- Author: Chris M. Webb
Did you know there are over 81,000 farms in California? Over 100 specialty crops are grown on these farms.
Partnering in part with UC’s Small Farm Agricultural Tourism Directory, the California Agricultural Almanac is an interactive and user-friendly website that helps viewers learn more about foods grown in California.
At the site viewers can learn about:
- Agricultural places
- Where and when crops are grown
- Where farms are located, and how farmers can add their farm to the database
- Farm fresh markets throughout the sate
- Workshops, farm tours, tastings and other California farm events
- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC’s Small Farm Program, with the help of a grant from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Professional Development Program for California, will hold a daylong professional development workshop on November 4, 2011 in Stockton, California.
To date, California agritourism development has been primarily organized at the county and regional levels. Several states have organized statewide agritourism associations. The workshop “will help explore the relationships and benefits involved in both statewide agritourism programs and local/regional agritourism programs”.
The workshop is specifically designed for agritourism operators; agricultural, tourism and community development professionals; county staff and officials; and others involved in California agritourism.
For more information, please contact Penny Leff of UC’s Small Farm Program.
Those interested in visiting a farm or ranch may find a wide assortment of places to visit at the UC California Agritourisim Directory website.
Agricultural operators can list their agritourism offerings on the same site at no cost.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
A new 10 week session of the online course, Agritourism Development: Selling the Experience, Supporting the Farm, Building the Community, will be offered in early October through UC Davis Extension.
In partnership with the UC Small Farm Program, “the course examines the growing demand for agritourism and the expectations of agritourists and works with students to assess local opportunities, create a plan, develop and market an agritourism enterprise, and to collaborate with others in the community for success."
More information can be found at the UC Davis Extension website or by contacting the instructor, Penny Leff.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
In addition to producing food many farmers, especially small-scale producers, are also responsible for selling and marketing their products. Agricultural product marketing can include selling to wholesalers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and direct marketing to consumers.
UC’s Small Farm Program has a collection of marketing resources on their website. Topics include:
- Determining marketing costs
- Direct marketing and quality control
- Cooperatives
- Adding value
- Risk management
- Estimating the potential market for specific crops
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Community Supported Agriculture or CSAs are a partnership between farmers and consumers. Consumers buy shares in the farms production and receive weekly boxes of products which are ready for market.
This partnership provides consumers with super-fresh, in season produce at very reasonable prices. It is an easy way for consumers to improve nutrition and health. Farmers receive a bit of predictability in their largely unpredictable ventures. This predictability greatly helps them sustain their businesses.
In addition to being positive for consumers and farmers alike, CSAs are beneficial to our local economy. All positive attributes work together to strengthen our local food system.
Below you will see the four CSAs operating in Venture County, our office is currently aware of -- listed in alphabetical order. Please take some time to learn about them and consider becoming a member. These partnerships are a winning situation for all of us.
Join the Farm! is a faith-based organization rooted in the belief that everyone should have access to healthy food. In addition to weekly (or bi-weekly) boxes of produce Join the Farm! offers recipes, volunteer opportunities, and welcomes people to come connect with their farm and farmers. Food grown at Join the Farm! is certified organic.
McGrath Family Farm has a goal to grow as many things as possible in a season. This goal is not only beneficial to customers but also to their sustainable growing methods. The McGrath Family has been farming in the community for five generations. All McGrath Family Farm produce is organically and sustainably grown.
Rio Gozo Farm grows food year round for their members. They provide recipes, potluck parties at the farm, and volunteer opportunities. This CSA farm is operated in the Ojai Valley. All their produce is organically grown.
Underwood Family Farms operates year round. Members are eligible for private farm tours, free and reduced admission to farm events, and recipes. They offer two sized boxes for members to choose from. Underwood Family Farms has locations in Somis and Moorpark.
If you know of other CSAs operating in Ventura County, please contact our office so we can include them in a future post!