Supporting Small Farms

Supporting Small Farms: Article

Biodegradable Plastic Mulch: Is it Right for your Farm?

September 28, 2025
By Manpreet Singh
For decades, growers have relied on conventional polyethylene (PE) plastic mulch for its many benefits as it helps control weeds, conserve soil moisture, warm the soil for earlier harvests, increase crop yield and quality. These advantages have made PE mulch a staple in the production of high-value…
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cover crops
Supporting Small Farms: Article

Cover Crop Selecter, online tool helping Western Region growers to choose cover crops suitable for their farm!

September 22, 2025
By ZinThuZar Maung
Farmers in the Western region including California can select and decide the recommended cover crop which is suitable for their farm by using an online tool and clicking 5 simple steps. The Western Cover Crops Council with a collaboration between Precision Sustainable Agriculture, and the U.S…
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tractor safety training
Supporting Small Farms: Article

Evaluation of Fresno Small Farm’s Equipment Sharing Pilot Program

September 5, 2025
By Marianna J Castiaux
IntroductionThis program was launched in 2019 by the Fresno Small Farms Program, this pilot aimed to address infrastructure gaps in the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Healthy Soils Program (HSP) by providing small farmers with necessary equipment for compost application and cover crop…
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compost
Supporting Small Farms: Article

New Community Education Specialist to assist Climate Smart Agriculture Concerns of Central Valley Small-scale Producers...

September 5, 2025
By Juan P Gonzales
Hi everyone, my name is Juan Gonzales and I recently joined UC ANR as a Community Education Specialist III in Fresno County. My work focuses on helping farmers and ranchers with climate-smart agriculture programs like the Healthy Soils Program (HSP), SWEEP, and AMMP. I work closely with farmers, compost…
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A man harvests vegetables in a sunny field
Supporting Small Farms: Article

New Technical Assistance Program to Support Small Farmers with SGMA Implementation

June 6, 2025
By Erik Rodriguez
Eleven years ago, California passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) to manage groundwater use at the local level and ensure long term sustainability. UC ANR is providing technical assistance to inform and engage small-scale farmers in the San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and the…
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