This past Saturday, February 22^nd, SFREC hosted a forum focused on the future of farming and ranching in the Sierra foothills.

A number of local leaders involved with agriculture worked closely with SFREC for several months planning this event and the day showed it was time and energy well spent.

About sixty members of surrounding communities in Nevada, Placer, Yuba, and Sutter counties made it out to UC SFREC for a day of learning, interaction with professionals, and networking. For the vast majority of the attendees, this was their first introduction to SFREC and the UC Research and Extension Center system.

The speakers offered insightful and useful information that engaged the entire audience. Jamie Johansson, Second Vice President of the California Farm Bureau and owner of Lodestar Farms, kick started the conversations by speaking about the opportunities and challenges of farming in the foothills. Dan Macon, representing Placer County UCCE and Flying Mule Farm, offered logical business planning strategies from a personal and professional perspective.

Paul Glowaski, Sue Hoek, Matthew Shapero, Matt Wentz, and Chris Bierwagon are all local producers from a variety of backgrounds who spoke about their experiences and offered advice for beginning farmers and ranchers. Shermain Hardesty, head of the UC Small Farms Program and Extension Economist, presented material to help farmers stay in business. Elisa Noble from the Placer Resource Conservation District talked about programs and knowledge tools available for beginning agriculturists.

A significant aspect of this event focused on incorporating local youth. We were able to help partner students from high schools in the region with a few of the producer-presenters prior to the forum. This additional opportunity enabled a more profound learning experience for students interested in the future of farming and ranching.

At the event, students presented information about their visit with a local producer, and other key principles discussed (targeted grazing, predator control, artificial insemination, managing for rangeland health, etc.).

There was a DELICIOUS locally sourced lunch with juicy tri-trip, salads, bread, and lavender sweets. Briar Patch co-op in Grass Valley also donated coffee and pastries for the event. Local ag and natural resource conservation groups brought educational materials to share. Attendees enjoyed the beautiful weather and slowly greening rangeland on a brief tour of the center.

Overall, it was a successful event that kindled connections with the community and opened the door for future cooperative efforts.

For ranchers in most parts of the state the 2013-2014 drought is shaping up to be one of the most serious forage situation in memory. As an example, forage data at UC SFREC showed that dryland range at the Center only produced about 40 pounds per acre through fall and the end of December.

On average, forage production during this period should be around 500 pounds per acre so we have over 10 times less feed than we normally should.

In response to these serious forage conditions, the University of California Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, in cooperation with UCCE Advisors, UC Davis faculty and industry partners, are putting the final touches on the January 29th meeting that will discuss practical tools and strategies for reducing drought impacts on ranching enterprises.

Drought management and mitigation is a complex topic and this day-long event takes a comprehensive look at a range of linked issues including making the most of what you have on dryland and irrigated pasture, the economics and nutritional aspects of supplementation, animal health and making culling decisions, tax, NAP and insurance. Registration is close to capacity but will remain open until capacity is reached. For those that cannot attend in person, the program will be broadcast on the web.  You can register to attend (here) and see the updated agenda (here).

On Tuesday, September 10^th, community leaders representing multiple agriculture and conservation groups met at the Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center to help structure a forum to be held in February 2014. Advisory members include staff from multiple organizations and agencies, including NRCS, Farm Bureau, UCCE, and Cattlemen's. Additionally, individual producers, business owners, RCD administrators, teachers, and entrepreneurs involved with local agriculture have contributed input to ensure this forum will provide meaningful information in a useful format.

In a nutshell, SFREC aims to bring together past, present, and future agriculturists and conservationists in the region who have an interest in discussing the opportunities and challenges associated with farming and ranching in this area and where the industry is headed in the coming years. The intended outcomes include:

• A compelling contribution to the existing extension efforts to create connections and interest in agriculture
• A tool to promote and enable the transfer of knowledge and skills from seasoned professionals to those entering and planning a career pathway in farming and ranching
• An enhanced awareness of the role of local agriculture in a broader sense

The involvement of youth is a central component of the forum. Through collaboration with farmers, ranchers, and agency representatives, high-school aged students from adjacent counties will learn and share information about specific topics under the theme of “The Future of Farming and Ranching in the Sierra Foothills”.

“As a retired ag teacher, I have seen the struggle that students experience between simply having the desire to go into farming or ranching, and grasping the realistic details involved with that livelihood. Working with local producers who have the first-hand experience and know-how will be a great learning opportunity for our future agriculturists,” said Karen Henderson, advisory committee member and Live Wire Products representative. 

Be on the lookout for more information and marketing flyers for this inaugural event at the Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center.

Water - the focus of countless issues, headlines, and studies - is arguably a more precious resource than gold.

Dependence on water application ranges far and wide in today's thirsty society – from drinking to sanitation to agriculture. This valuable resource needs to be managed efficiently to ensure each drop is spread the furthest.

Individuals involved with the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources are actively evaluating management practices to ensure and develop water-wise irrigation methods.  At the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, many research projects have focused on water quality, runoff, and irrigation efficiency. A current project led by Livestock Farm Advisor Larry Forero monitors surface runoff and soil moisture content in flood irrigated pastures at SFREC.

The goal of this project is to ultimately estimate the efficiency of a “wild flood” surface irrigation system so practical opportunities for reducing irrigation water use can be suggested without impacting production. Gary Childers, staff member and key irrigator at SFREC for over 30 years, frequently collects data from watermark sensors located at various points across two pastures. The sensors are at depths of 6”, 12”, and 24”. A key component of this project compares the amount of water delivered to the site with the amount of tailwater leaving the pasture. All irrigation water at SFREC is received via pipeline or channeled through ditches by the Brown's Valley Irrigation District, fed from Collins Lake.

Although over 100 miners inches (2.5 cf/s) are purchased annually by SFREC, sustainable water utilization methods are executed. “Nearly every application of irrigation water is used at least twice, but as many as four times – just on this property. Once the water leaves, additional uses occur but are unknown,” explained Childers.

Gold may be in high demand - with the current value exceeding $1320 per ounce - but once water becomes scarce, it is truly priceless. By taking the initiative to research innovative water management practices and develop a better understanding of sustainable irrigation methods, SFREC and the entire UCANR division are enabling water availability and conservation for the future.