by Monica Schwenke | May 21, 2019
Join the CCOF Foundation, California FarmLink, and the National Young Farmers Coalition for a webinar that will guide you through the key steps in negotiating and composing a lease that has a built-in pathway to ownership.
Every farmer hopes to own their own property. But with high startup costs and sky-high land prices in places like California, it often doesn’t make sense to purchase property before starting your farm business. Learn about different types of lease structures, clauses, tactics that can lead to farm ownership, and how to position yourself financially to be able to execute a purchase option.
By 2030, more than two-thirds of all private agricultural land in the United States is expected to change hands. Additionally, over the past decade, the average cost of farmland has doubled, and land prices continue to climb. Unless you stand to gain farmland the old fashioned way—inheritance—new and scaling farmers need “out-of-the-box” strategies to stand up against the tide of U.S. farmland transition.
This webinar will provide ideas on choosing a land tenure method that’s right for your growing organic farming business, and how to best position yourself to consider a possible farmland purchase in the future, including financial planning through the National Young Farmer Coalition’s Finding Farmland Calculator tool.
by Monica Schwenke | May 14, 2019
Join organic farmer Bob Quinn and Stanford Lecturer Liz Carlisle for highlights from their new book, Grain by Grain. Drawing on Bob’s 30-year journey in regenerative organic agriculture and renewable energy, they will discuss how transformation of regional food systems can drive big changes over time: creating good green jobs that rebuild rural communities, while providing healthier food and better environmental stewardship. Along the way, they’ll shed some light on the recent epidemic of gluten sensitivity, and offer some suggestions for how to restore a healthy relationship with wheat. Organic snacks will be served, including samples of kamut-based products. Books will be available for purchase.
by Monica Schwenke | May 4, 2019
Experience Santa Clara Valley’s agricultural past, present and future, on land the Cottle family farmed for over 150 years. There will be children’s activities, local craft makers from San Jose Made, and food trucks. Meet the animals at the 4H parcel and visit the petting zoo.
The UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will host gardening talks at the Master Gardener parcel. They will also have seedlings and succulents for sale. Come see their new educational pavilion and beautiful water-wise California Native Garden!
by Monica Schwenke | Apr 27, 2019
Join us as we celebrate the practice of sustainability and self-reliance through home-scale agriculture and the cultivation of culinary and craft skills! Hear from local experts and passionate enthusiasts and learn to use natural resources in your community. With demonstrations and conversations in sheep-shearing, fiber arts, food preservation, backyard chicken care, composting, fruit tree pruning and so much more, you are guaranteed to leave with knowledge and inspiration!
Note – this is a ticketed event and may sell out. Tickets are sold for the Morning Session, Afternoon Session, or Both.
