Organic certification requires producers to maintain detailed records from seed to sale. While these records are essential for certification and inspections, they are equally valuable tools for any farm, providing important insights into a farming operation and helping fine tune farm businesses. This workshop introduces farmers to practical recordkeeping strategies that work for both certified and noncertified operations.

Native bee pollinators connect natural habitats with agricultural areas, depending on natural habitats for forage and nesting resources during part of the year and on agricultural areas for the rest. As such, they provide essential pollinat…

This directory, produced by Friends of the Earth, lists California organic farmer networks, food hubs, aggregators, and produce distributors that sell to institutional buyers, including school districts. Organized by region — Northern, Central, Southern, and Statewide — it profiles each organization's mission, distribution area, and organic product offerings, serving as a sourcing reference for schools seeking certified organic foods.

Organic certification can open doors for small farms — but what does it actually take to get there? In this workshop from the 38th Annual California Small Farm Conference, we dig into the benefits certification can offer, including access to larger markets and funding sources, while addressing the challenges that keep farms from applying and what farmers can do to overcome those barriers.

A field trial in the Salinas Valley compared a brush hoe cultivator (Bartchi Fobro Co., Switzerland) to conventional cultivators for weed control in cool-season vegetables. Seven on-farm trials showed the brush hoe cultivated closer to the…

This guidebook introduces producer marketing cooperatives as a vehicle for small-scale farmers to collectively improve market access, pricing, and business stability. It covers cooperative functions, member responsibilities, alternatives to cooperatives, and includes a marketing planning supplement addressing ideal client profiles, messaging frameworks, and website essentials to help cooperatives achieve revenue growth.

This workshop highlights two Western SARE research projects aimed at enhancing sustainable agriculture in California. Jesse Trace of Traceland Ranch (Cayucos, CA) will discuss his work on implementing rehydration/restoration practices to increase water infiltration and crop production, and Alex Palmerlee of Far View Ranch (Bangor, CA) will talk about how grazing management can aid in natural oak recruitment as a landscape-scale solution.

Weed control is a major challenge for organic growers, ranking as the second greatest concern for organic fruit and nut producers, according to the 3rd Biennial National Organic Farmers' Survey. Options for weed management in organic farmin…

From USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, this resource page compiles guides and programs supporting farmer cooperatives. It links to publications covering cooperative basics, member roles, startup processes, feasibility studies, and federal statutes. It also highlights USDA programs available to cooperative businesses and their members.

Growing organic citrus and avocados requires a strategic approach to soil health, irrigation, and pest management—especially in subtropical coastal regions. This workshop covers best organic practices to maintain tree health while reducing the risk of pests and diseases.

A native egg parasite, Trichogramma thalense, was mass-reared and released up to thirteen times against the eggs of the artichoke plume moth (Platyptilia carduidactyla) in three 5-acre biointensive artichoke fields along the northern Santa…

This SARE publication provides guidance to farmers considering expanding their operations and branching out into wholesale markets. Topics include business planning, working with wholesale buyers, and areas of production that range from increasing yield and produce quality, to harvest and postharvest handling, food safety and more.