Fall 2023: Edition 20

Harnessing the Power of Cover Crops for Soil Health & Climate-Friendly Farming

Join the North Coast Soil Hub Join for a community-powered event on cover crops, agricultural sustainability, soil health, and climate-friendly practices in perennial cropping systems. This gathering is open to technical assistance providers and ag professionals, growers, consultants, and community members who want to explore ways to enhance agricultural practices while mitigating climate change impacts.

December 4, 2023

9am-1pm

Napa Valley College

Napa, CA

North Coast Soil Hub hosts climate-resilient forage planting workshop in Mendocino

In October, the Soil Hub hosted our fourth workshop in a five-part series on soil health assessment and management at Hopland Research and Extension Center. Presenters shared information on assessing sites, assisting with decisions around suitability for range seeding, and determining planting mixes based on producer goals and site constraints. Thank you to our speakers Kristan Norman, Alan Bower, and Josh Davy, as well as everyone who came out to learn with us!

Pictured: Soil Hub team members from Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Humboldt Counties.

The UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) is pleased to announce the release of a new website for cover cropping information and resources, featuring its new online Expert Grower Database for cover cropping practices in California orchards and vineyards, created in collaboration with the Napa County Resource Conservation District. This searchable database provides detailed information on cover cropping practices and strategies implemented by experienced cover crop growers in orchards and vineyards in two different regions — the southern Sacramento Valley and North Coast viticulture region.

Our partners at CalCAN released two reports on climate progress in California Agriculture and tools for cultivating resilience

This two part report is CalCAN’s contribution to the rich and complex dialogue and strategy about how California agriculture can move boldly and quickly toward a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient future.

Thank you to CalCAN for featuring the North Coast Soil Hub as a solution for expanding technical assistance to support on-farm climate resilience!

Resource on climate beneficial agriculture practices

A new publication by the National Center for Appropriate Technology ATTRA program showcases some of the more common practices that have been scientifically proven to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or sequester carbon. There are over 30 NRCS-recognized Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry conservation practices with quantifiable benefit to the climate.

California Society for Ecological Restoration Quarterly News Journal

Enjoy the Spring 2023 edition of the Society for Ecological Restoration's News Journal curated by Gold Ridge RCD staff member, Will Spangler. Inside you'll find articles on ecological restoration of California's native bees, an ecological model that incorporates Indigenous perspectives, and native plant materials for habitat restoration projects.

Exciting opportunities to join Napa Resource Conservation District and Chico State Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilience Systems (CRARS)