The California Small Farm Conference (CSFC) has opened registration for the 29th California Small Farm Conference, the state’s premier gathering for small-scale farmers, ranchers, and farmers’ market managers. The conference is scheduled to run March 5 through 8, 2016, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Sacramento.
The 2016 Keynote Speaker is Mark Bittman, one of America’s best-known and most widely respected food writers. He covered food policy as an Opinion columnist for The New York Times for five years, produced “The Minimalist” column for 13 years, and has starred in several popular television series, including the Emmy-winning Years of Living Dangerously. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear Mr. Bittman talk about how food has the power to make or break not only our personal health but also that of the planet.
New this year will be even more networking opportunities. The Monday Morning Mixer will have experts standing by to answer questions and share information about: Farmland Leases; Getting Access to Land; Farm Succession; Making Good Financial Decisions; and On-Farm Training Opportunities. There will also be three “Table Talks” led by experts on: Creating On-Farm Habitat for Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects; Ability Solutions: Arthritis, Disability and Aging Farmers; and The Realities of Small-Scale Mixed Veggie, Fruit and Poultry Farming. In addition to the Sunday Field Courses, organizers have added an all-day onsite Short Course: Starting a Specialty Food Business.
Additionally, the deadline to apply for a scholarship to attend the California Small Farm Conference is Friday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
Apply online at californiafarmconference.com/scholarship.
Additional information on the 2016 CSFC, including hotel and workshop information, can be found at CaliforniaFarmConference.com.
The goal of the conference is to promote the success and viability of small farming operations and certified farmers’ markets through short courses, tours and workshops. The three-day Conference is held in a different California city each year and attracts approximately 400 attendees.
