Community Alliance With Family Farmers (CAFF) has always advocated for a more localized food system. But we also recognize that every decision we make—at the grocery store, in the voting […]
In the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture, staying up-to-date of the latest marketing strategies is crucial for farmers aiming to thrive in the modern marketplace. The Winter 2024 Webinar Series on […]
Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) has introduced AB 2313 which would create a new program to increase equipment access for small and underserved growers as well as offering essential technical assistance […]
While ag tech might conjure images of robots and satellite-driven tractors plowing vast acreages, some innovators are focusing their ingenuity on the needs of smaller-scale farmers. That’s in part thanks […]
CAFF Sends Fellow to Fire Practitioner Training Last fall, CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program sent Josh Harjes, its resident Grizzly Corps fellow, to a Firefighter Type 2 training in northwestern Sonoma […]
Every year, our community recognizes amazing farms, individuals and local businesses making a difference in our food system. Selected from hundreds of nominations by people like you, the 2024 California […]
A Workshop with Cheetah Tchudi on Mycoremediation All photos taken by Michael Berlin In December 2022, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers partnered with TurkeyTail Farm to co-host a workshop […]
Have you been holding off on buying that new wash station, food processing equipment, cold storage or electric delivery van? The U.S. Department of Agriculture is partnering with the California […]
The priorities identified here are a direct result of an intensive farmer-listening process engaging nearly 600 food producers through a multilingual online survey, over a dozen regional meetings, and one-on-one […]
Today California Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2024-25 state budget proposal, which makes significant cuts to climate and sustainable agriculture funding to address an almost $38 billion budget deficit. Community […]
On December 5th, the Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) held a field day at the LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard in Acampo, CA. The surprisingly warm weather attracted a […]
On a chilly March morning in Northern California, a group of ranchers, land stewards, and fire practitioners held an all day workshop on a land management practice called pile burning. Justin […]
On October 5th, attendees gathered at Riverwood Farm in Biggs, California to listen to Kaben Kramer of Tenderly Rooted tell his story of creating a Direct to Consumer market for […]
On a warm September evening in Merced, CA, hundreds of students and families gathered for “Back to School Night” across Merced City School District’s 14 elementary schools. Fortunately for attendees […]
Earlier this year, CAFF kicked off a massive project in the San Joaquin Valley to help support family farms there and strengthen the local food economy, in partnership with UC […]
Please take a few moments (no more than 10 minutes) to complete this year’s survey. The results from this survey help us better understand what issues are most important […]
In this episode we delve into all things on-farm composting, from its production to its use and relevant agricultural policies. We hear from Abel Ruiz at CRECE Farming Collective in […]
Foto del Western Center for Food Safety ¿Es usted un agricultor que necesita realizar análisis del agua en su granja? CAFF cubrirá los gastos de los análisis microbiológicos del agua de […]
Do you want to learn more about the ins and outs of planting and managing cover crops from growers with cover crop experience? Check out our Cover Crops in Orchards […]
On June 29th, Lopes Family Farms hosted a field day with Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) in Princeton, CA focused on rice and duck farming, a Biologically Integrated Farming […]
Marketlink is now registering farms for the SNAP online payment solution for direct marketing farmers. The press release can be viewed here. For interested farmers, the first step is […]
Sacramento, CA -— Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the 2023-24 budget bill. The Community Alliance with Family Farmers supports the final state budget agreement and is pleased to see the […]
Farm to School programs are popping up across the nation! Communities see the educational and nutritional values of providing fresh and local food for students and the economic benefits to […]
For 45 years, CAFF has been the voice of family-scale agriculture in California. As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, we are thrilled to share with you—the farmers, food system advocates, […]
What is an Ag/Livestock Pass? The Agriculture and Livestock Pass Identification Card is a form of verification that allows farmers and ranchers to access their properties and tend to their […]
CAFF’s Biointensive No-Till Project is an on-farm demonstration project partnering with small, diversified vegetable farms in Northern California who are committed to minimizing tillage and interested in learning about how […]
The Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) held a Biologically Integrated Orchard System (BIOS) field day at Locke Ranch on May 23rd. Attendees were treated to a walk through the […]
In this episode, we learn about integrated crop livestock management from two Northern California Farms. First, we hear from Lorraine Walker of Eatwell Farm in Dixon, CA, where they incorporate […]
Photo from the Western Center for Food Safety Are you a farmer who needs to conduct water testing on your farm? CAFF will cover the costs of microbiological water testing […]
Today California Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2023-24 May Revision Budget proposal. While we commend the Governor for addressing the devastating effects of climate change on the agriculture community, with severe swings […]
Happy wildfire community preparedness day! Have you ever looked at your calendar and noticed there’s a holiday that you’ve never heard of before? Sure, there are the ones that are […]
“BIPOC Produce” is a new Fresno-based initiative involving over 90 BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Color) farmers whose founder, Keng Vang, is from a Hmong family of farmers. After […]
The Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) held a Biologically Integrated Orchard System (BIOS) field day at Chinchiolo Farms on April 20th. After a very wet winter, attendees enjoyed the […]
California has been pummeled by an intense series of winter storms and atmospheric rivers since December 2022. While the rains provide much-needed drought relief, filling up reservoirs and watering thirsty […]
The Local Food Producers Bill, if passed, will help identify and create a legal definition for “Local Food Producers”, independently-owned farms operated on less than 500 acres who sell direct […]
[SACRAMENTO, CA] – Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) has introduced AB 552 which would create a new program to increase equipment access for small and mid-scale growers. The program will increase […]
SIGN ON TODAY! Summary Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and the California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN) are sponsoring AB 552 to create the California Small & Underserved Farmer […]
New year new member spotlights! In 2023 we hope to bring you all a wide range of members from all walks who are excited to share what being a member […]
Proving that innovation thrives on a small-scale, the winners of the 3rd annual Small Farm Innovation Challenge bring appropriate tech solutions to local agriculture. This competition, hosted each year by […]
In the Fall of 2022 we embarked on our annual intensive farmer listening process, organizing over a dozen multilingual farmer gatherings, distributing our online survey to hundreds of growers, and […]
Every year, we honor change-makers, trailblazers and those giving back to their local food and agricultural communities. From innovative farmers to grassroots organizers, these are the people who give us […]
Hoy en día, el cambio climático, la propagación de plantas invasivas y la actualización de prácticas agrícolas están aumentando constantemente la frecuencia de los incendios forestales. Como resultado, es importante […]
Sacramento, CA -— Today California Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2023-24 state budget proposal which maintains essential drought relief but threatens cuts to infrastructure investments for California’s small-scale and underserved […]
During this season of giving, we found joy not only in receiving but in giving. And this year was a record-breaking year of giving for CAFF! To help small farmers […]
To wrap up 2022, we’re shining the last Member Spotlight of the year on Monica Lin from Foodshed in San Diego. Monica is very involved with her community and is truly […]
CAFF’s Small Farm Tech Hub hosted a data training for the Small Farm which was a three-part webinar series held during November-December 2022. The webinar recordings are provided below along with […]
CAFF’s Tech Hub is hosting a three part webinar series on value-added products and success stories of small producers using Ecommerce. The series highlights farmers who have developed their business […]
Anna Knight spent much of her youth trying to get away from the farm–sports and an off-farm job ensured she always had an excuse not to join her family at […]
In this episode, we travel to First Rain Farm in Nevada County, where Tim Van Wagner is integrating a number of effective wildfire preparation methods on his property, as well […]
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) hosted a Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) field day on November 30th in Clements, CA. Farmer Alicia Lewis-Rikkonen arranged a demonstration of a novel […]
Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash CAFF’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Scholarship Program provides partial funding for farmers to work with Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy, Inc. to write and […]
Un nuevo programa a través de la Agencia de servicios agrícolas del USDA está proporcionando el reembolso de los gastos del programa de inocuidad alimentaria en la granja relacionados con […]
A new program through USDA’s Farm Service Agency is providing reimbursement for on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 and/or 2023. […]
CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program provides specialized recovery and preparedness resources for small farms and communities in California impacted by wildfire and those seeking to prepare against future threats. One of […]
Just like that it’s fall! Each season brings new tasty fruits and veggies. For this month we’re highlighting a farm that provides their community with a wide range of delicious […]
This year for the first time in his farming career, Donald Sherman made a sale to a school district. Mr. Sherman has been interested in providing fresh produce to local […]
Note: This webinar series has passed. Click here to watch the webinar series on CAFF’s YouTube Channel. Are you a farmer or rancher interested in producing or scaling a value-added […]
This interview is part of our Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) case study series. In earlier case studies we interviewed other farmers and they talked about food safety practices they […]
After that September heatwave the temperatures dropped, and all of a sudden the slight hint of fall was in the air! Even though fall is coming soon, our local farmers […]
Today the USDA halted an Almond Board rule change that would have prohibited direct online sales of raw almonds, which farmers had previously been pursuing as part of the roadside […]
The Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) hosted our fourth Biologically Integrated Orchard System (BIOS) field day, titled “Effective IPM Strategies for Major Walnut Pests,” at Blossom Farms on July […]
This week, the United States Department of Food and Agriculture announced California’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) at the Yolo Food Bank – a member of the California […]
Summer is at its peak and all the farmers are working hard to harvest all the delicious veggies from their fields, like the three amazing farmers at Brisa Ranch. We […]
In continuing to promote the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) held its third field day event hosted at Unruh Farms located in Princeton, […]
It’s not always obvious that some of the ecological farming practices used frequently by farmers, also provide wildfire protection and recovery benefits. Check out the infographic below which was developed […]
This week, the California State Legislature passed and Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of budget bills that include significant investments in drought relief for small farms. After spending months […]
Esta hoja informativa proporciona una descripción general de las tres categorías de fincas dentro de la Ley Federal de Modernización de la Seguridad Alimentaria (FSMA por sus siglas en inglés) […]
Esta hoja informativa explica los registros que deben tener las fincas para estar en pleno cumplimiento con FSMA(por sus siglas en inglés) y los compara con los registros que se […]
Esta hoja informativa proporciona una descripción general de lo que las granjas deben tener para un plan de inocuidad de los alimentos por escrito si necesitan estar en pleno cumplimiento […]
Esta hoja informativa proporciona una descripción general de lo que las granjas que necesitan estar en pleno cumplimiento con la Ley Federal de Modernización de la Seguridad Alimentaria (FSMA por […]
Esta hoja informativa proporciona una descripción general de lo que una granja debe hacer para cumplir con la Ley Federal de Modernización de la Seguridad Alimentaria (FSMA por sus siglas […]
Esta hoja informativa proporciona una descripción general sobre lo que las granjas que necesitan estar en pleno cumplimiento con la Ley Federal de Modernización de la Seguridad Alimentaria (FSMA) deben […]
Esta hoja informativa explica qué deben hacer las granjas que necesitan cumplir plenamente con la Ley federal de Modernización de la Seguridad Alimentaria (FSMA por sus siglas en inglés) para […]
Key Details: Location: San Francisco bay area , near Pescadero Acres in Production: 16 Main Crops: Fruit, vegetables, flowers Wildfire: CZU Complex in 2020 3rd Party Audit(s): USDA Harmonized GAP […]
With a third year of severe drought and another wildfire season already heating up, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is relaunching its California Family Farmer Emergency Fund for farmers […]
Confused about FSMA Water Requirements? In 2011 President Obama signed into law the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The law updated our federal food safety requirements and for the first […]
The most consequential groundwater policy in California history has so far failed to include small and underrepresented farmers, according to a new report. Passed in 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management […]