, and researchers. - Facilitate collaborations like field trials, hackathons, and projects. - Support cross-disciplinary work in agtech, data science, and climate-smart innovations. -Help advance sustainable food systems in California’s Central Valley and beyond. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact by connecting UC Merced’s researchers with industry leaders tackling the future of food, farming, and technology. If you're a strong communicator with a passion for innovation, we want to hear from you! Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gE8_Rv_d Join us in driving the future of sustainable innovation in agriculture! Leigh Bernacchi Joshua Viers