EcoFarm GenNext | Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

EcoFarm Generation Next is a network that seeks to nurture and support California and the nation’s next generation of sustainable and organic farmers through technical training, mentorship, peer support and inspiration.

EcoFarm GenNext:

Funding for Beginning Farmers

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program -
Deadline April 6, 2010

EcoFarm Conference
Beginning Farmer Track

Although the Ecological Farming Conference has been historically attended by beginning and experienced farmers alike, in the last decade, conference evaluations began to show a difference in needs between beginning and advanced farmers.  

With the support of beginning farmer programs like California FarmLink and the Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA), as well as the participation of beginning farmers on staff and planning committees, EcoFarm is improving the quality of beginning farmer offerings.  

At the 2010 EcoFarm Conference we have formalized the beginning farmer track, offering 7 workshops targeted specifically for beginning farmers. With support from the USDA, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative and Horizon Organic we are offering 13, $250 scholarships for beginning farmer attendance at the conference.

EcoFarm Generation Next
Web Community

The EcoFarm Generation Next network includes a EcoFarm GenNext Blog, with a panel of experienced farmers that will answer posted beginning farmer questions and engage with beginning farmer participants for sustained mentoring, support and inspiration.

EcoFarm Generation Next
Field Days and Mentor Meetings

In order to build on the networking, training and inspiration of the EcoFarm Conference, EcoFarm will provide on-going in-season technical assistance and support through 6 - 8 yearly between-conference meetings and field days based on training needs expressed by network participants.  

The meetings will be scheduled regionally and will feature experienced farmers or other resource experts mentoring beginning farmers on specific techniques and issues related to production, marketing, and management.  

Field days will be half-day on-farm meetings that include farm tours and/or hands-on training in innovative techniques. The meetings will also have scheduled time for social networking and peer support.

Beginning Farmer Events in March:

ALBA's calendar of events (All classes are billingual)

Farmer Field Day
Saturday, March 6, 2010
2:00pm-4:00pm
Rural Development Center
1700 Old Stage Road
Salinas, CA 93908

Educational Workshop
Monday, March 29, 2010
5:00pm-7:00pm
Rural Development Center
1700 Old Stage Road
Salinas, CA 93908

Sustainable Ag Jobs List

 EcoFarm hosts a sustainable agriculture jobs list, which currently has over 1000 subscribers. The list regularly posts jobs in California, nationally and internationally. Click here to join the list: