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Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Tuesday, August 29, 2023
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AAFC Watermelon Festival

On Saturday, September 16th, the African American Farmers of California (AAFC) will be hosting the inaugural Watermelon Festival. This event offers an opportunity to celebrate Black farmers and African American farming heritage and culture, along with the harvest and bounty they reap at this time of year. In addition to celebrating, farmers will have the opportunity to tell their stories and share knowledge and experience with one another and the community. They will be selling local produce, including fresh fruit, vegetables, and eggs.

AAFC is currently engaged in a planning…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Tuesday, August 29, 2023
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Farming Spinach

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA’s) Urban Agriculture Grant Program is a one-time only competitive grant that will fund programs and projects that enhance the viability of agriculture in urban areas across the state of California. 

Urban agriculture refers to the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban settings, including things like in-ground small plot cultivation; raised beds; vertical production; warehouse farms; mushroom growing; urban forestry and tree care; community gardens; rooftop farms; hydroponic, aeroponic,…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Tuesday, August 29, 2023
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Latino Farmer Conference Banner

The 9th annual Growing Together Latino Farmer Conference is November 1-2, 2023, in California’s Central Valley. This conference will include conference sessions on day one, followed by a farm field day on day two. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are proud to present this annual statewide sustainable agriculture conference for Spanish-speaking farmers. This conference brings together the Latino/a farming community, the agriculture industry, and advocates for sustainability and agribusinesses for two days of…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Tuesday, August 29, 2023
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laptop

Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) has created a Farmer Funding Opportunities Database. The funding opportunities database allows farmers to easily see when grants are open for application, which on-farm activities or subjects they fund, paperwork needed for application, and more. This database will help streamline the search process for farmers without losing any time. Once in the database, farmers can view it in its entirety or use the accessible filters to narrow down the search. 

Already have a grant in mind? Farmers can use the search option to go directly to the…

Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, August 29, 2023
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Wild Farm

Wild Farm Alliance is excited to announce that we have received funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to support California farmers in completing conservation plans for their farms. Interested farmers can work with Wild Farm Alliance to create one of the following types of plans: Beneficial Bird Habitat Plan, Pollinator Habitat Plan, or Carbon Farm Plan. Together, we will assess your farm’s natural resources and concerns, identify multiple opportunities for improvements, and prioritize plans for the best outcomes.

The completed plans will include some of…

Written by Jessy Beckett Parr on Thursday, August 24, 2023
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Car burned - Lahaina Fires

Photo by State Farm, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

My heart is with Hawaii.   

While processing the news of destruction and loss, I can’t help but think about the long-term agricultural land use of West Maui that led to the deadliest fire in recent US history.   

A decade ago, I traveled to visit a friend farming on Maui. Committed to farmer-organizing, he had joined the Hawaii Farmers Union and through their regular community gatherings he’d met farmers across the island. Together, we visited a small organic vegetable farm just up the road from Lahaina. This…

Written by Kelly Damewood on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
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Annual Report Carousel - July 2023

Dear CCOF members and supporters, 

Here at CCOF, we have a vision of a world where organic is the norm. We value integrity, courage, community, and representation of and for organic producers. Together, our vision and values compose a compass that directs and focuses our work supporting the organic community. In 2022, the CCOF Foundation returned over and over to these principles to evaluate whether our actions mirror our core values. Learn more about our work over the last year in our 2022 Annual Report. 

Examining our values alignment has inspired us to redesign our grant…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
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Hawaii

The CCOF Foundation offers relief funding for organic farms experiencing hardship, often due to climate disasters. When fires affect small organic farms, like the recent fires that devastated many communities on Maui and on several of the Hawaiian Islands, the CCOF Foundation is here to help. 

Please consider donating to the CCOF Foundation’s Hardship Assistance program. When we respond to climate disasters like this one, 100 percent of your donation will go directly to farmers in need. 

Donations can be made online at www.ccof.org/donate. Contact CCOF Foundation Donor…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Monday, August 7, 2023
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CAFF WhatsApp Group

If the agricultural industry is known for one thing, it would be the sense of community within farmers. Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is making it easier than ever to build the sense of community through the WhatsApp Groups. 

Are you Latino? Are you a farmer?

If you are looking to connect with other farmers, share and receive resources, keep yourself up-to-date with the latest policy shifts that impact your business, connect around labor, buy and sell, and organize in case of an emergency - join the CAFF WhatsApp Groups! They are entirely free, easy to use,…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Monday, August 7, 2023
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Sheila Wambui

The CCOF Foundation is proud to announce our newest 2023 Future Organic Farmers cohort! Thanks to the generosity of our donors who are passionate about fostering the next generation of organic farmers, we have supported 25 students with $5,000 toward their studies in organic agriculture. 

This direct funding supports students with tuition, educational materials and resources, internships or work experience expenses, and any costs directly associated with their organic studies to further their career development. This year’s cohort is full of driven individuals who have a strong…

Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, August 7, 2023
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Money bags in field

Certified organic operations across the US can apply for a reimbursement of 75% of their certification-related expenses up to a maximum of $750 per scope now through the end of October. Scopes are crops, wild crops, livestock, and processing/handling. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept cost share applications in all US states and territories.

Many state departments of agriculture are administering organic certification cost share in addition to FSA. Click here to view a directory of cost share contacts in each state.

To apply through FSA, contact your local FSA…

Written by Peter Nell on Monday, July 31, 2023
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Ext

We are looking for certified organic businesses across the country that are interested in hosting CCOF staff for CCOF’s Extended Education Program. Eligible activities for staff include volunteering on organic farms and ranches, assisting with education programs, and more.

CCOF’s Extended Education Program is available to CCOF staff who have completed five years of full-time service as CCOF employees. The goal of the program is for the CCOF staff members to strengthen their skill sets and deepen their understanding of CCOF’s mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthy…

Written by Rachel Witte on Monday, July 31, 2023
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CCOF 50th Anniversary - 2023

This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of CCOF and reflecting on how our organization has developed to what we are today. 

A formative part of our history is, of course, organic certification and the development of the organic standards at the California state and United States federal levels. This give-and-take relationship between CCOF and regulatory bodies has shaped us into who we are today. 

Take a peek with us today at CCOF’s journey from 1973 to 2023. 

1973

CCOF is founded! Activist growers seeking to promote and define organic production practices form a…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Monday, July 24, 2023
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HFC Grant

Horizon Farm Credit is hosting the second annual JumpStart grant program for beginning farmers. The JumpStart grant program is an annual grant designed to support the growth of the next generation of farmers and facilitate their entry into farming.

Application deadline: July 31, 4 p.m. EST.

Please see details below or Horizon Farm Credit’s website for additional information or to apply.

2023 JumpStart Grant Program 

General Program Overview

The JumpStart grant program is an annual grant offering to help the new generation of beginning farmers jump-…

Written by Hanali Lopez-Tapia on Monday, July 24, 2023
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Corn

First Nations Development Institute believes that reclaiming control over local food systems is an important step toward ensuring the long-lasting health and economic well-being of Native people and communities. Native food system control has the potential to increase food production, improve health and nutrition, and eliminate food insecurity in rural and reservation-based communities, while also promoting entrepreneurship and economic development.

The Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship encourages more Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college…