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Classifieds
This could
be sharing of equipment, supplies, barn building, purchasing in bulk, you
suggest it; we'll vet and post it if it seems relevant to our audience!
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Farming
Collective in Petaluma (Sonoma County) starting up on a dozen acres, seeks
double-axle trailer for sale, trade, or to borrow to transport their tractor
(could do high-weed mowing in exchange).
Contact Clint at: clint.thankfulvibes@yahoo.com.
Send
your classified to info@californiafarmlink.org
- with "For CFL Newsletter Classified" in the subject line, or your gem of an
opportunity might get lost!
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There is still an
opportunity for CCOF certification fee waivers!"
FarmLink can still help 2-3 clients who've
not previously been certified. Priority is being given to FarmLink clients, so
anyone who's gone on a tour, received linking technical assistance, attended a
workshop, or been in our database prior to 2010. Farmers who get certified
could be bringing that "something extra" to the landowner they're leasing from.
Contact your Regional Coordinator for details - and hurry! |
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 FarmLink Meets Facebook!
Catching up with Social Media - FarmLink now has a Facebook page! Please join us as a friend/fan!
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Saving one farm at a time
California Farmlink is pleased to join a new collaborative
of nonprofits and food co-ops in the Yolo/Sacramento region in its work to
preserve "One Farm at a Time." The collaborative provides a means for
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op and Davis Food Co-op communities to participate
in securing the future of small farms that feed them. The members represent a
significant pool of capital which, when invested collectively, can be leveraged
to create a mutually beneficial partnership between the farmers and their
communities. This method of investing will help those farms to grow and mature
over many generations, offering rare opportunities for promising farmers to get
on "solid ground" without signing up for a lifetime of debt.
By raising local dollars to preserve smaller farms, we can
provide a much-needed leg up to regional land trusts and other conservation
groups that might not otherwise be able to afford to work on small farm
projects. By purchasing conservation easements, or even buying farms outright
and offering lifetime tenure to select farmers, this network of local consumers
will offer much-needed opportunities to the next generation of producers, while
keeping alive productive family farms in this fertile region.
The One Farm at a Time
project dovetails with California FarmLink's mission. FarmLink looks forward to
participating in this initiative by assisting farmer-landowners to analyze
their farm succession options, helping the co-op community assess models for
future small farm preservation projects; and helping new farmers understand and
negotiate their land tenure agreements, prepare solid business plans, and
secure financing necessary to become successful participants in our local food
economy.
Saving one farm at a time
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 Farming on the Urban Edge
Virtually
every day you see another news story about community gardens, downtown farmers markets, or urban farming programs. In many cities and urban counties in the US
there is cheap or free land that could be used for urban farming. There's a strong and growing demand for
affordable, high-quality, fresh, local farm produce and products. The USDA recently unveiled major new
initiatives to promote and support urban agriculture. Unfortunately there's a dire shortage of
trained organic farmers who understand how to setup and operate profitable commercial
farm businesses in urban settings.
Commercial urban farms can provide financial benefits to adjacent building
owners, operators, developers and tenants, for example: reduced building
O&M costs; higher lease rates; elimination of weed abatement costs; stormwater
surge mitigation solutions; reduced carbon footprint; lowered building heating
and cooling costs; and higher building ROI due to improved financial bottom
line. Urban farmers can share
financially in these monetary benefits, increasing their own urban farm's
revenue and profitability.
An urban farmer can benefit
directly from integration of the farm into the structures and systems of a
building or neighborhood, such as: using adjacent building waste heat for cold
season heating of hoop houses or greenhouses; capture of building or grounds
stormwater for farm irrigation; diversion of food and green waste into farm
composting; and sales of farm produce directly to building tenants and
neighbors through CSA programs, farm stands and neighborhood farmers markets.
Networks of profitable local urban
farms generate economic, social and environmental benefits that help revitalize
communities and contribute to efforts to redevelop cities to be more prosperous
and sustainable.
Because
urban commercial farmers encounter challenges and opportunities that are
substantially different from those faced by rural farmers, commercial urban
farm incubator programs must also differ in many ways from their rural
counterparts.
The
Sustainable Commercial Urban Farm Incubator (SCUFI) program is establishing its
first commercial urban farm incubator on land in Concord, California. The Concord SCUFI is seeking aspiring farmers
wishing to setup and operate commercial urban organic farms as trainees on
plots on the SCUFI land. The Concord
SCUFI will provide plots of land that each selected trainee will run as a farm
business. Trainees will have the option
of operating their plots individually or as members of a farming cooperative. The Concord SCUFI program will provide aspiring
farmer trainees with organic farming and business training, land to farm, help
with financing, and assistance with marketing and sales. The Concord SCUFI is also seeking trainers
for the program.
If you
are interested in becoming a trainee or trainer with the Concord SCUFI program
please contact: James Kalin,
510-387-1031, jamesk@virtuallygreen.com
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 Young Couple Seeks To Start Diversified Livestock Farm in
Yolo County
Alexis Vertolli
and Gillies Robertson-a young couple with a combination of good skills and
boundless energy-seek land to start their own diversified livestock operation. Each
has developed a strong background in natural resource management and farming. Thus
far, they've earned their experience as interns or employees for someone else.
Now they're ready to strike out on their own.
Vertolli,
articulate and enthusiastic, currently works for the Butte County Resource
Conservation District on conservation planning and projects with local
landowners, farmers and ranchers. She graduated several years ago from UC Santa
Cruz with a focus on agro-ecology, and later developed a successful cut flower
CSA program.
Vertolli headed
south to work in Tasmania as State Coordinator for an Australian environmental
cleanup effort, and met Robertson, a native of Scotland, who has since joined her
in the US. They found work at the Book Family Farm where she learned to drive draft
horses, help with livestock and farm events. She's raised vegetables and a
small flock of laying hens successfully for several seasons. Attending UC Davis graduate school in the
fall, she will focus on soil biogeochemistry and range management.
Robertson continues
working in livestock management and as general handyman at the Book Family
farm. He and Vertolli have a small herd of grass-fed cattle in partnership with
the farm-another layer of expertise. Robertson has interned with Chaffin Family
Orchards, a diverse and environmentally sustainable livestock and fruit tree
ranch in Oroville. His formal college education in Australia studying natural
resource management gave him a good foundation in habitat restoration
techniques, sustainable land management and environmental policy. Putting
theory to work as a park ranger in Tasmania, he helped return some of Sydney's
native bush land areas more toward their natural state.
Ready to farm on
their own, probably in the Capay Valley on one or two small parcels they've
found through FarmLink, they will start with sheep and chickens, hoping eventually
to incorporate beef cattle and pigs. They want to establish a successful farm business,
build community and develop a sense of purpose through farming. FarmLink Regional
Program Coordinator Kendra Johnson looks forward to working with the couple to
reach that goal!
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Diverse Petaluma ranch
operation adds hay growing to the mix
 Nathalie
Guion
first approached California FarmLink in the spring of 2009 when she
applied for our Farm Opportunities Loan Program. Guion applied for a
loan
to build operating and infrastructure to fund her start up hay
business. In October 2009, Nathalie and partner Drew received a loan
from California
FarmLink to help them begin farming 160 acres in beautiful west
Petaluma. They also have vineyards and a horse boarding/training
operation
on the property.
Guion's efforts to start a hay growing
business did not come without experience. As part of her undergraduate studies,
she earned a Diploma as a General Agriculture Technician from Cantarel College
in Avignon, France. The program was a three-year study of equipment, basic crop
management, farm economics, and agricultural politics. Guion's education also
included equine studies at the highly regarded French Equestrian School in
Samur France.
Through her education, as well as her
experience successfully running numerous equestrian facilities, the hay growing
start up seemed a complementary business strategy and good way to provide a
custom hay product for equine consumers.
Guion
possesses a true entrepreneurial spirit as an aspiring farmer and business
woman. Beside planting and successfully harvesting 160 acres of oat and
rye hay, Nathalie and Drew welcomed their new daughter, Marie Charlotte, into
the world of farming last December. Congratulations to this successful
ranch family!
For
information about purchasing hay, contact: nat@natguion.com.
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Mother and Son Partnership
Jessica Ayala
and her 16-year old son Devon Sanders have been working with FarmLink for about
a year to find a suitable place to launch a small livestock business
specializing in heritage meat chickens. Sanders wants to farm for a living. He's
currently running Live Earth Farm's chicken operation in Watsonville. He has
years of 4-H livestock experience, and manages a flock at his house and another
backyard goat and chicken unit for family friends, demonstrating maturity
beyond his years.
Art, Sander's
father, has been in ag irrigation 30 years. The family is well-connected in the
ag community and would like to start their own commercial chicken operation, (they
have several buyers and restaurants lined up). Jessica plans to work with her
son, and the family plans to finance the operation, which they envision
ultimately as young Sander's own. He has fairly extensive field experience in
poultry, and also with veggies and irrigation systems. He wants to open a
poultry processing plant eventually. Contact Reggie Knox for more information:
831-425-0303.
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Summer's Hot Land Opportunities
North Coast properties -
contact Andrea Krout - andrea@californiafarmlink.org:
Sonoma County ID #1210: Live and
farm in Penngrove on six acres for lease with a 2 bd/2 ba home. The
house was built in 1938, a large hay barn and shop, many livestock shelters,
two outdoor offices, tank house structure and garage. Property set up for
farm stand and owner willing to negotiate designated spot for that. Large
private garden area, or could be used for farm events. Property close to
Penngrove, Petaluma, Cotati and Sonoma. Private well and city water - four
separate meters on the property. Second residence currently leased (with tenant
who is supportive of agriculture). Barn is wired with 220 that can
support large welder or refrigeration truck for cold storage. Additional fruit
and nut trees and gardens. Owner asking $2,000/month for property, house
and outbuildings; also willing to negotiate for crop trade/share agreement.
Sonoma County ID #1186: 80 farmable
acres for lease in Penngrove. This flat farmable property has two
wells, large barn and lambing infrastructure, a 7030 DT Kubota Tractor with
mower and attachments, round baler and 30 sheep. Owner would like to see
diverse farm and ranch operation. Property is cross fenced for
grazing. Longer term lease agreement can be negotiated.
Sonoma County ID #1207: ten-acre property at the north
end of Santa Rosa, less than a mile off 101. This property is zoned
"Diverse Agriculture" and contains extensive green house, shade
house, cold storage, warehouse and electrical/irrigation infrastructure, with
wells (in use) that tested high for water quality; the land recently certified
organic. The agricultural infrastructure was built from mid 60's to late 80's for
a nursery that grew and distributed hundreds of thousands of grapevine
rootstocks sold around the country. Now a greenhouse and indoor agricultural
hub, farmers from soil to hydroponics can lease grow space to grow organic
produce, as well as conduct small-scale livestock operations. Space available
from 250 sq. ft. to over 100,000. Partners will offer to purchase and
distribute farm product if markets not already established. Many possibilities!
Central Valley
properties - contact Kendra Johnson - kendra@californiafarmlink.org:
Shasta County ID# 976: Beautiful, 22-acre farm for lease/option or sale by
owner-mentors.
For the last 14 years, on a foothill property in Shasta County, Allan and
Mineca Griggs have been fostering a diverse, productive farm and an elegant
wholesome lifestyle. Now in their 70's but spry as can be, this dedicated
couple is looking for a successor to whom they can pass on their knowledge,
land and business.
Under the name "Cove Crest," the Griggs
grow wine and table grapes, blueberries, cane berries, and vegetables, and
operate a small bonded winery-all on about five of their 22 acres. Roughly
seven additional acres are arable, with good potential to expand existing
berries and vineyards. The remainder of the property is wooded. Al and Mineca
are known at the Redding farmer's markets (just over an hour's drive away) for
their wonderful fruit, vegetables and wines. They sell wine successfully
online.
About 2,400 feet above sea level, the property is surrounded by national
forests, lakes, streams - with hot springs close by. A lovely year-round creek
runs along the bottom of the property. Soil is good Cohasset Loam, and well,
ditch and creek water provide ample irrigation. There is also a good spring
which could be developed further. There is a working greenhouse and small
operational winery, as well as farming and winemaking equipment. The barn,
which houses a workshop and the winery, also includes a guest apartment which
could be expanded.
The owners have
invested a great deal in their land, business and quality of life. More than
anything, they wish to see a younger farmer or farm family pick up and run with
it. They will do all they can to set up a viable, win-win transition.
Central Coast properties
- contact Reggie Knox - reggie@californiafarmlink.org:
Monterey County ID #1205: 39
organic acres for lease, Carmel Valley: This historic operation was farmed
organically starting in 1947 and has been certified since the 70s, though
fallow for the last two years. It consists of flat sandy loam in several
benches. The well produces 400 gpm and serves 39 acres with buried mainline.
The land is 90% deer fenced and was last leased at $1,600/acre/year. Flexible
lease terms - one year minimum. Crops recently grown: cole crops, corn, summer
and winter squash, tomatoes. No lodging, barns or storage facilities on site.
The owners are experienced organic farmers, live on site and would consider
more than one farmer if one takes the master lease and works out a water
sharing arrangement with tenants. FarmLink is exploring several other Carmel
Valley properties for lease of 10 to 30 acres each.
SLO County ID# 1197(BRAND NEW LAND
LISTING!): 17 to 20 acres row crop land available for
lease just south of San Luis Obispo: This land has been farmed in beans and
bell peppers, and for the last three years was used by a native plant seed
grower. It is close to SLO city limits and gently sloped. There is a good ag
well with a three-phase pump. The owner believes it is eligible for organic
certification - would need to check with Ag Commissioner's office. There is a 3
- 4 bd/2 ba rental house on site available in July for $1,600/mo. Land lease is
negotiable and competitive with lease rates in the area.
San Mateo County #1150: Multiple three to ten acre parcels
available for lease in beautiful San Gregorio. This is loamy bottom land
adjacent with ample riparian water rights. Rental house on site currently
rented. The entire property is physically and biologically diverse and
breathtakingly gorgeous. Painters and photographers often park along the shoulder
of the highway. The owners have lived on the land for thirty years - and the
family before spanned three generations.
The property is made up of several contiguous parcels straddling a creek with
farmable plots on horseshoe bends along the creek, and discrete plots available
for mini-farms throughout the property. Additional plots are on slightly higher
ground and can be irrigated. A few of the larger tracts are currently under
farming contract and the majority of this large ranch is grazed. Owners are not
farmers, but envision working with a few good tenants over a long period of
time, understanding that startup farmers may come and go.
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FarmLink's newsletter continues to evolve, with increased
focus this issue on some of our outstanding beginning farmers, new
opportunities for farming on urban land, a new cooperative effort to save
farmland, and a "classified" section.
In our next issue, you'll see workshops and mixers scheduled for the fall (in the planning stages right now).
We appreciate your input going
forward. Tell us what would make this newsletter more useful to you. And remember, those of you who receive a paper
version and would prefer it came to you digitally, please send us
an email request so we can make that change for you and save another tree!
Contributors: Reggie Knox, Andrea Krout, Kendra Johnson, James Kalin
~Linda Peterson, Editor |
Contact Info
linda@californiafarmlink.org
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