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Welcome to the 37th annual California Small Farm Conference, a week-long event featuring over 40 online workshops as well as a dozen in-person gatherings around the state. Whether you’re a beginning farmer or a seasoned grower, a local food advocate or a farmers market manager, you’ll find something here for you. This year’s theme, "Rooted in Place", honors the vital relationship between farmers, communities and the land they steward.

Check out the schedule below for event times and locations. Click "Reserve Tickets" to register. Admission is on a sliding-scale, to ensure everyone can attend. Please select the amount you’re comfortable paying. Enjoy the conference!

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Friday, February 28
 

TBA

Northern San Joaquin Valley Regional Gathering
Farmers and local food advocates are invited to the Northern San Joaquin Valley regional gathering to mix, mingle, and enjoy food and drinks as a culminating event to this year's California Small Farm Conference. Field day and/or public viewings of select workshops may be added to the lineup. Stay tuned for more information.

Organizer
avatar for Moet Takata

Moet Takata

Ecological Pest Management Program Manager, CAFF
Moet supports the Ecological Pest Management Program to help farmers implement and sustain ecological pest management practices through applied research and outreach. She is based in the San Joaquin Valley, and conducts on-farm experiments in walnut orchards and winegrape vineyards... Read More →
Friday February 28, 2025 TBA
Lagier Ranches - 16161 Murphy Rd, Escalon, CA 95320 16161 Murphy Rd, Escalon, CA 95320

8:00am PST

Mendo / Lake Farmer’s Convergence
Friday February 28, 2025 8:00am - 5:00pm PST
Details coming soon.

Organizers of this gathering include the Mendo-Lake Food Hub, School of Adaptive Agriculture, CDFA Farm to School Program, and the Blue Zones.

Friday February 28, 2025 8:00am - 5:00pm PST
Ridgewood Ranch - 11800 Orchard Ln, Willits, CA 95490 11800 Orchard Ln, Willits, CA 95490

9:00am PST

Merced / San Joaquin Valley Gathering
Friday February 28, 2025 9:00am - 3:00pm PST
The SJV Regional Gathering connects farmers, community members and supporters of family farms in the Central Valley to come together, meet one another and grow our community. In 2025, our regional gathering will also include workshops and a buyer-farmer mixer focused on connecting small-scale farmers with buyers. 
Organizer
avatar for Rasheed Hislop

Rasheed Hislop

Farm to Market Senior Manager, CAFF
Selling produce. Developing direct markets (CSAs). Helping small farmers access institutional markets. Food Hubs.
Friday February 28, 2025 9:00am - 3:00pm PST
Merced Community College - 3600 M St, Merced, CA 95348 3600 M St, Merced, CA 95348

9:30am PST

Ventura Regional Gathering
Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 2:00pm PST
TBA
Explore the Rio School District Farm with Farmer Edgar in the morning, where a regenerative farm education project offers an inspiring tour from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. This hands-on experience showcases sustainable practices and educational initiatives in action.

After lunch at noon, join us for an engaging afternoon at the Rodale Institute California Organic Center, located at McGrath Family Farms. Here, visitors will dive into our ongoing research projects that drive organic and regenerative agriculture in California, including soil health advancements and reduced-tillage vegetable production methods.

Cost: $20 includes lunch (please register at Rodale Institute's website to reserve your tickets!)
Organizer
Friday February 28, 2025 9:30am - 2:00pm PST
TBA

10:00am PST

Los Angeles Regional Gathering
Farmers and local food advocates are invited to the Los Angeles regional gathering to mix, mingle, and enjoy food and drinks as a culminating event to this year's California Small Farm Conference. Field day and/or public viewings of select workshops may be added to the lineup.

RSVP is required to enter this event. Stay tuned for the link to register.

Organizer
avatar for Guido Lois

Guido Lois

Bilingual Communications & Events Manager, CAFF
Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 2:00pm PST
GrowGood Urban Farm - 5600 Rickenbacker Rd, Bell, CA 90201, United States 5600 Rickenbacker Rd, Bell, CA 90201, United States

10:00am PST

Nevada County Field Day: Small Farm Equipment & Maintenance
*NOTE: this special event requires an additional registration and fee. See above*

On-farm Field Days are half-day workshops featuring farmer-to-farmer education, hands-on skill building, practical tools for beginning farmers, and networking opportunities.

Small Farm Equipment & Maintenance📅 Friday, February 28, 2025 10am – 2:30pm
📍 Feeding Crane Farm, Penn Valley
🍴 Lunch and refreshments included

🚜 Farmer scholarships available!

Join us for a hands-on, half-day workshop designed to help small-scale farmers understand and maintain their essential equipment. Whether you’re new to farming or looking to improve the efficiency of your current operations, this workshop will cover the basics of small farm equipment, from tillers and tractors and other common tools used on small farms. Participants will learn about proper maintenance techniques, troubleshooting common issues, and tips for extending the lifespan of equipment. Experts will also share advice on when to repair or replace equipment, as well as how to keep costs manageable. This interactive session will include hands-on activities, demonstrations, and ample time for Q&A, leaving you with the knowledge to keep your equipment running smoothly for maximum productivity.

Click here to apply for a farmer scholarship.

Who Should Attend: Small-scale farmers, new farm operators, and anyone looking to learn more about farm equipment & maintenance.

Organizer
avatar for Kali Feiereisel

Kali Feiereisel

Farmer Services Director, CAFF
Friday February 28, 2025 10:00am - 2:30pm PST
Feeding Crane Farms - Address to be shared with registrants closer to the event Address to be shared with registrants closer to the event

1:00pm PST

Inland Empire Regional Gathering
Farmers and local food advocates are invited to the Inland Empire regional gathering to mix, mingle, and enjoy food and drinks as a culminating event to this year's California Small Farm Conference. Field day and/or public viewings of select workshops may be added to the lineup. Stay tuned for more information.

Organizer
avatar for Patrick Mitchell

Patrick Mitchell

Farm Operations and Cultural Center Manager, Five Keys Ecological Agriculture Training Cultural Center and Farm
Friday February 28, 2025 1:00pm - 5:00pm PST
Five Keys’ Ecological Agriculture Training Farm - 4208 California Ave Norco, 92860 4208 California Ave Norco, 92860

3:00pm PST

North Valley Regional Gathering
Farmers and local food advocates are invited to the North Valley regional gathering to mix, mingle, and enjoy food together as a culminating event to this year's California Small Farm Conference, hosted in partnership with the North Valley Food Hub and the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS). Join us for a tour of CSU Chico’s Organic Dairy, connect with other farmers, and share your reflections on the conference. 


Organizer
avatar for Emily Ayala

Emily Ayala

Ecological Farming Program Specialist, CAFF
Emily supports the Climate Smart Farming Program and Ecological Pest Management Program to assist farmers and ranchers implement and sustain pragmatic agroecological practices. She has lived and worked in agriculture in the Central Valley, Bay Area, and Spain, and is committed to... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Benjamin Lewis

Benjamin Lewis

Implementation Specialist, North Valley Food Hub / Grower Outreach Coordinator, Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems
Benjamin worked on farms in Pennsylvania and Vermont and as a Soil Health intern at Rodale Institute while achieving his B.S. in Biology before moving to California to study Agricultural Ecology through a master’s program at U.C. Davis. After co-founding a small fruit and vegetable... Read More →
avatar for Lindsey Hethcote

Lindsey Hethcote

Program Manager Conservation Planning and Education, Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems
Lindsey Hethcote, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, is currently the Conservation Project Coordinator for CRARS. After graduating from the University of Denver with a B.A. in Environmental Science, Lindsey spent time in the States and in Peru working in environmental education... Read More →
avatar for Joey Haney

Joey Haney

North Valley Food Hub Market Manager, Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems
Joey Haney, North Valley Food Hub Market Manager, has worked in the regional food industry for over a decade. He is eager to build agricultural resiliency by forging new connections between farmers and buyers.
Friday February 28, 2025 3:00pm - 6:00pm PST
Chico State University Farm Pavilion - 311 Nicholas C Shouten Ln, Chico, CA 95928 311 Nicholas C Shouten Ln, Chico, CA 95928
 
From $20.00


2025 California Small Farm Conference
From $20.00
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