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Urban agriculture in California: Lessons learned from an urban farmer workshop series

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Authors

Rachel A. Surls , UC Cooperative Extension
Rob Bennaton, UC Cooperative Extension
Gail W. Feenstra, UC ANR
Ramiro E. Lobo, UC Cooperative Extension
Alda F. Pires, UC Davis
Jennifer Sowerwine, UC Berkeley
Julia Van Soelen Kim, UC Cooperative Extension
Cheryl A. Wilen, UC ANR

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):57-62. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0010

Published online September 08, 2023

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Abstract

Urban farming is an important component of California agriculture, but lack of agricultural census data or common definitions makes it difficult to track and understand. In 2017–2018, a team of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) researchers and extension professionals developed a workshop series for urban farmers in California based on results of a prior needs assessment. After conducting 16 workshops in the state's largest urban centers, the team evaluated what participants learned and how they put their knowledge into action. The evaluation highlighted urban farmers' ongoing challenges and found that economic issues such as profitability and land access are some of the greatest barriers for urban farming in California. An unexpected positive outcome was the opportunity for participants to network and meet other farmers. Urban farmers expressed the need for more opportunities for mentoring and building partnerships with other farmers and organizations. Evaluation results suggest that California's urban farmers may be more diverse than California farmers as a whole, and that they are often beginning farmers.

Full text

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Urban agriculture in California: Lessons learned from an urban farmer workshop series

Rachel A. Surls, Rob Bennaton, Gail W. Feenstra, Ramiro E. Lobo, Alda F. Pires, Jennifer Sowerwine, Julia Van Soelen Kim, Cheryl A. Wilen
Webmaster Email: bjnoel@ucanr.edu

Urban agriculture in California: Lessons learned from an urban farmer workshop series

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article

Authors

Rachel A. Surls , UC Cooperative Extension
Rob Bennaton, UC Cooperative Extension
Gail W. Feenstra, UC ANR
Ramiro E. Lobo, UC Cooperative Extension
Alda F. Pires, UC Davis
Jennifer Sowerwine, UC Berkeley
Julia Van Soelen Kim, UC Cooperative Extension
Cheryl A. Wilen, UC ANR

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):57-62. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0010

Published online September 08, 2023

PDF  |  Citation  |  Permissions

NALT Keywords

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

Urban farming is an important component of California agriculture, but lack of agricultural census data or common definitions makes it difficult to track and understand. In 2017–2018, a team of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) researchers and extension professionals developed a workshop series for urban farmers in California based on results of a prior needs assessment. After conducting 16 workshops in the state's largest urban centers, the team evaluated what participants learned and how they put their knowledge into action. The evaluation highlighted urban farmers' ongoing challenges and found that economic issues such as profitability and land access are some of the greatest barriers for urban farming in California. An unexpected positive outcome was the opportunity for participants to network and meet other farmers. Urban farmers expressed the need for more opportunities for mentoring and building partnerships with other farmers and organizations. Evaluation results suggest that California's urban farmers may be more diverse than California farmers as a whole, and that they are often beginning farmers.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

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