Welcome to the 35th annual California Small Farm Conference, a week of learning, inspiration and movement-building. Our hybrid conference features over 50 online workshops, videos, and interactive forums, as well as in-person gatherings around the state. Admission is on a sliding scale. Please pay what you can to help make this event possible and accessible to everyone. All events are virtual except those listed "Gathering" on Thursday & Friday.
Over the last two decades, Farm to School has evolved to take different shapes in different places. In many cases, food hubs/mainline distributors (Sunrise, Goldstar) facilitate connections between farmers and K-12 schools, but the Inland Empire has found success by adopting a "Farmer Active" model. This model centers farmers - they are the relationship owners, they are the procurement drivers, they expand on school gardens experiences with real on-farm experiences. This workshop will feature...
- A three-person panel comprised of a farmer, food hub director, and Child Nutrition Director in conversation about what the Inland Empire's "Farmer Active" model looks like - Farmer Active vs Farmer Passive - Case study - farmers owning the relationships with CND's allows for new product development that caters to their needs (pre-sliced produce)
