By James Nakahara The clocks have just fallen back, and we now find ourselves with more darkness in the evenings, giving all of us that work in horticulture more time to read, ponder, and plan out next years crop plan, which things did well, which did not, and all the minor tweaks and corrections that will surely follow. Amidst the ample hours of our much needed respite from the hot long days of summer, I would encourage us all to do some light reading. Orin Martin who has spent the last 4 decades working at the Chadwick Garden at UCSC has recently completed in...Read more
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Today marks my six-week anniversary as executive director at EcoFarm. Although I’m still a newbie to the internal workings of the organization, it has become obvious that EcoFarm holds a special place in many people’s hearts. It is a treasured organization that has done so much to foster a sense of community among the tens of thousands of people who have come to Asilomar to attend its conferences over the past 40 years. While we celebrate our beloved community, we still must ask who has been excluded from enjoying the benefits of organic and regenerative agriculture,...Read more
The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) presents the 40th annual EcoFarm Conference January 22 - 25, 2020 in Pacific Grove, CA. Building upon its farmer-to-farmer education model, EcoFarm is an essential networking and educational hub for ecologically-minded farmers, ranchers, and all who work to support their success in growing a healthy food system and world. EcoFarm is the oldest and largest organic farming conference in the West, featuring 70+ workshops, intensives, keynotes, farm tours, an exhibitor marketplace, tastings, seed swaps, mentorships, and organic...Read more
Submit your favorite portrait photos to be featured in a show curated for the 40th EcoFarm Conference! The show, Who We Are: Farmers in Their Own Image, is intended to reflect our common circumstances and to recognize our shared identity as we feed our communities far and wide. The photos will be featured at EcoFarm's Opening Night Art Show on Wednesday, January 22 and at another forum during the conference. Instagram and social media have provided farmers and ranchers an opportunity to communicate internationally with one another in a way that has never been possible...Read more
- By Sean Bettles, EcoFarm 2019 Scholarship Awardee I work with the White Buffalo Land Trust in Summerland, California and I also manage a 4 acre Valencia orchard in Ojai, California – which means I do most of the labor myself except I hire a crew to help me harvest the fruit. At White Buffalo, I work with a team to transition 12 acres of mono-culture avocados to a diverse, climate appropriate farm. We practice, develop and promote systems of regenerative agriculture while also engaging in scientific research, education and training. This last year was my third trip...Read more
Wed, Jan 22 | 8:00 - 9:45pm Visionaries in the Field: Weaving Together Ecology and Equity Leah Penniman Soul Fire Farm Leah Penniman is a Black Kreyol educator, farmer/peyizan, author, and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY. She co-founded Soul Fire Farm in 2011 and has been farming since 1996. Leah is part of a team that facilitates powerful food sovereignty programs - including farmer training for Black & Brown people, a subsidized farm food distribution program for communities living under food apartheid, and domestic and international...Read more
By Sam Earnshaw At the 2019 EcoFarm Conference, over 200 attendees signed individual postcards to the attention of Governor Newsom and Jered Blumenfeld, Secretary of CalEPA, to demand changes from our top state officials to eliminate toxic poisons from agriculture. The effort was organized by Margaret Reeves and Mehda Chandra of Pesticide Action Network (PAN), Mark Weller and Sarait Martinez of Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), and EcoFarm's Steve Sprinkel, Sam Earnshaw, and Amigo Bob Cantisano - a key contributor to this legislative postcard effort. We...Read more
June 27, 2019 - Soquel, CA – As the organization ramps up for its 40th year anniversary, the Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) is thrilled to announce Andy Fisher as its new Executive Director. The selection was made after an extensive national candidate search process. Andy Fisher has been a leading force in the food security and food justice movement in the US for the past 25 years. He co-founded and led the primary American food systems alliance, the Community Food Security Coalition, for 17 years. During that time, he led campaigns to gain passage of...Read more
The Organic Stone Fruit Jubilee features fruit tasting and buying of fresh produce from local small farms that specialize in growing delicious varieties of nectarines, peaches, plums, pluots, and other specialty stone fruits. Enjoy a bus tour of nearby farms prior to the event including a pick-your-own experience. There are kid-friendly activities as well as food and beverage booths. Educational talks on Essential Oil Safety and Pollinators as well as Farmer Talks in the Tent Area ensure there is something for everybody. This event not only treats the taste buds, but...Read more
“Integrating Cannabis into Your Farming System” was a well attended workshop presented at EcoFarm Conference that featured cannabis growers Daniel Stein of Briceland Forest Farm and Josh and Sandra Khankhanian of Moon Gazer Farms. Both presenters shared insights and tips on incorporating cannabis into a farming operation including growing methods, seed sourcing, soil fertility, and regulations. Photo credit: Moon Gazer Farms Daniel Stein grows cannabis and diversified vegetables on his Briceland Forest Farm in Humboldt County. He has three separate zones on his farm,...Read more