We are in the throes of a devastating year for fire in California, as well as much of the western United States. Yet fire need not be a universally maligned force. For millennia, California’s indigenous peoples used fire as a tool in practices of traditional burning. Fire can be used as a tool to eradicate invasive weeds, help restore native plant communities, and reduce the intensity of wildfires when they occur. Landowners and communities are increasingly recognizing this, and coming together to share tools, resources, knowledge, and labor. And federal agencies are...Read more
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Since the start of the pandemic, many social entrepreneurs have focused on linking surplus food from farmers with hunger relief efforts. New programs have begun, and existing ones have been expanded. In the second part of this webinar series, we will examine the practicalities and politics of these farm to food bank programs. We’ll explore whether these are good markets for farmers, and ultimately whether they make for good nutrition assistance as well. We’ll talk with leaders in the field to hear their perspectives. Tuesday, September 29, 2020 12:00- 1:00 pm PDT...Read more
Saturday, Sept 12 | 10am - 3:30pm Before summer ends, come pick organic strawberries, blackberries, and red, yellow, and orange raspberries at JSM Organics on Saturday, September 12. Harvest your own or visit Javier's pop-up market offering all of the above plus fresh cut flowers, mix vegetables, and jam. Make a reservation for this EcoFarm fundraiser and we'll see you at Javier's!Read more
Who : Hosted by Eliza Frey, assistant winemaker at Frey and Nicky Coachman-Robinson, founder of Kwaya Cellars,Ltd. When : Wednesday, September 30th | 4:00 - 5:30pm PST. Where : Anywhere with a good wifi connection! What : Frey's new private label, Organic Kwaya* wines will be mailed to you and your socially distancing friends to taste in the in the privacy of your own home. Kick back and enjoy these unique wines while learning about Organic viticulture and wine making. Meet with other virtual wine tasters in small breakout rooms to share your tasting notes and network...Read more
Reimagining Our Future Mark your calendars for January 20-23, 2021. Get ready for an EcoFarm Conference unlike any before as we will convene online for our 41st event! We're very sad that we won't be able to get together in person, due to the pandemic. But we're also excited about the possibilities that this year's event will bring us. There will still be inspiring keynotes, educational workshops, skill-building pre-conferences, epic networking, and even a virtual trade show where you can connect with exhibitors. There will be meaningful opportunities to participate...Read more
How are government programs working with farmers to feed more people and minimize food waste? In recent months, the USDA and state agencies have supported the purchase of food from farmers as a way to feed those who are unemployed and to reduce food waste. Even before the pandemic, some food banks were buying food from farmers. This webinar offers an exploration of participation in these new and old programs and their effect on USDA nutrition policy. Join in to hear this conversation with farmers and experts in food policy and food equity. Tuesday, July 28 12:00 - 1:...Read more
EcoFarm stands in solidarity with Black communities and People of Color in grieving and protesting the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbaury and so many other African Americans at the hands of systemic racism and police brutality. To some, this may seem outside of EcoFarm’s mission. We disagree. We believe that racism and capitalism are intertwined. The racism that allows the police to brutalize and harass the Black community is part and parcel of the economic system that leads to the destruction of ecosystems and exploitation of workers in the food...Read more
Watch CAFF's Webinar Video Recording from April, 2020 Download "COVID-19 On-Farm Food Safety Best Practices & FAQs" PDF EcoFarm and CAFF present an interactive webinar addressing food safety in the time of Covid, offering ways to make your operation safer as well as an opportunity to communicate with other farmers over what shifts and pivots they have experienced and what is working. The webinar will start with a short overview of current food safety related issues and then move to break out groups, ending with some time for Q & A. All are welcome, please join...Read more
June is the month to celebrate LGBTQAI+ farmers and ranchers as we commemorate the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Join us for storytelling and connection with Karen Washington of Rise & Root Farm, Edgar Xochitl of Hummingbird Farm, and Thea Maria Carlson of Biodynamic Association. Saturday, June 20 4:00 - 5:30pm PT Presenters: Karen Washington of Rise & Root Farm Karen Washington is a Black and queer women working to reclaim farming and the freedom it brings. She is the founder of Rise & Root Farm and has spent decades promoting urban farming as a way...Read more
Globally we are fast-moving more toward a technologized society as the Covid-19 pandemic has shown in medicine, education and the way we work. Agriculture too is at the forefront of this revolution with a fledgling sector called agtech. Farmers challenged by climate change, labor shortage, water and land supply shortage and the depletion of arable land, have already been steadily turning to innovation and technology such as blockchain, automation and robotics. Come join a special panel moderated by Amy Wu that will feature women entrepreneurs who are creating...Read more