California FarmLink North Coast Changes!

Happy Friday to you all! 

Today is (temporarily) my last day at California FarmLink before I embark on maternity leave. When I return in January, I'll play a different role within the organization and may not be as involved in the North Coast goings-on. I'm pleased to be leaving this region in the very capable hands of Ariana Reguzzoni, who will be monitoring this blog from now on and who will be taking the North Coast helm on Monday (9/17). Just in case you missed my email introduction to Ariana, please read below to learn more about her! 

"I'm very excited to be joining the FarmLink team! I've worked on farms in Marin and Sonoma County for the past three years and recently co-founded Chica Bloom Farm, an organic cut-flower operation in Petaluma.   I've also worked as a journalist, covering food and agriculture issues.  I have a Masters in journalism from UC Berkeley and I'm a graduate of the Ecological Horticulture Program and Community Studies Department at UC Santa Cruz, which I think will all come in handy in this new role.  I'm looking forward to working with all of you!"


It's been such a pleasure working with you all, and I look forward to reconnecting in 2013. 

Best of luck to you all, and take care. 

Molly 

Entrepreneurial Training Course Offered This Fall At Sonoma/Marin Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

In this competitive business environment do you spend all your time working inyour business and not enough time working on your business? Join over 16,000 successful entrepreneurs nationwide and sign up for the Santa Rosa SBDC’s Fall 2012 NxLeveL™ Entrepreneurial Training course. It is a chance to focus on refining your business venture to accomplish your dreams.  
 
The NxLeveL™ Entrepreneur course includes interactive panel discussions, presentations by industry experts and work with experienced business mentors to show you how to implement new and effective strategies in your day-to-day operations and also includes the topics of leadership, market research, financial management, sales, organizational structure and effective negotiations.
 
The course is 12 weeks and costs $275.00  plus $100 for the workbook and materials. Read more or sign up for the free orientation here:http://santarosasbdc.org/nxlevel

Bodega Property Has Housing Available Oct/Nov 2012

Hey folks! 

This property has been listed on our website for awhile and will soon have housing available (it didn't have any housing previously). 

Please send Ariana (our new Regional Coordinator) the ID number if you are interested in pursuing this property. If you have not yet filled out the beginning farmer intake form on our website, please make sure you do that first before you contact her! 

Here is the listing:

Sonoma County ID #1155: Large ranch in Bodega is leasing out a very small orchard in exchange for care, as well as 4-6 non-continguous acres for row crop, bee, fruit tree, or flower production. Owner would like to see the property kept in production. Along with the land for lease, this large ranch supports a sheep ranch and a biodynamic Pinot Noir vineyard. The water that supplies this large ranch is primarily sourced from springs that have been developed. Property includes a new modular 3BR/2BA home for rent starting late October/early November 2012. Home rental is $2000/month, plus utilities. A farmer can certainly lease the property without renting the home. 

Urgent Action Needed to Save Beginning Farmer Programs!

This is it: it’s make-or-break time for the 2012 Farm Bill. 

What’s on the table?

• Hands-on training and tools for beginning farmers and ranchers.
• Support for cutting-edge organic and sustainable research. 
• New infrastructure – like ‘food hubs’ and innovative marketing tools – that helps farmers take advantage of ever-growing demand for local and regional food. 
• … and more!

These are the programs in the bill that give farmers – and their allies in your community – the tools to grow and succeed, and to harness economic opportunities across the nation. 

Unless Congress takes action, these programs will expire on September 30 and hundreds of millions of dollars for sustainable agriculture, economic development, and beginning farmer support will literally disappear. 

We can’t let this happen on our watch.

Help us tell Congress this is unacceptable – take just 5 minutes to call your Representative and Senators today! Click here!

The message is simple:  “Don’t walk away from America’s farmers and ranchers.  Pass the 2012 Farm Bill and fully fund farm bill programs forbeginning farmers, local food, organic agriculture, and rural jobs that expire on September 30 – programs that create jobs in rural communities, help farmers seize market opportunities, and invest in the next generation of farmers.”

Click here to get your Rep and Senators’ contact information.

Your message TODAY matters – thank you for taking action!

Action Alert: Support the Climate Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture!

Good news! The California legislature recently passed Assembly Bill 1532. The bill, authored by Assembly Speaker John Pérez, develops a fair and transparent public process for investing public funds from California’s new greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program. Now we need Governor Jerry Brown to sign into law AB 1532. Please call the Governor today!

Thanks to a coalition of sustainable agriculture organizations, farmers and environmental allies, among the eligible activities for funding are sustainable farming and ranching practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon. Future funding for farmers and ranchers to address climate change will make all the difference in supporting sustainable food and farming in California in the years to come.

Now we need your help to urge Governor Brown to sign the bill into law.

Please call Governor Brown today to ask him to sign into law AB 1532. Make your voice heard and support sustainable agricultural solutions to climate change. It's easy to call and it takes only 90 seconds.

1. Call (916) 445-2841. The voicemail prompts will ask you to dial 1 to speak to a representative in English, dial 2 to speak to a representative in Spanish. Then dial 6 to speak directly to a staff member.

2. The message is simple:
“My name is ____ and I’m calling from (Town/City). I am calling to ask Governor Brown
to sign into law AB 1532, the cap-and-trade revenue bill. AB 1532 will help California reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide important resources for the state's farmers and ranchers to address climate change, and will support investment in the clean energy economy."

3. Please let us know you called. Drop us a line to: info@calclimateag.org.

4. Forward this to your friends and colleagues.

For more information, see: http://calclimateag.org/cap-and-trade-revenue-for-ag/

Background:
Under cap-and-trade, large industrial emitters of greenhouse gases will have to hold permits to emit greenhouse gas emissions. In the first years of the program most of those permits will be given away for free, but ten percent of the permits will be sold at auction. The revenue from the auctions will go towards activities that help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as renewable energy projects, public transportation, home weatherization and sustainable agricultural practices that provide climate benefits.

The California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) has been leading the effort to include sustainable agriculture in AB 1532, arguing that sustainable farming and ranching practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon, as well as provide a host of other environmental and health benefits.

This is a critical moment to make sure this bill becomes law and, ultimately, provides necessary resources for the state’s farmers and ranchers to address climate change through research, technical assistance, financial incentives and farmland protection.

Marin Organic's Glean Team Seeks Volunteers!

I received this in an email from Marin Organic. If anyone's interested, this sounds like fun!

____________

It's no secret that school lunch programs everywhere need support to effectively nourish students with the best possible foods on very limited resources. Community gleaning initiatives across the country have become an integral part of the solution for school lunches, food pantries, and community centers. In Marin County, CA, every Wednesday afternoon, the Marin Organic Glean Team harvests extra foods from the fields of Marin Organic member farms for local schools and community centers, enabling kids throughout the county to eat local organic foods!  

  

The Marin Organic Glean Team harvests extras every Wednesday

from 4:00pm to 6:00pm followed by a community picnic potluck.  

Bring garden gloves if you'd like, food to share, and a plate, cup & fork. 

No RSVP required.  Carpooling is encouraged.

 Join us on Sept 12th at Green Gulch Farm!   

1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach, CA

 http://marinorganic.org/producers/producers_green_gulch.html  

- From 101, take the Hwy 1/Stinson Beach exit.

- Turn left at Proof Lab Surf Shop and the Arco gas station onto Hwy 1.

- Follow the green Hwy 1/Stinson Beach signs up the hill.

- After 2.5 miles the road forks - bear left and down towards Muir Beach.

- After 2 more miles turn left into the driveway at the large wooden sign

that reads "Zen - Center/Green Gulch Farm/Wheelwright Center."

(If you're at Muir Beach, you've gone ½ miles too far.)

- Park in the upper lot of Green Gulch.

- Look for Marin Organic and Glean Team signs.

- Feeling lost? Call Scott at 831.359.9852.

- Here's a map: http://tinyurl.com/GreenGulchFarm  

Upcoming CCOF Marketing/Sales Webinars!

Marketing 101 Webinar

September 26, 2012, 9:30-11:00 a.m. PDT*   

Learn the basics of how to bring your product to market from leading organic market experts, including the benefits and pitfalls of working with different market channels. This webinar includes a self-assessment tool to help you determine the right market channels for your operation. Speakers include Dina Izzo, founder of Bludog Organic Produce Services; and Jeff Bordes, marketing director of Frog Hollow Farm. Register now.

Sales Basics Webinar

October 3, 2012, 9:30-11:00 a.m. PDT*   

This webinar includes tips and tricks on how to determine a fair price for an organic product, create an availability list, and create an invoice. Participants will receive a template prior to the webinar to draft a sales pitch, and a chance to practice the pitch live with our expert presenter. Speakers include Dina Izzo, founder of Bludog Organic Produce Services. Register now.

* Register now to receive a discount on attending both webinars. 

originally from EcoFarm's listserve

Meet Cathy Carlson, the new Food Safety Program Manager at CAFF

From the EcoFarm newsletter: 

Cathy Carlson is new at the Community Alliance with Family Farms and EFA wanted to introduce her to you!

From Cathy:
My job focuses on assisting family farmers with preparing food safety plans for their farms, including addressing the requirements of the Food Safety
Modernization Act once it is released. My work is currently funded by
a Specialty Crop Block Grant from USDA.  We at CAFF are working on providing small and mid-sized farmers with food safety (FS) plan assistance in the form of:

* WebLinks through our CAFF website:  resources and references through our CAFF website - CAFF is currently in the final stages of preparing this, and we hope to have these pages up on our website in the next week or two.  Sample titles of some page are; FSMA, GAPs, 3rd party audits and auditors, training sections (eg. handwashing), co-management, etc.

* In person visits: One-on-one (on farm) assistance to farmers with their food safety plan. If they have not started one yet, we are encouraging them to visit:  www.onfarmfoodsafety.org and to contact me directly with questions they have at any stage of their plan development.  If they already have a FS plan and have questions, they can contact me directly as well. 

* Audit readiness: for those who have a food safety plan, I can 
provided them with an on site mock audit and/or updates to their
plan as part of their annual review.

* FS plan as a marketing tool: Having a FS plan before it is required by FSMA will help a farmer market their products to buyers, possibly reduce their insurance costs, and ease their transition into FSMA requirements when they are released.

* Cost is offset to farmer: Our CDFA Specialty Crop grant will offset  the costs of creating a FS plan as my assistance to farmers is covered by this grant.  CAFF encourages membership priority.  
Visit the CAFF.org website to learn more!

Hoes Down Harvest Celebration at Full Belly Farm, October 6-7

Saturday & Sunday, October 6 - 7, at Full Belly Farm in Guinda, CA, is the epic, two-day celebration of the harvest season.  Hoes Down offers an opportunity to enjoy rural life on an organic family farm with educational tours, workshops, hay rides, food, music, kid's arts and crafts, nature walks, storytelling, games, a petting zoo, and terrific contests! There will be a great music line up featuring the California Honey Drops and Diego's Umbrella.  Other all-ages activities include hands-on workshops, craft booths, farmers' market, farm tours, dancing, and much more.

Click here to register or for more information.

See you there to celebrate 25 years!

National Young Farmers' Coalition's New Western Organizer

Hey folks! 

I'm not sure how many of you are looped into the National Young Farmers' Coalition's network, but it's really worthwhile if you are interested in checking them out. They just recently hired a new Western Organizer, Regina, and she has written a lovely letter to all the farmers in the West, reaching out to see how she can be most helpful. Read the full letter here, and sign up to receive their newsletters!

Santa Rosa Certified Farmers' Market Seeks Market Manager

Wednesday 8:30 am - Noon
Saturday 8:30 am 1 pm
www.thesantarosafarmersmarket.com
info@thesantarosafarmersmarket.com

The Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market is hiring a market manager. Please send your resume to: libbybatzel@gmail.com.

Market Manager's Mission

1. To create a strong, vibrant market that is well organized, dynamic and fun.

2. To create a market that the community feels part of and supports enthusiastically.

3. To manage a market that is profitable for the vendors by maintaining a well balanced variety of high quality, interesting products.

Job Responsibilities

1. Planning, preparation and operation of two markets a week consisting of one market on Wednesday with 15 to 30 vendors and one on Saturday consisting of 60 to 80 vendors.

2. Layout of the markets, and allocating spaces to regular vendors and occasional sellers.

3. Interacting with the public and the vendors at each market, answering questions about availability of products, and trouble shooting problems that might arise during the market.

4. Oversight of weekly advertising programs that may include writing and recording scripts, and recording live weekly radio conversations.

5. Working with the market farm inspector as a liaison to all state and local regulators and inspectors and keeping current with all Health and Agricultural Department regulations and insuring market compliance.

6. Working with community organizations to create market related support groups.

7. Record keeping, collection of fees, reviewing applications, and responding to telephone inquiries of both vendors and customers.

8. Working with the Board of Directors on the planning and preparation of special events.

9. Writing monthly news letters to vendors and promoting consumer awareness through news letters to customers.

10. Attending monthly board meetings and presenting a managers report.

11. Visiting farms and businesses of vendors to further understand the nature of their products and the work it takes to get products to market. 

originally from EcoFarm's listserve

One Acre Available for Lease Near Sebastopol!

I just posted an interesting purchase opportunity on our website and wanted to share it all with you. 

Please send me the ID number if you are interested in pursuing this property. If you have not yet filled out the beginning farmer intake form on our website, please make sure you do that first before you contact me! 

Here is the listing:

Sonoma County ID#1426: One Acre Available for Lease Near Sebastopol. Landowner prefers an organic farmer interested in raising mixed produce, livestock, and/or bees. Property is mostly flat, with some gentle slopes, and includes a well with 8 GPM, and landowner prefers to work with someone who focuses on water conservation services and/or dry-farming techniques. There is potential for small storage spaces on the property. No housing is currently available, but there may be some possibilities in the future. No smokers and no cannabis production. Dogs are welcome.

Tara Firma Farms (Petaluma) Seeks Pastured Poultry Manager

Pastured Poultry (Broiler, Layer & Turkeys) Manager

Tara Firma set out to replicate Joel Salatin’s Model for producing healthy, happy, nutritious livestock in a pasture based system. In just 3years we have: evolved our production systems (to better fit our micro-climate), built a one thousand member CSA food delivery program, a full diet food distribution company, a farm store, a destination for our friends and neighbors, community. By joining our team as our new Poultry Manager, you will be nourishing a lot more than a few thousand chickens. You will be building soil and joining an incredible community.

Position Summary:

Tara Firma Farms is in the business of re-nativizing the grasslands of Northern California. We believe through high density grazing and a small arsenal of other tactics we can sequester carbon and build top soil at a monumental rate. In doing so we create an environment where native flora and fauna (particularly perennial grasses) can thrive. Modeling Salatin methods we know that raising other species of livestock alongside the cattle allows us to not only expedite our land restoration efforts, but also create healthy, happy, nutritious animals and earn more $ per acre.

Our chickens and cattle have numerous ways in which they benefit each other and contribute to our omnipresent farm goals. As Poultry Manager you will lead and be responsible for the following:

• Strategic planning of our laying flock, broiler and turkey production.
• Day to day management including staff when you are not working.
• The well being and living conditions of the birds while they are alive and the taste and nutrition of their economic bi-product when they are harvested.
• Proper management and planning of bird rotation alongside the rest of the farms activities.
• Quality, sustainability, infrastructure
• Profitability
• You will likely have to work some weekends, early mornings, and possibly split shifts depending on your personal logistical situation.
• You will be performing farm chores related to the poultry that includes physical labor, plumbing, carpentry and common sense.

You will be taking direction from our current poultry manager who will be transitioning to another position, but will always be contributing to your success. You will be working as the leader in your assigned area but are part of a larger team that works closely together to accomplish strategic planning, success is all areas and building strong ties to the community.

Compensation:

• Commensurate with experience and relative to the other pay scales on the farm
• Health benefits after 3
• ½ price on Tara Firma Products
• Potential Living space if available
• Profit Sharing based on contribution

If interested please apply… 

To Apply:

Follow these directions exactly or you will not be considered, thanks! 

DO NOT CONTACT THE FARM DIRECTLY OR YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. 

Please email Byron@tarafirmafarms.com and Keating@tarafirmafarms.com and attach a cover letter that includes your five-year vision, three references and any other relevant skills you have that would be applicable to our operation. We look forward to receiving your application and vision as we hope to figure out how to engage your passions here while at the same time having you be part of the dream of the farm come true.