Action Alert: Call Your Congressfolk to Help Support Beginning Farmers and Ranchers!

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture called attention to a real worry when he asked: “Why not place the nation’s attention on the need for young farmers on the same plane as police officers and teachers? They are equally important to the future of this country.”
Indeed! Our nation’s farmers are aging and retiring rapidly, and beginning farmers and ranchers face tremendous obstacles entering this field. As a career choice, farming and ranching may be one of the most difficult occupations to enter. To ensure a healthy, safe, and prosperous future America urgently needs new farmers.




Today you have an extraordinary opportunity to launch a new generation of farmers and ranchers in this country!


Ask your Senators and Representatives to Co-sponsor the

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011!

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 is a jobs creator that helps new farmers and ranchers get a start. This is a remarkable opportunity to break down barriers to entry and give real support to aspiring farmers across this nation. 



Next week the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) will be joining members of Congress and other farm groups in introducing the bill.  We need support from as many legislators as possible. Can we count on you to make a call?

Update on Property ID#1289: Equipment Included in Sale!

Here's the updated listing: 


Sonoma County ID#1289: Three-acre organically-registered farm for sale southwest of Santa Rosa. The sale now includes the below list of equipment as well. 2.5 acres are in row crops, with a vineyard on 1/4 acre, and 50 fruit and nut trees (various varieties). The property has two 3 bdrm/2 ba houses, 1350 & 1200 sq ft with new furnaces and floors. There is a working 90'x 45' barn with concrete floor, six-door refrigerator, stainless steel counter, sink, 12'x12'cold storage, and gas and electric. The property includes a 30'x20' greenhouse and chicken house with water and electric. The well gets 32GPM at 270'. There is water storage capacity on site and irrigation throughout. 


Equipment included in this sale: 

• SICMA Rotovator (PTO)
• Rhino Flail Mower (PTO)
• BushHog Rotary Mower SQ 42 (PTO)
• Howard HS 500 Fertilizer Spreader (PTO)
• MF 205 Massey-Furguson diesel tractor with attached loader
• Box Scraper
• Two (2) Disk Harrows- 1 large, 1 small
• Spring-Tooth Disk Harrow
• Bed Shaper 

Asking price is $715,000. 


Contact Don @ (707) 585-9444 


Visit www.donaldrosenberg.com for more information

Small Farm Tax Guide: Great Resource!

I just got the heads-up about this fantastic website (www.ruraltax.org) created by Utah State University (with funding from  the Risk Management Agency, or RMA, a branch of the USDA that has funded some of California FarmLink's grants as well). On this site, you can find step-by-step instructions about how to understand the taxes farmers need to pay, including the Schedule F. We here at FarmLink are always telling farmers that filing those Schedule Fs as early in your farming career as possible is only beneficial to you in the long run. Once you start filing your taxes as a farmer, you begin to establish your farm business credentials with the government. This comes in handy when you want to start looking at funding options. 


I know it's a little early to start looking to next year's tax season, but it never hurts to learn about useful resources like this one! I've also added a link to this website under the "Farm and Small Business Resources" on the right. 

Quivira Coalition 10th Anniversary Conference Nov. 8-10 in New Mexico: The New Agrarians

The New Agrarian Conference speakers will feature well-known authors, experts, and practitioners, with 80% being diverse, young agrarian leaders working hard to successfully meet the challenges of the 21st century. Come be inspired and take their knowledge and excitement home with you! 


Please go to the Quivira Coalition's website for more information. 

Family Farm Succession Planning Conference: Oct. 15th and Nov. 19th

Passing Down Land and Business to a New Generation

Saturday, October 15, 2011 • 9am – 5pm 

and 

Saturday, November 19, 2011 • 9am – 5pm

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, Modesto, CA

Learn more about the conference and register online today!

$95 each for the first two people, and $75 each person thereafter (includes coffee breaks, lunch, two dinners and materials)

Registration deadline: October 10, 2011

Some scholarships are available. Call Mary Junqueiro/Nicole Alvernaz (209) 525-4720 for information.

Hiring: Program Coordinator for the Sacramento Valley Beginning Farmer Training & Incubator Program

Application Deadline: October 12th, 2011, or until filled

Start Date: Nov. 7th, 2011 (approximate)

The Center for Land‐Based Learning (CLBL) inspires and motivates people of all ages, especially youth, to promote a healthy interplay between agriculture, nature and society through their actions and as leaders in their communities. We serve close to 1,000 high schools students per year through two model high school experiential programs, and an additional 2,500 youth and adults at our Farm on Putah Creek educational site near Winters, CA.

Background: In October 2010, the Center for Land‐Based Learning was awarded a $500,000 grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Specialty Crops Block Grant Program to create and implement the Sacramento Valley Beginning Farmer Training & Incubator Program. During the spring and summer of 2011, CLBL conducted a needs assessment survey of farmers and prospective program participants in the region. We have also completed a curriculum review of over 130 other beginning farmer training opportunities nationally to help inform the design of the new program. The Program Director was hired in May 2011 and, in partnership with collaborating organizations and farmers, is building the training program structure and content and developing plans for the farm business incubator. 

The Beginning Farmer Program’s Advisory committee has had two full meetings and its members represent organizations, farms and businesses that offer support and resources to the program. Classes for the training program are scheduled to begin in mid-late January 2012 and qualified program graduates will have the opportunity to lease incubator plots starting in the summer.

Job Description: CLBL is hiring a full-time Program Coordinator, based at our main office at 5265 Putah Creek Road, Winters CA, at the Farm on Putah Creek. This position will be responsible for assisting the Program Director and partners in implementing the new training program and farm incubator site(s). The Coordinator position will be an engaging combination of program coordination, student training, and farm management, with primary responsibility for overseeing the plots of ground leased by the program to its beginning farmer graduates. If you have a background in both production agriculture and education, this is an opportunity to help others get a jump start to their farming careers.

Mandatory requirements: The Sacramento Valley Beginning Farmer Program Coordinator must be able to interact effectively with the Program Director, student farmers and established growers, and agricultural organizations and businesses in the region. 

The Coordinator should be organized, work well as part of a team and independently, and have a demonstrated dedication to promoting and engaging in sustainable agriculture.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Ecology, Community Development, or other closely‐related field
• A minimum of two years of professional experience coordinating programs
• A minimum of three years of on-farm work experience
• Experience in all aspects of farm production for small to moderate-sized diversified vegetable production, including crop planning and rotations, cover cropping, irrigation, appropriate machinery and equipment use, and post-harvest handling
• Experience working with direct marketing and/or CSAs, wholesale or institutional markets
• Knowledge of Sacramento Valley agriculture and production systems
• Excellent communication, social and writing skills.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also have:

• A background in either formal or informal educational programs, including working one-on-one and with small groups of students or adult learners
• At least one year of experience as a farm manager or primary operator
• An ability and willingness to be flexible
• Experience with diverse farming populations and/or some Spanish language capability
• Experience with organic certification and production
• Moderate to advanced computer skill, especially with MS Office, web browsers, social media, and email
• Willingness to work odd hours and weekends as required. Time at the incubator plots to assist beginning farmers will include week day evenings and some weekend hours.

Salary: This is a full-time position with a starting salary range of $40,000 to $50,000, commensurate with experience. Full benefits (health, dental, vision, flex plan, and 401K) are included after three months of employment.

How to Apply: Direct inquiries, cover letter and resume to: 

Jennifer Taylor, Program Director - jennifer@landbasedlearning.org

We highly encourage you to visit our website at www.landbasedlearning.org

2012 CA Small Farm Conference Scholarships Available!

The 25th annual California Small Farm Conference will be held March 4th-6th, 2012, in Valencia (Los Angeles County), and the conference organizers are looking for farmers and ranchers (and their employees), Certified Farmers' Market Managers, and agricultural students to apply for scholarships to take part in this valuable three-day conference. 

If you're interested in applying for these scholarships, call 888-712-4188, email smallfarmconference@gmail.com or go to www.californiafarmconference.com 

Applications due by December 16, 2011 

Spanish and Hmong translation is available for the conference.

New Property: Half Acre Plus 4BR Home Available in Penngrove

This listing was just posted on the website: 


Sonoma County ID#1348: 1/2 acre (out of a one-acre parcel), plus a four-bedroom home is available for rent in Penngrove! The house comes with a cat named Cat, and tenants must be willing to care for her. The backyard includes the 1/2 acre available for production, and it is entirely fenced. Irrigation comes from a deep well, and the home has separate municipal water. Landowners would be open to chickens and potentially other livestock in addition to produce. Long-term agreement preferred.


Please let me know if you're interested. Don't forget to include the ID# when contacting me!

NPR Story Focuses on the Financial Hurdles Young Farmers Face

If you haven't had a chance to see or hear this story yet, be sure to check it out! While this is no news to those of you who read this blog, it's great to see it get some national media attention. 


Please remember that California FarmLink has a lot of information regarding alternative financing models for small farmers -- be in touch if you'd like more resources!

New Property: 2-3 Acres for Lease Near Petaluma!

Brand-new listing: 


Sonoma County ID# 1341: 2-3 acres available outside of Petaluma. Property is fenced and has a well (shared with landowner's residence on-site). Landowners are open to any variety of operation, as long as it's organic/sustainable, including multiple farmers using the space. Landowner lives on the property, and there may be possibilities for farmer housing as well. There is no current irrigation infrastructure, but landowner will install irrigation to the farmer's design. Landowners are open to cash leases, cropshare leases, and would consider reduced rent in exchange for landscape maintenance work.


You can also find this listing on our website. 


Please remember to contact me with the ID number if you're interested in pursuing this property!

"State of Agriculture" Event in Santa Rosa on November 1st

Come hear a keynote address from Karen Ross, the Secretary of California Department of Food and Agriculture on the “State of Agriculture.” Additional speakers will include Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau federation and other key topics.


The event is free for Farm Bureau members and $25 for non-members.


Reservations are required. Call 707.544.5575 or visit http://www.sonomafb.org 

Eat Real Festival This Weekend in Oakland!

Here's an excerpt from an email I received this morning from the Eat Real Festival. I hope some of you can make it!
___________________


This weekend the Eat Real Festival returns to Oakland’s Jack London Square this September 23-25. To plan your own food adventure (and yes, bring your sunscreen, mason jars, water bottles, and shopping bags), here’s a quick rundown of the three days of the fest:


Friday, Sept 23rdKick off Eat Real with our Get Lit event! We’re officially lighting our bread oven (and running kid-friendly DIY bread workshops), hosting our second annual food Lit Fest, and unveiling our Jam Bar cocktail collaborations that harness the creative powers of spirits, food craft, and mixologists. If spirits aren’t your cup of tea, we’ll be tapping our beer and wine kegs, too. And, don’t worry. We don’t let you drink on an empty stomach. Thirty awesome street food vendors will offer tasty tidbits throughout the day, including our Sweet Treat Social with gelati, ice creams, and sorbets!


Saturday & Sunday, Sept 24th-25thThe Eat Real party will be in full swing on Saturday and Sunday! We’ll be rolling out 60+ street food vendors and their awesome curbside eats, pouring tasty local handcrafted beers, wines, and tasty non-alcoholic beverages for fun-in-the-sun dining pleasure.


And we’ll have food fun for all ages, with demos and workshops like the Great Butter Shakedown, Sprouts Kids Cook Off, the Kraut-a-Thon, hands-on bread learning at our community oven, butchery competitions, and more! Or meander through our Grow It area with mini homesteads for urban gardens, piglets, chickens, and goats. And be sure to stop by the Prius v Creation Station to try your hand at the Cargo Challenge and hop in the Prius Photo Booth while your kids create custom t-shirts and buttons. You can also pick up your entry form for the prius goes plural sweepstakes! Details here.


And that’s just the tip of the iceberg lettuce, y’all! Check out the schedule here. 

Urban Adamah Fellowship in Berkeley

Fellowships 

Urban Adamah 

Berkeley, CA 

Urban Adamah, based in Berkeley, CA, is a three-month intensive residential leadership training program for young adults ages 20-29, that integrates urban organic farming, social justice work and progressive Jewish living and learning. Twelve Urban Adamah Fellows are selected each season to operate an organic farm and educational center, intern with community organizations addressing issues at the intersection of poverty, food security and environmental stewardship, and learn an approach to Jewish tradition that opens the heart and builds joyful community. Applicants do not need any farming for Jewish knowledge to participate. Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We are looking for individuals who are most likely to leverage the gifts of the program to make positive change in their own lives and in the world.

Spring and Summer Applications Available Now At www.urbanadamah.org


originally posted on the EcoFarm listserve

Interesting Opportunity From Alvarado Street Bakery!

Alvarado Street Bakery is a worker-owned bakery in Petaluma that specializes in organic sprouted whole grains breads. They are looking to build a long-term, mutually-beneficial relationship for disposal/reuse of spent water used to germinate organic whole grains such as wheat berries. 


Details about the spent sprout water: 

• The water is city water that has gone through an in-house filtration system. It's then used to sprout whole grains (wheat, barley, flax, etc.). After the process is complete, the water will be collected in large tanks. 
• Up to 10,000 gallons will be generated per week, every week and will be collected in 5000-gallon truck loads. 
• The water contains no heavy metals or arsenic and has a pH of around 4.5.
• The water is safe to use for irrigation.
• Alvarado Street Bakery has done a few experiments with compost, and they find that it seems to raise the temperature about eight degrees. 
• The bakery has been told that the spent water is suitable for use in manure ponds. 
• Waste water information such as BOD, TSS, nitrates, etc., is currently available. Nutritional analysis will be available eventually, if needed. 

If you or someone you know might be interested or need more information, please contact Joseph or Michelle at 707.283.0300.

New! 20 Acres Available for Lease in Redcrest (Humboldt County)

I just posted a really great property in Humboldt County. Please read the below description (or check it out here on our website). Note that there may be a lease-to-own option for the right person with this property. 


Humboldt County ID#1343: 20 farmable acres on a 26-acre parcel available for lease (with possibility of a future sale) near Redcrest in Humboldt County. This property includes a one-acre apple orchard, a packing shed with a cider press, a barn, Class I soils, some river swimming, and irrigation mainline (no pump). It has been certified organic by CCOF for many years, and current certification ends in 2011. This property is in the flood plain and does not currently have any housing available. A mobile home on the property is rented. A foreclosed home is currently available nearby. Much of the property has been successfully dry-farmed in the past. The location is near three good farmers' markets, and the climate is warmer than many other parts of Humboldt county. It is on the freeway side of the Eel River and has access to 101 (three miles away). There is no electric well pump, but irrigation water can be pumped from the river. Owners will tolerate no cannabis production. Retiring farmer is open to leasing this property, with a future possible sale.


If you're interested in this listing, please be sure to include the property ID number when you contact me to follow up!

Update on Property #1288: Two Acres Available For Partnership in Sebastopol

Here's an update on a property that's been listed for a few months. The landowner has been doing work on it and would like to bring someone else on board to join him! 


Here's the updated listing: 


Sonoma County #1228: Partner sought for a two-acre farming endeavor south of Sebastopol. Owner is looking for farmer for possible joint venture to help develop agricultural potential of land. Land currently fallow, flat, sandy loam with good exposure. Property has a newly-drilled well and a six-foot fence around property. Storage shed on property. Landowner is a fan of Eliot Coleman-type farming and seeks someone who is similarly mechanically inclined. He would also like to collaborate with someone who has skills in sales and marketing. The work is mostly manual -- the only fuel-powered implement currently in use is a walk-behind BCS 725.


If you're interested, please don't forget to provide me with the ID number for this property when you contact me!

Part-Time, Short-Term Farm Job Available in Sebastopol

Landowner/beginning farmer is looking for someone who would like to help with some of the heavy lifting in setting up his farm. This is a part-time job (5 to 20 hours a week) on a week-to-week basis with no guarantees. He's willing to pay the right person $10/hr.  The work would include moving and spreading compost, forming beds, rototilling, weeding, sowing a cover crop and the like. The need is fairly immediate. If you're interested, please contact Lowell at lowell.antze@earthlink.net or (707) 237-7014. 

Biomass Crop Enrollment Deadline Extended Through Sept. 23

(DAVIS, CA) Sept. 15, 2011 -- Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Val Dolcini today announced that Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 is the extended deadline to sign up for participation in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). This extends the original deadline for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program by an additional week for producers in the 17 California counties that are approved for this program.

 “BCAP will create and preserve jobs and help stimulate rural economies,” said Dolcini. “We’re extending the deadline to reach as many farmers and ranchers as possible in those BCAP project areas so this program can have the greatest positive effect in rural California and elsewhere.”

Camelina is the BCAP-approved crop for California producers.  To participate, producers will contract with AltAir Fuels, LLC and Sustainable Oils to process camelina oilseeds to create a sustainable jet fuel product that will be used by the U.S. Navy. Coverage for the camelina crop is available through FSA’s Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) if the coverage is obtained by Oct. 1, 2011.

The Obama Administration is committed to renewable fuels that will increase America's energy independence stated Dolcini.  “BCAP addresses that priority and provides additional biomass production and green energy economic opportunities for rural communities, farmers and ranchers,“ he said.

 BCAP, created in the 2008 Farm Bill, helps farmers and forest land owners with startup costs for planting new energy crops in approved project areas. These crops can take several years to reach maturity until harvest. BCAP is the only federal program that expedites the production of biomass crops to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil, improve domestic energy security, reduce pollution and spur rural job creation.

In California, the BCAP Project Area is sponsored by AltAir Fuels, LLC for a total of up to 25,000 acres in the counties of Butte, Colusa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Riverside, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Solano, Stanislaus, Tehama, Tulare, and Yolo. 

Producers interested in participating in BCAP in these project areas should visit their local FSA county office soon. Information about BCAP may be found online at www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap. Information about AltAir and Sustainable Oils contracts can be obtained from seed distributors Wilbur Ellis at 559-909-0668 or Ag-Seeds Unlimited at 559-730-8400. 

Tolay Twisted Farms Needs Volunteers!

Tolay Twisted Farms, located on the Tolay Lake Regional Park property just SE of Petaluma, needs volunteers to help out at the annual Tolay Fall Festival during the weekends of October 13th-16th and 19th-23rd. Last year 15,000 people came out for the festival to pick up pumpkins and participate in a full range of fun, fall festivities and educational opportunities! 


If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Vince of Tolay Twisted Farms at (707)799-1240 or vtristano321@yahoo.com.

New Purchase Property Near Healdsburg!

I just posted this property on the website. It looks beautiful from the website, though I haven't seen it myself. Please contact the realtor if you're interested. 


Here's the listing (also found here): 


Sonoma County ID#1347: Twelve plus acres for sale off of West Side Road outside of Healdsburg. This property includes approximately 1.5 acres of bottomland on Mill Creek that has been farmed without the use of chemicals for years. Much of the rest of the property is covered in hills and native woodlands. Passive solar 1800 square foot Scandinavian style farmhouse with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths on the property. Some additional sunny hillside for possible orchard or terraced crops. Please see www.2020feltaroad.com for more information and contact the realtor directly. 




Happy farming!

SCUFI/SPIN Workshop in Walnut Creek, October 8-9

Make Money as an Urban Farmer!

Lead Trainer: Curtis Stone, of Green City Acres, Kelowna, BC, Canada.

 Curtis will share how he used SPIN-Farming® to build a multi-lot, 1/2-acre urban farm that in its 2010, six-month first season grossed $20,000, and that’s on track in its 2011 second season to gross over $60,000.

The Sustainable Commercial Urban Farm Incubator (SCUFI) program trains farmers, helps them get farm start up money and urban plots to farm, and an urban farm home to rent or own.

Early registration: $199. After Sept. 24th: $249.

Register: http://www.scufiwalnutcreek.eventbrite.com

One-page workshop flyer

Eight-page workshop brochure

Workshop blog

Questions? Email: urbanfarms@virtuallygreen.com

Saturday, Oct. 8th: Indoor lectures and demonstrations

Sunday, Oct. 9th: Outdoor hands-on field and business exercises

Growing Strawberries With Success Workshop at Bounty Community Farm, September 25th

Sally Carstensen (a.k.a. Sally Strawberry) will be leading a workshop at the Bounty Community Farm (located at 55 Shasta Avenue in Petaluma) called "Growing Strawberries with Success" on Sunday, September 25th. The workshop is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.


Come learn from an expert on Sonoma County strawberry cultivation! You'll learn which varieties to choose, what time of year to plant your strawberries, how much and which types of amendments to use, how much to water, and when to cut runners and blossoms. 


This is a hands-on workshop, so please bring a trowel, sunscreen, and a hat. 


Learn as you do!


For more details, check out Sally's website. You must register on her website by Thursday, September 22nd, as space is limited. 

New Opportunity Four Miles West of Sebastopol!

I just posted a new land opportunity to the website. This would be the perfect situation for two different types of farmers: (1) someone without much experience who would feel more comfortable having an experienced farmer to consult with on-site and (2) a farmer who would like to expand their operation by about an acre or so. It also has potential for someone interested in gradually expanding further into the property. 


Here's the listing (which you can also find here): 


Sonoma County#1346: On a six-acre property, one acre of fenced land is available four miles west of Sebastopol. There is a possibility to expand to another acre on the same property. Pond and gravity-feed irrigation provide plenty of water. This is a three-season farm (too wet in the winter). Retiring farmer worked the land for years with French intensive methods and is interested in a mentorship or consulting with an aspiring farmer. This would be a sublease. Retiring farmer is open to working with the right person to create a situation that would work well for both sides.


Please contact me if you're interested! I will need to know the ID number of the property, so be sure to jot it down. 

Hoop House Building and Season Extension Workshops in Mendocino This October!

The MCGROW Project of North Coast Opportunities and MCFARM invites you to their upcoming workshops titled Build a Hoop House and Season Extension, to be held on October 8th and 9th at the Brookside School Farm in Willits (with presenters Antonia Partridge, Michael Foley and Matthew Tarnoff) and on October 22nd and 23rd at the Noyo Food Forest in Fort Bragg (with presenters Antonia Partridge, Matthew Tarnoff, and John Richardson). 

For more information please contact Antonia Partridge at (707) 272-1395 or apartridge@ncoinc.org

Win $$$ For Your Urban Farm or Garden!

Two Weeks Left to Win $65,000 for Your Urban Farm or Garden 

My colleague Liya just forwarded me an email with this information. I don't know anything more than what this says, but it might be worth looking into!

Two weeks remain to apply and vote for the Gardens for Good contest, hosted on Facebook and sponsored by Nature's Path Organic Foods. The organic breakfast foods and snacks company will award $65,000 in grant funding to help urban farms and community gardens produce fresh organic food. The goal of the contest is to promote healthy, organic, local food systems as a means to food sustainability. Applications are now being accepted atwww.facebook.com/naturespath.

So far, thirty-nine urban farms and gardens from a wide variety of cities have applied, and over 16,000 votes have been recorded. Still, there is plenty of time to submit your idea, invite your friends, family, and colleagues to vote, and earn the grant to make a significant impact on your community. To submit your entry or to vote for other entries, visit the contest page.