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October, 2024
AN EVENT FOR PRODUCERS

A full day of networking, learning, access to resources, and speakers – all targeted to support the central coast’s future, new, and current small scale food producers. Be a part of building the next generation of our region’s food system! 

Want to download resources from the event?

FISHERFOLK

RANCHERS

FARMERS

First of Its Kind Central Coast Food Forum!
This special two-part event was hosted by Santa Barbara County Food Action Network and EconAlliance at Allan Hancock College.

OCT
25
6pm to 9pm

Photos and video by Julio Rojo.

OCT
26
9am to 4pm

Photos by Andrew Adams.

OCT
25
6pm to 9pm

Evening Event

Next Generation Food System Celebration


Time: 6-9pm
Location: 
Allan Hancock College
Building F Rooftop Terrace
800 South College Drive
Santa Maria, CA

Support for small farmers by celebrating their local successes and accomplishments! Sit down dinner will be sourced from local small farmers/producers, prepared by Mark Richardson Career Technical Education Center and Agricultural Farm – Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Alcohol will be served and there will be presentation of local stories. Enjoy a fun evening at the college on the terrace.

OCT
26
9am to 4pm

All Day Event

Small Farmer Rancher Fisherfolk Forum

EconAlliance and SBCFAN bring a full day of resources, workshops, offsite tours, demonstrations, and speakers for small scale future, new, and current farmers, ranchers, and fisherfolk. Lunch will be available for purchase from local food businesses.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Jennifer Lester Moffitt

KEYNOTE TOPICS WILL INCLUDE

  • Importance of regional food systems
  • Role of usda in supporting regional food systems
  • Critical role of small scale producers in regional supply chains

BIO
Jennifer Lester Moffitt is the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture, the first woman to serve in this position. At USDA, she provides leadership for the Agricultural Marketing Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working to build a more reliable, resilient, and equitable food system by strengthening agricultural markets and ensuring the health and welfare of animals and plants. Prior to joining USDA, Under Secretary Moffitt worked for the California Department of Food and Agriculture where she championed the critically important work of farmers and producers in her roles as Undersecretary and Deputy Secretary. A 5th generation Californian, Under Secretary Moffitt has deep roots in agriculture and ran her family’s organic farm and processing operation for 10 years, expanding domestic and international markets, and implementing climate smart agricultural practices. As a former farmer and now policymaker, Under Secretary Moffitt believes in the importance of engaging agricultural stakeholders and working collaboratively to sustain our environment, strengthen our rural economies, and support new and better markets for producers and consumers.

WORKSHOPS

FSMA for Small Farms: Demystifying Food Safety Regulations and Ag Water Updates

Are you ready for a farm food safety inspection? Are you unsure of your responsibilities to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)? Come share your concerns, ask questions, and learn about recent updates to agricultural water guidelines and requirements. Avenues for financial and educational resources will also be covered to assist you in navigating the complicated FSMA Produce Safety Rule.

Presented By:

Erin Krier

  • Coordinator and Professor of Agriculture, Allan Hancock College

Erin Krier is a Produce Safety Alliance grower trainer, with advanced Produce Safety Rule training from the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Erin has partnered with a diverse group of food safety specialists and researchers across the country to improve her understanding of how the Food Safety Modernization Act, and the Produce Safety Rule in particular, impact small and very small specialty crop growers.

Farms Together

In this workshop we will discuss regional small scale institutional supply chain and the role of policy advocacy in its enhancement and preservation. How will these things affect you and your business?

Presented By:

Shakira Miracle

  • Executive Director, The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network

Shakira Miracle is a system solution designer, stakeholder collaboration facilitator, and social justice and planet advocate who loves engaging with people, listening to their stories, finding common ground, and building trust. When she’s not spending quality time exploring nature with her husband and two boys, you can find Shakira taste testing her favorite fruits at a local farm stand, farmers market, or straight out of the field when not falling in a ditch of said berry field. Learn more about Shakira’s expertise.

Taryn Mohler

  • Director of Operations, Harvestly

Taryn grew up in San Louis Obispo County and has always been passionate about agriculture and community. As the Director of Operations at Harvestly, she has the privilege of working with nearly 100 local farmers and food producers, as well as SLO community customers. Her role involves ensuring everything runs smoothly, from customer orders placed online to coordinating the aggregation, packaging, and delivery of items to their doorsteps. She handles all the behind-the-scenes communication and logistics that make this possible.

Taryn loves seeing small vendors grow their businesses and thrive through our marketplace while providing their community with the best local food to support a deliciously healthy lifestyle.

So you’re thinking of becoming a farmer?

How we can help: USDA FSA Overview Presentation and How to get started with FSA

What is involved in starting your own production business? How can you evaluate your options and make smart choices?

Information will include how the agency classifies beginning farmers/ranchers, youth lending programs, and how to access these resources from your local field office.

For more information:
FSA Santa Maria Service Center, serving Santa Barbara County
920 E. Stowell Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Office: 805-928-9269 2
County Executive Director: Daisy Banda

Presented By:

Daisy Banda

  • County Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Daisy Banda, based in Grover Beach, CA, US, is currently a County Executive Director at USDA Farm Service Agency. Daisy Banda brings experience from previous roles at USDA-FSA, USDA and Mid State Bank & Trust. Daisy Banda holds a 2005 – 2007 Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Global Business & Marketing @ Arizona State University. With a robust skill set that includes Leadership, Management, Microsoft Word, Research, Program Management and more. Daisy Banda has 1 emails on RocketReach.

About the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Working with US Government Agencies: USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events.

Equity and Inclusion: FSA recognizes equity as a driving force and stands committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all programs and services.

AskUSDA: Our website is one central entry point for you to access information and help from USDA.

Services you can access on our website include:

So you’ve been farming for a while?

USDA Farm Loan Overview and resources you can access

The workshop will include access to agency resources and information to continue being profitable, including what renting farmers may need to continue being profitable when renting no longer suits their needs.

For more information:
FSA Santa Maria Service Center, serving Santa Barbara County
920 E. Stowell Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Office: 805-928-9269 2
County Executive Director: Daisy Banda

Presented By:

Gary Troester

  • Farm Loan Manager, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Gary Troester is the FSA farm loan manager for 10 counties in Southern California. He has offices in Bakersfield and Santa Maria, with customers producing crops of coffee, cattle, strawberries, avocadoes, vegetables, mushrooms, microgreens and now the popular urban gardening and farmers’ markets entrepreneurs. The populated area of nearly 9 million people stretches to the borders of Mexico and Nevada.

Gary emphasizes communication skills with ag borrowers and strong background in agricultural production, both skills that he honed at UNSTA (now the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture).

About the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Working with US Government Agencies: USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events.

Equity and Inclusion: FSA recognizes equity as a driving force and stands committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all programs and services.

AskUSDA: Our website is one central entry point for you to access information and help from USDA.

Services you can access on our website include:

USDA-NRCS Financial and Technical Assistance Programs and Services for Farmers and Ranchers

NRCS works closely with producers in a voluntary, non-regulatory relationship to help people help the land and benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems Learn about historic on-farm conservation funding incentives and assistance NRCS  provides, along with technical resources and references that aid producers with their conservation planning.

Presented By:

Jacob Dixon

  • Natural Resources Specialist, Santa Maria NRCS, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Jacob has been a conservation planner with the NRCS Santa Maria Field office for the past two years. He works primarily with ranchers within Santa Barabra County to address common concerns such as grazing distribution, invasive plants, and wildlife habitat.

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs.

www.nrcs.usda.gov

Crop Insurance 101

Providing producers with information on crop loss insurance that is due to flooding and drought. This will also include information on all natural disaster insurance. The presentation will include opportunities to ask questions about how RMA supports small scale producers directly.

For more information:
USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)
USDA Risk Management Agency State Office
430 G. St.
Davis, CA. 95616
Office: (530) 792-5870

Presented By:

Ryan Mortenson

  • Senior Specialist USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)

Ryan Mortenson is a Senior Risk Management Specialist with the Davis Regional Office. He has been with RMA since 2013 following his graduation from Colorado State University.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA), created in 1996, serves America’s agricultural producers through effective, market-based risk management tools to strengthen the economic stability of agricultural producers and rural communities. RMA is committed to increasing the availability and effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool. RMA manages the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to provide innovative crop insurance products to America’s farmers and ranchers. Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) sell and service Federal crop insurance policies in every state and in Puerto Rico through a public-private partnership with RMA. RMA backs the AIPs who share the risks associated with catastrophic losses due to major weather events.

RMA’s vision is to secure the future of agriculture by providing world class risk management tools to rural America.

For more information, download About the Risk Management Agency.

Regenerating California: Wrap-around support services for all food growers.

Despite a wealth of government, nonprofit, and private programs and investment, CA family farms continue to disappear, replaced by larger and less accessible corporate investors. The solution has always been in communities. What would an all-hands-on-deck and community-lead initiative look like. What if we invited everyone to the table to lift up local food producers. The goal is to build the local economy on the strength of new family farms who grow healthy food for their neighbors that need it most. The goal is to Regenerate California.

Presented By:

Nathanael Gonzales-Siemens

  • Regenerative & Organic Consulting Manager, Pacific Region | Rodale Institute

Nathanael Gonzales-Siemens is returning to his roots and the spirit of discovery that first brought him back into farming after a decade of teaching in inner-city Los Angeles and in China and working for criminal justice reform on the West Coast. Nathanael spent his undergrad years studying Plant Genetics and Biology at UCLA and has a teaching credential for CSU Los Angeles. He grew up on a small farm in California’s San Joaquin Valley and founded two businesses there with his family. The first, now run by his brother, is focused on food justice and sovereignty and the second, operated by his wife, strives to implement regenerative farming practices and to equip and empower traditionally underrepresented groups.

Nathanael Siemens is an organic grower juggling a variety of crops, fields, and systems across California. He has a 150 acre farm in Modoc County and another 10 acres in Kern County. He is also working at the Rodale Institute’s new farm research center in Ventura County.

He grew up on a farm in Kern County but left for college and only returned to farming 15 years ago. When he first got back into farming, he was doing management for other growers and didn’t have the capacity to change up existing practices. Later on, he was hesitant to make big changes since the conventional system was already functioning.

This all changed during the recent drought, when it became clear to Nathanael that conventional farming was no longer viable. He started thinking outside the box by doing dry farming and implementing practices that build up organic matter. He also started planting multiple crops at once so that they don’t all fail at the same time.

Read more here.

Boosting Bees & Recruiting Dung Recyclers

From boosting bees to recruiting dung recyclers; exploring the ways sustainable pest management practices improve beneficial insect communities

In his career as an entomologist Jacob has worked with a diversity of farmers and ranchers on the role insects play in their operations. This workshop will explore some of these examples with a robust collection of data and amazing pictures that demonstrate the changes to an operation that can recruit and retain beneficial insects such as pollinators, predator insects, and even dung beetles. In many cases, these practices simultaneously improve the profitability of many of these operations and often help mitigate the negative effects of insect pests, sometimes in surprising ways!

Presented By:

Dr. Jacob Pecenka

  • Post-doctoral Research Associate at Rodale Institute California Organic Center

Jacob is a research entomologist and agroecologist. He grew up in South Dakota and attended South Dakota State University for both undergraduate degree in biology and a MS in natural resource management. Jacob continued to a PhD in entomology at Purdue University where he studied the trade-offs that cucurbit growers face in managing insect pests while conserving insect pollinators and protecting crop yield. This multi-faceted project helped reduce the amount of insecticide applied to these cropping systems and aid in the preservation of pollinators, especially wild species. Currently Jacob is working on several projects at the California Organic Center centered around the use of cover crops to help in vegetable production. Collecting data on soil health, water retention, weed pressure, and insect pests to provide evidence to the viability of cover cropping systems can hopefully lead to wider adoption of cover crops as a solution to some of the troubles organic growers in the region face.

OUR SPONSORS

Future System Catalyzers
Next Generation Producers
Community Food Activators
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