Growers Wanted!
Small business owner and South San Jose community member Yesie Chang will be opening a produce store in South San Jose this coming spring. The store will be named BEVY Produce, and the goal is to have all of the produce sourced from local farmers who work with the land to grow honest food. If you are interested in selling your produce to Yesie, please get in touch by phone or email: (408) 204-7899, 2yesie@gmail.com.
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CAFF in the News
CAFF's Program Director, Sheila Golden, was recently
interviewed for an article in the Winter edition of EdibleSilicon Valley. The article, entitled "Farm Forward" and writte n by Epicurean Group's Peg Champion, highlights the newly opened Martial Cottle Park in South San Jose, and
 how the new ag park will affect the future of farming in the "Valley of the Heart's Delight". Thank you to Edible for the opportunity to speak about our work in the region! You can read the digital version of the article here, starting on pg. 32.
And over in Monterey, CAFF's Program Manager, Rosemary Quinn, was recently featured in a promotional video for Everyone's Harvest, a non-profit association that runs several farmers markets throughout the Monterey Bay. The video also highlights the work of several local non-profits, such as ALBA, who contribute to a sustainable food system in the Monterey County.
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Featured CAFF Member:
UCSC Farm and Garden
Located on the University of California Santa Cruz campus, the UCSC Farm and Garden includes 30 acres of handworked gardens of annual and perennial food and ornamental crops, mechanically cultivated row crops, orchards, and research plots. Since 1967, the farm has hosted a 6-month farm apprenticeship program, which offers training in the techniques of agroecology and organic farming and gardening . Students in the apprenticeship run a weekly farmstand and CSA program for community members. CAFF has worked with the UCSC Farm in several capacities over the years; most recently, the farm has been selling their kiwi crop for use in our Harvest of the Month tasting kits that go to local classrooms as part of our Farm to School program. We've also partnered with the farm to run several beginning farmer workshops on topics such as food safety and marketing. For more information about the UCSC Farm and Garden, visit their website.
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American Farmland Trust Looking for Farmers
American Farmland Trust (AFT) is working right now to prepare 100 Profiles in Stewardship of California specialty crop growers. AFT is seeking to feature 100 California specialty crop growers that exemplify environmental stewardship and on-farm conservation. Examples of completed case studies can be found online.
Would you be interested in having a profile of your farm published by American Farmland Trust? If you are a specialty crop producer that would like to participate and or learn more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Alannah Kull at alannahkull@gmail.com and or 607-351-0417.
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Buyer/Seller Mixer Recap
Finishing up a series of marketing workshops, CAFF and ALBA hosted a Buyer/Seller Mixer at ALBA's offices in Salinas on February 4th. Buyers representing Good Eggs, Watsonville Coast Produce, and Everyone's Harvest Farmers Market Association were in attendance. A group of roughly 20 beginning farmers, mainly ALBA graduates, attended the workshop. The workshop included presentations from the buyers on what products they are looking to source from local farmers, as well as how farmers can sell to their businesses. The presentations were followed by a networking session facilitated by CAFF and ALBA staff, in an effort to make direct farmer/buyer connections. Thanks you to ALBA for hosting the event and for their partnership efforts in this workshop series!
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Events and Workshops
National CSA Day
February 26th
Friday, February 26th is National CSA Day! CSA Day was started by Small Farm Central with the intention of promoting the start of the CSA season and to encourage more folks to sign up for a CSA from their localfarmer. Small Farm Central has created a website full of  resources; including a CSA member starter pack, fun infographics, and a directory so you can find CSA farmers. If you are looking for a CSA this season and live in South San Jose, Veggielution will start accepting registration for their 2016 season on Friday. Folks who sign up on CSA Day will receive a free Veggielution tote bag!
Free Webinar:
Community Support Agriculture:
Strategies and Policy
Please join CAFF for a webinar about strategies and best practices we have learned after running a CSA Network in California, including how to use EBT, CSAs at worksites and CSA open houses. In addition, CAFF's Policy Director will review the pertinent policies that are now in place (and that could affect your farm). There will be time for a brief Q & A at the end. All types and sizes of CSA farms are welcome and the webinar is free!
California Small Farms Conference
March 5-8th
The California Small Farm  Conference is the state's premier gathering of small farmers, agricultural students, farmers' market managers and others involved in the small farm industry. This year's conference will be taking place at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Sacramento, CA. CAFF staff will be in attendance, and several CAFF farmer members are speaking on panels covering topics such as food safety, farm to institution, and the future of CSAs in CA. Register for the conference on their website.
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