Preserving Agriculture in the Face of Climate Change--Food, Farming, and You: Addressing the Pickle We Are In

Please join leaders from Sonoma County government, business, education and nonprofit organizations for the seventh annual conference. Help realize the vision for our region that includes a healthy business environment and an exceptional quality of life. Protecting our
communities and natural resources in the face of climate change requires a community wide effort. Find out if Sonoma County is making progress toward its GHG reduction goal—25% below 1990 levels by 2015.

Where: Petaluma Community Center • 320 N. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954

When: Thursday, May 26th, 2011 ~ 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Cost: $55.00 per person
Student Scholarships are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Download the Conference Flyer 

Questions? Contact Conference Organizer, Marinda Freeman, MF Productions; 415.924.9145 or via email at marinda@mfproductions.net

Visit www.everybodyprofitssonoma.com to register or for more information

Climate Protection: Everybody Profits is a yearly collaboration between Sonoma County local city government, the County of Sonoma, Sonoma County Water Agency and nonprofits working together to further the cause of sustainability in Sonoma County. Each year a different city hosts the
conference.

Supervisory Ranch Production Manager

Livestock and Pasture Ranch

Marin/Sonoma Counties 

Livestock and Pasture Ranch is seeking a very qualified Supervisory Manager to oversee properties and employees in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Innovative and cutting edge ranch/pasture management with an emphasis on local, sustainable, 100% grass fed and pasture raised livestock production.

ONLY VERY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS ARE TO APPLY

Mandatory Qualifications: 
- Valid and Clean Driving Record 
- Spanish Language Fluency 
- Good Physical Health 
- Organized, Scheduled, and Task Oriented 
- Responsible Decision Maker and Problem Solver 
- Able to Work Long Hours 
- Passionate about Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production 

Experience Required:
- Supervisory Management 
- Equipment Operation: Highway Vehicles, Farm Tractors, Off Road Equipment, Construction Equipment & Machines 
- Mechanical: Repairs and Maintenance of Vehicles and Equipment 

Additional Experience of Interest: 
- Welding, Metal Work, and Woodworking 
- Construction: Structural, Plumbing, Electrical, Fencing, Grading, Etc. 
- Domestic Livestock Health and Husbandry: Cattle, Poultry, Sheep, Goats, Swine 
- Natural Resources, Vegetation, Ecological Monitoring 

Compensation: 
-$40k Annual Salary; Paid Time Off, Health Care Plan, Meat/Food Discounts 

PLEASE SEND RESUME with REFERENCES to grassfedjobs@gmail.com; please type "Ranch Manager" in the subject line



originally posted on the EcoFarm listserve

Delivery Driver Wanted

Pasture Raised Beef Company

San Francisco Bay Area 

Thriving pasture raised beef company is seeking a delivery driver. We are seeking an extremely reliable, hard working, customer service oriented person to be part of our team. Tasks include delivering our product throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, working in our production floor and assisting in other company related jobs.

Mandatory Requirements:
-MUST HAVE A VALID CLASS C CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE
-Proof of good driving record must be presented at time of interview (DMV printout)
-Customer service oriented
-Be able to lift heavy items
-Route delivery experience preferred
-Butcher experience a plus

Compensation:
-$10 / hr. DOE

PLEASE SEND RESUME with REFERENCES to grassfedjobs@gmail.com; please type "Delivery Driver" in the subject line


originally posted on the EcoFarm listserve

Independent Farmers Wanted

Industrious Ag Cooperative

Santa Barbara, CA

Industrious Ag Collective is a 20-acre greenhouse and row crop paradise located on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara, California.  We are currently seeking independent farmers to help transition this productive food-producing property further away from its conventional past.  We have over 250,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space in one of the best climates in the US.  We are also ideally situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles markets and restaurants.  The farm is five minutes (by bicycle) from Highway 101.

We are seeking experienced and/or enthusiastic farmers to fill our greenhouses with sustainable produce, an aquaponics facility, worm farms, chickens, tropical fruits, mushrooms, and other earthly delights. 

We provide a stable and affordable growing space, ag-rate water, and an on-site wholesale produce distributor that could potentially sell your entire crop before it is even harvested. They currently supply local restaurants, school districts, the University of California at Santa Barbara, and area hospitals with fruits and vegetables from our farm and other local operations. There are also seven farmers markets held every week within 15-miles of the farm if you want to sell your produce directly to area residents. 

Four independent farmers and the wholesale produce distribution company currently operate successfully out of the greenhouses, fields, and packing shed at our property.  We have room to grow and offer a very supportive, non-competitive environment.

Please contact George Thomson at (805) 705-2582 or pellea10@gmail.com for more information.


originally posted on the EcoFarm listserve

Organic Farm For Sale in Oregon

26 Acres

Willamette, OR

* Irrigated

* Class I soils

* 10 Acres / Berries

* Small Orchard / Cherries / Apples

* 2 Dwellings

* 7 Outbuildings / LG Processing Shop w/walkin cooler

* Central Willamette Valley Location / Off I-5

  1 hour from Portland / Eugene / Coast / Mountains

* Greenhouses

* Motivated Seller due to age / illness

* Terms Negotiable

* Contact: Scott Frost

  Phone: 541-926-1652

          Email: Naturesfountain@yahoo.com 

originally posted on the EcoFarm listserve

Farm Assistant Wanted

McKellar Agricultural Group

Ivanhoe, CA  

McKellar Agricultural Group in Ivanhoe, CA (Tulare County) is seeking an entry level person to be trained or a person with farm experience to be responsible for a variety of farm activities including Agritourism projects.  

General responsibilities would include repair and maintenance of facilities and equipment, light construction, and landscape work. Agritourism responsibilities will include establishing a demonstration vegetable garden, a demonstration fruit orchard, a farm animal display, a poultry display and activities associated with farm festivals. Person must speak English and Spanish. Person will be responsible for interaction with the public, making presentations to the public and leading tours of the property. Pay is minimum wage to begin or negotiable depending on experience.  

McKellar Ag Group consists of Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch, an outdoor wedding and event venue and Farm Stay, www.sevensycamores.com  and Family Farm Fresh, a CSA,www.familyfarmfresh.com and McKellar Farms/McKellar Ranch Co. growers of citrus dating back to 1927. This is a family operation.  

Resumes should be emailed to bob@mckellarfarms.com.  

originally emailed via the EcoFarm listserve

OZ Farm Still Seeks New Farm Manager for 2011 Season

Oz Farm 

Manager Wanted for Coastal Mendocino County Farm 

Oz Farm, located just outside Point Arena, CA, is looking for a new farm manager to begin work in spring 2011. Certified organic since 1991, Oz has nine acres under cultivation, including an heirloom espaliered apple orchard, plus an additional 11 acres certified organic. The 270-acre
property straddles the Garcia River, and is located three miles from the ocean, about three hours north of San Francisco. 

Oz Farm also hosts seasonal retreat groups and weddings, supervised by a retreat manager who is already working at the farm.

In an unexpected but exciting development, Oz Farm's current farm manager has recently purchased farmland in Austria and will be moving there with her family later this year. We anticipate that the new manager and our current manager will overlap significantly to ensure a smooth transition later this season. 

We are looking for someone (or a couple) with at least 2 years farm management experience who can take responsibility for the farm operation and expand our 30 member CSA as well as our Farmers markets, restaurant, retail and wholesale accounts to a year-round operation with additional clients. The farm manager will work closely with Oz Farm's owners, who are particularly interested in year-round farming.

Farm Manager responsibilities include: developing and following an annual work plan, budgeting time and costs, recruiting, training and managing seasonal apprentices, marketing and the management of our CSA and other accounts, maintaining organic certification, soil enhancement, crop production planning, procuring, planting, irrigating, harvesting and sales. In addition, the farm manager is expected to direct special projects, including fencing, carpentry, irrigation and other capital improvements. 

The position is a full-time one-year contract with the prospect of a long-term relationship. Off-the-grid photovoltaic housing heated with wood stoves is provided as well as farm produce.

Pay commensurate with experience. 

For more information: See http://www.oz-farm.com.
Please direct questions to John Hooper (co-owner) at 415-626-8880 or hooparb@aol.com

Learn About Seed Saving at the Petaluma Seed Bank

Thursday, April 29, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., find out more about Seed Saving with Steve Quirt of UC Cooperative Extension. In addition to his duties through the UC Cooperative Extension, Steve farms a 2-acre organic market garden in Tomales. Come discover helpful seed-saving tips and learn more about organic gardening.


Questions? Contact the Seed Bank

Learn More About Biointensive Gardening and Farming at the Petaluma Seed Bank

Thursday, April 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., learn about biointensive gardening and farming from accomplished farmer Elijah Wekesa Namajanja of Tara Firma Farms in South Petaluma. Elijah, who is one of the key farmers at Tara Firma, holds an advanced certificate in Biointensive Agriculture from Ecology Action, California, and has many years of experience in community mobilization and training, which include consulting with many organizations on biointensive farming in his homeland of Kenya. This is a great opportunity to learn firsthand from an expert farmer.

Questions? Contact the Seed Bank

Poultry Manager Job Opening

Shasta Farms

Gazelle, CA

Shasta Farms is a 10,000-acre organic farm that is building a slaughter facility and group of old-fashioned butcher shops to market its products. The butcher shops, scheduled to launch in 2012, will offer an old-world experience to California consumers interested in purchasing high-quality, healthy, and great tasting meats. By controlling the entire production chain - from the farm, through slaughter and processing, and right through to the point of sale - Shasta Farms will offer an unparalleled experience to the consumer, ideal for an emerging market of consumers concerned about food safety, environmental responsibility, and taste quality.

Shasta Farms will become one of three American farms with a wholly owned slaughter facility, and the first to own its entire distribution channel. Shasta Farms will produce nearly every type of meat imaginable, from guinea fowl to goats, with a focus on super-premium beef and pork. Given its focus on natural and sustainable production, Shasta Farms will raise primarily heritage breed animals selected for great taste quality.

The Poultry Manager is responsible for the daily operational activities of the multi-species poultry program at Shasta Farms. This position will plan, oversee and participate in the management of all aspects of the poultry production program at Shasta Valley Farm, including:

-       Poultry husbandry;
-       Egg production;
-       Incubation and hatchery;
-       Breeding selection;
-       Manure management and collection;
-       Coordination of transport to proprietary slaughter facility;
-       Coordination poultry feeding and water systems;
-       Maintenance of livestock housing and equipment:
-       Creation and management of production records;
-       Maintenance of strict bio-security measures;

This position will be responsible for:
-       Ensuring that annual production targets for poultry are met;
-       Care, accountability, protection and well-being of all poultry, including but not limited to meat chickens, layer chickens, quail, turkey, squab, geese, rabbits and ducks (see below for information on anticipated poultry numbers at Shasta Valley Farm);
-       Upkeep of the fixed and mobile facilities associated with poultry production and animal husbandry.
-       Implementing USDA Organic standards, as stipulated in the National Organic Program;
-       Hiring, management of and supervision of all poultry personnel including both year-round and seasonal staff.

Recommended skills/experience include:
-       Three years livestock/poultry management experience;
-       High school diploma/GED required, Bachelors Degree recommended (relevant major encouraged);
-       Farm implement operation;
-       Spanish language skills;
-       Mechanical repair and maintenance;
-       Experience in organic animal husbandry and accompanying record keeping;

Supervisor:
-       Position reports to the Grain Division Manager

To apply please contact:
Kylan Hoover
Shasta Farms
Grain Division Manager
P: (530)598-1942
E: kylan.hoover@shastavalleyfarm.com

Mid-April Start Date

Farm Assistant Job Posting

One position available at Lindencroft Farm in Ben Lomond, CA.  We are located about 10 miles from downtown Santa Cruz.  The job consists of harvesting, washing, sowing, and transplanting of a large variety of vegetables and fruit.  

We are a no-till, 2-acre farm.  We use no machinery and we do not turn the soil ever.  We have a small crew of about 5 to 6 members.  Hours and days can be adjusted to meet your needs.  We also have one trailer for anyone wishing to live on the farm. 

Please call or email for more information.
Linda Butler
831-206-7126
Lindencroft@gmail.com

Farmer-Vet Coalition on NPR's All Things Considered!

Listen to or read the April 7th story here. 


Summary: Some veterans and active duty personnel are learning to navigate a new type of terrain. Their tough military training and attention to detail are proving to be assets as they learn the skills needed for organic farming.

Spiral Foods Cooperative Potluck April 16th

A local foods cooperative marketplace is coming to West Sonoma County! 

This month the roving potluck travels west to the Occidental community. Bring friends and family to get the latest scoop on the project, connect with your neighbors, enjoy great food, and even sign up for a sub-committee. 

WHEN: Saturday April 16th,  1-4pm  

 

WHERE: Anderson Hall, Camp Meeker Recreation Center,  5240 Bohemian Hwy N 95419 

PLEASE BRING:

~ Your own plate, cup & utensils 

~ A dish to share for 6-10 people: appetizer, side dish, dessert or drinks (if possible)

 ~ Musical Instruments

SCHEDULE:  

1pm~ Gathering, Greeting and Eating at Anderson Hall.

2pm~Introduction to the project and progress report.  (This is a great opportunity to learn more about what we are doing, share your input, ask questions, and get involved. We need help to make this happen.)

3-4pm~ Open time for music, conversation, and cooperation.

April 14th Panel Discussion: "Sustainability: Localization vs. Globalization"

When: Thursday, April 14, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.


Where:  The Petaluma Seed Bank, 199 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, CA 94952 


What: A lively panel discussion on the topic: "Sustainability: Localization vs. Globalization." Join us for this interactive discussion about how we can each make a difference in our food system, local economy, environment and health. 


Who: Hosted by Bay Area Nourishing Traditions, the evening will feature Bob Cannard from Green String Farm, Tara Smith from Tara Firma Farms, Ruth Persselin from Petaluma Bounty, and Anne Fischer Silva, a local clinical nutritionist. 


Questions? Call 707.509.5171 for more information. 

Special Sonoma Cty. Board of Directors/Ag Preservation and Open Space District Meeting, Monday, April 25th

Please join Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (SCAPOSD) for a special meeting of the Board of Directors on Monday, April 25 regarding SCAPOSD program, projects, and future direction.  Learn more about what they are doing, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Monday, April 25

9 a.m.-noon

Supervisor's Chambers
Sonoma County Administration Building
575 Administration Drive
Room 102A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-2823

For more information, please call 707.565.7360, or e-mail openspace@sonoma-county.org

 

All-Electric Allis-Chalmers "G" Tractor

All-Electric Allis-Chalmers "G" Tractor

One of the best cultivating tractors ever made.  Allis-Chalmers Model "G," made even better by conversion to fully electric!  Very low maintenance.  Super slow speeds possible for close-in mechanical weeding.  Excellent visibility of crops during weeding.  Field tested for 6 years.  Hydraulics. Also, very handy for hauling things around the farm.  Two available, $8000  each. 


Contact (707) 570-5484 or revallo@gmail.com for more information.

Value-Added Production Workshop May 9th

Value-Added Production Workshop

For Farmers and Ranchers

Monday, May 9^th

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

−registration begins at 9:00 a.m.−

Sonoma County Farm Bureau Building

970 Piner Road, Santa Rosa

Learn what it takes to include value-added production in your farm or ranch operation.

Topics covered include:

What Does “Value-Added” Mean?

How to Get Started with Production: Renting Space vs. Building Your Own Facility

Are There Grants to Help With Costs?

Afternoon Tour of Farm-Owned Commercial Kitchen and Optional Tour of Local Creamery

Lunch Provided.

$20* registration fee.

To register, please contact Molly at:

molly1@californiafarmlink.org or 707.829.1691 x100

*scholarships available

New Asti Property Listing on CFL Website

I just posted a new listing for some property in Asti. Click here for the listing. 

NPR's All Things Considered: Story About Women Farmers

I forgot to post this on Thursday, when I first heard the story. You may have already listened to this one, and it's likely not news to many of you . . . but it's great that women farmers are continuing to pop up in the national media. 
Read the story (or listen to it) here.  


Also, a belated "Happy Cesar Chavez Day" to one and all...