Growing Roots

06/22/2016

Water efficiency grants for farmers and ranchers - up to $200k! Due August 5th...

The CDFA just opened an $18 million funding round for on-farm projects that provide water savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides grants for activities such as:

- upgrades to more efficient pumps
- conversion to drip
- installation of solar panels to produce renewable energy
- improved water storage and/or recycling
- soil moisture monitoring and scheduling

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/

California Department of Food and Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship

06/21/2016

Go Organic! – An Organic Certification Workshop for Processors in Sonoma ~ June 22nd, 9am-4pm!

Are you thinking of starting an organic food business and want to know more about organic certification? Is your food processing operation looking to expand into organic production? Are you an existing organic processor looking to train new staff in what it takes to manage your business’s organic certification?

If so, join CCOF and Forager Project in Sonoma, California, for a workshop on what it takes to go organic for food processors and handlers. The workshop will start with a review of the nuts and bolts of organic certification by CCOF staff. Then, learn about benefits and challenges of going organic from successful organic processors including speakers from Forager Project, Three Twins Ice Cream, Lundberg Family Farms, and California Olive Oil Co-Packer. In the afternoon, we will tour Cowgirl Creamery’s organic cheese making facility.

Registration: http://bit.ly/1OAvYtT

Join CCOF and Forager Project for a workshop on June 22 to learn what it takes to get your food processing facility certified organic. Are you thinking of starting an organic food business and want to know more about organic certification? Is your food processing operation looking to expand into org...

05/17/2016

Come out to the UC Gill Tract Community Farm on Sunday, June 5th from 1-3 pm for an on-farm food safety workshop.
Learn how to assess and minimize food safety risks on your farm, how to develop your own personalized food safety plan, and other tips and strategies including worker and volunteer training guidelines and other best practices related to food safety on the farm. You will have various tip sheets & templates to take home with you!
To register, please email Jennifer Sowerwine
[email protected] or call: 510-664-7043

03/23/2016

Are you a beginning rancher? Join Growing Roots, Alameda County Resource Conservation District, UC Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Holistic Management International for an introductory course for ranchers looking to learn key whole ranch planning concepts and principles to help them manage their ranch for the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and financial sustainability), alongside more effectively managing their human, financial, and natural resources.

COST: $15
When: 3/30-3/31
RSVP: http://www.acrcd.org/Workshops/HolisticManagementWorkshop.aspx

Specific topics include: the four ecosystem processes, management inventory development, sustainable decision making, grazing management strategies and tools associated with wildlife habitat.

03/14/2016

TONIGHT! FREE Marketing Workshop for Beginning Farmers: Getting Your Products Out!

Join NCAT, Growing Roots, PUENTES and Boggs Tract Community Farm in Stockton, California!

This class builds on the previous introductory marketing class and will focus on developing marketing plans, websites and social media, making marketing connections, marketing decision-making tools and other tips for beginning direct market growers.

Where: PUENTES, 316 N. El Dorado, Stockton Ca 95202
When: 6-8 pm
RSVP: email [email protected]

03/01/2016

Tomorrow! Workshop on the Botany of Plant Science at Soil Born Farms !

This class is geared towards beginning farmers. The 3 hour hands on class will cover the basics of plant science and botany as it applies to farming and farming practices. This class will connect farmers with the basic principles and biological/chemical processes that are the building blocks of their farm ecosystems.

Register here: http://soilborn.org/index.php/events-a-classes/class-registration.html

*PLUS* let them know you're a beginning farmer/heard about this workshop through Growing Roots and you'll get in for free!

02/25/2016

Congratulations to ALBA, one of the Learning Hubs we work with, on the recent donation they received! Expect more great things from ALBA!

When representatives of Wells Fargo Bank come to Salinas tomorrow to present a $47,500 check to the Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA), it will be routine for Wells

02/18/2016

In addition to offering unique apprenticeships in sustainable agriculture on an urban community farm, Soil Born Farms, one of our Learning Hub Partners, is training the youngest next generation of farmers! Join them for their "A Garden in Every School Symposium" coming up on February 27th and 28th!

Click on the link below for more information.

We’ve planned an inspiring weekend for you! Network with like-minded teachers, parents, garden designers, community leaders, school garden...

02/17/2016

How can we support you, farmers? What workshops, resources, events, do you need to succeed as a beginning farmer in the East and South Bay?

Most farmers don't decide to leave their farms lightly—but sometimes it's the only economic choice that makes sense.

02/12/2016

Looking for quality ? Attend the California Small Farm Conference March 5 - 8 in casmallfarm.org

02/10/2016

Our latest updates on upcoming workshops and events in the East and South Bay Area is available now!