Helping Small Farms Thrive in the Central Valley
Small Farms, Big Obstacles
Farming in California’s Central Valley isn’t easy - especially for smaller operations. From rising equipment costs to shifting regulations and competitive markets, small-scale farmers face mounting pressures. Many lack access to the resources that larger farms rely on to stay efficient and profitable.
F3 Local partners with small-scale and historically underserved farmers to level the playing field. Whether you’re growing on five acres or fifty, we provide:
Access to shared tools and equipment
Connections to university researchers, engineers, and agtech innovators
Training on sustainable farming practices
Field demonstrations of small farm equipment and technologies
Business support for compliance, marketing, and growth
Opportunities to connect with new local buyers and institutions
We meet you where you are and help you build toward where you want to go.
Relevant Programs
SF-ADAPT
A collaborative network connecting farmers, researchers, engineers, and agtech developers to co-create tools that are affordable, scalable, and effective for small farms
Equipment Lending Library
Borrow specialized farm tools without the high upfront cost. Located at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier.
Contact: Amber Butland, abutland@ucanr.edu, (559) 614-4876. En español: (559) 779-9335.
Farm Research and Innovation
Work with researchers to trial and adopt new approaches to irrigation, soil health, and crop management.
Small Farm Innovation Challenge
Submit your idea to solve real-world farming problems. Winners receive funding, mentorship, and recognition.
Small Farms Tech Hub
One-on-one guidance to support your business, adopt tech, & access funding with market development, digital tools, & resources.
Resources
Small Farmer Organic Marketing Toolkit
Step-by-step worksheets and templates from CAFF / CCOF that help organic growers brand, price and sell produce through farmers’ markets, CSAs and local retail channels. Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Statewide Farmer Education and Resource Directory
A 70-page PDF listing California organizations that provide training, technical assistance and funding support to beginning and small farmers, organised by topic and region.
Farmer Education Programs in California
An online index of current field schools, apprenticeships and short courses curated by California FarmLink, with direct links and contact details for each program.
Whole Farm Sustainable Pest Management Webinar Course
A free 12-lesson series from Wild Farm Alliance that shows how to integrate habitat, biopesticides and scouting into whole-farm IPM strategies.
A Handbook for Supporting Soil Invertebrates and Soil Health on Farms
A 132-page SARE guide that translates soil-life science into practical field practices for building beneficial invertebrate communities and improving soil structure.