OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Presentation Opportunity at

California Small Farm Conference 2024



The California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets is once again co-hosting the farmers market track portion of the California Small Farm Conference 2024.

We are still looking for workshop proposals, the deadline to submit your proposal is November 10th!

The California Small Farm Conference, now in its 36th year, is an annual gathering of family farmers, local food system stakeholders, and advocates for regenerative agriculture. A hybrid event drawing over a thousand attendees, it features four days of virtual programming followed by ten unique unique in-person meetups across the state. We come together to explore topics ranging from climate-smart farming practices to small business strategy, introductions for beginners and deep dives for established growers, workshops aimed at industry professionals, and forums for everyday people working to build a healthier, more equitable food system for all.

We encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of color, people LGBTQIA-identified, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals to submit proposals.

Next year's conference is a hybrid event (virtual & in-person, various locations throughout California), on February 25th - 29th 2024.

Apply to be Part of the Alliance's BIPOC Working Group

California farmers’ market professionals need Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) content, tools and training, specifically for a farmers’ market context. The BIPOC Working Group (“Working Group”) will support the Alliance in establishing systems of support for BIPOC industry leaders, and support the Alliance in better integrating JEDI values into what it does.

The Working Group will do this by:

• Co-creating scope of work (SOW) and JEDI short-term and long-term goals
• Co-facilitating regional affinity community-building groups
• Supporting the implementation of short-term and potentially long-term JEDI-related goals and deliverables
• Supporting the direction and implementation of programming as an Alliance Steering Committee member

Click here for the full job description.

Open until filled

(two-year commitment required)

Welcome Sam Greenlee!

Sam is the Executive Director of Alchemist CDC with experience in the professional food safety industry and several years in community organizing as a co-founder of the Oak Park Fix-it Cafe. Sam is passionate about building strong equitable communities where the most vulnerable neighbors can flourish. He is a resident of the Oak Park neighborhood and can be found spending his free time gardening, taking evening walks with his spouse, and enjoying time with his children. We are thrilled to welcome Sam as part of the Alliance Steering Committee, and are looking forward to seeing his expertise and passion for food access and justice help secure the future of farmers' markets throughout California.

Funding Opportunity: PCF Mini-Grant

The Pine Cone Foundation (PCF) is a 501c3 organization based in the Bay Area with the mission of cultivating a better food future by supporting farming, ranching, fishing, aquaculture, and foodways in California. PCF is a private family foundation aiming to positively impact the security of our food supply chain in the face of climate change, discrimination, and rising costs. PCF's goal is to connect with and support future generations of stewards in our golden state. The organization was founded in 2015 to honor a beloved family member that passed away who loved nature, animals, and waterways, but above all, quality time outdoors and a great meal with loved ones.

PCF established two endowments thus far with the Ecological Agriculture Center at Shone Farm and United Anglers of Casa Grande. In 2022, PCF launched their annual micro-grant program to farmers, ranchers and fisheries, as well as aquaculture purveyors. In 2023, they aim to distribute three to four grants to eligible applicants.

The PCF micro-grant application is open to established small California-based farms, ranches, fishing, and aquaculture operations that are looking to accomplish a specific project within one year.

We are accepting applications via Google Forms from 

September 27th to November 8th, 2023. 

Job Opportunities

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

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Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Marin County, Mendocino County, Napa County, Sonoma County

Ecology Center

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Open until filled

American Farmland Trust

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