The sun rises over California row crops.
 

Dear Friend,

News from American Farmland Trust in California 

Happy New Year! We wish you a happy and healthy 2024 filled with many delicious and bountiful meals with friends and family.

Here are some stories, programs, and funding opportunities around the Golden State that support farmland protection, regenerative agriculture, and California farmers and ranchers this winter.

 
American Farmland Trust staff stand together in front of a little pond.

All the best in 2024 from American Farmland Trust's California team! We look forward to working with you this year.

 
Park Farming Company is the 2023 Leopold Conservation Award winner in California.

California Leopold Conservation Award Winner

Congratulations to Park Farming Organics for receiving the 2023 California Leopold Conservation Award from the Sand County Foundation last month. AFT is proud to cosponsor this annual conservation award with the California Farm Bureau and Sustainable Conservation in California. See how this organic farm is setting the standard for regenerative agricultural practices.

 
Cover crops and pollinator plants are California conservation practices that are funded.

2024 Funding Opportunities for California Producers

California farmers and ranchers can take advantage of several funding opportunities to increase their climate resilience and implement similar types of regenerative agricultural practices as this award-winning farm.

Do you farm in the San Joaquin Valley? Apply before Jan. 12 for funding to implement 14 different conservation practices on your farm. This grant is a partnership between AFT, USDA-NRCS, and local conservation districts. See what is covered and find contacts for support.

 

Find more information about other financial assistance programs across California with this new AFT resource. Don’t wait! Some deadlines are right around the corner. Download our free funding guide now.

 
biochar in man's hand

What's the Dirt about Biochar?

As California agriculture deals with historic floods, droughts, and wildfires, could a stable, high-carbon soil amendment called “biochar” help improve soil health, mitigate climate change, and protect our food supply? Apparently, it could.

Read more about biochar and find funding opportunities to implement this practice on your farm. Join us on Jan. 24, 2024, at 11 am PDT for a webinar on biochar implementation. We’ll also be at the 2024 North America Biochar Conference on Feb. 12-14, 2024.

 
latina woman in farm field among crops

We'll be at EcoFarm (Jan. 17-20, 2024)

At the 44th annual EcoFarm Conference in Asilomar, AFT is pleased to join California Certified Organic Farmers, Daily Harvest, and Queen of the Harvest to co-host a workshop called Supporting Small Scale BIPOC Farmers Transition to Organic.

Attendees will learn how this partnership provides financial support, 1:1 technical assistance, market support, and mentorship opportunities to diverse California farmers. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you’re at the show.

veteran farmer with son and goat

Supporting a Fresno Veteran Poultry Farmer

When Nathan Fielding and his family moved to rural Fresno in 2017, this actively serving Army mobility officer decided to rear his own poultry. A Brighter Futures Fund grant from AFT is now helping this young farmer to expand his operations with his wife.

Did you know? Since 2020, AFT (with the support of Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tractor Supply Company, and others) has directly provided about $4.5 million in grants to more than 2,000 farmers nationwide.

 

Perspectives from the Field about Solar

Last fall, AFT’s Western Solar Specialist traveled to the Golden State to attend two different events. One was the first California Germany Solar Conference at UC Davis, and the second was the Latino Farmers Conference. Here are his observations about what California needs to do to protect agriculture and support renewable energy simultaneously.

 

Resources to Support California Agriculture

Find information about AFT’s programs to support California farmers and ranchers with research, policy, and in field programming. You’ll find us at farmland.org/California.

 

No Farms No Food® is a trademark of American Farmland Trust

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American Farmland Trust
1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 600  | Washington, District of Columbia 20036
(202) 331-7300 | info@farmland.org

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