- Author: Linda Peterson
New and beginning farmers and ranchers in California now have an agricultural MicroLoan credit option to consider. As of Jan. 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will offer its customers a MicroLoan designed to help farmers and ranchers with credit needs of $35,000 or less.
Local FSA can be reached at 707-664-8593.
- Author: Linda Peterson
On less than three acres, Susan Bryer and Ernie Shelton grow a significant portion of the produce for Shelton’s Natural Foods Market in Healdsburg. Bryer, a graduate of the Sonoma County Beginning Farmer & Rancher Training program, had prior experience with a backyard garden, but when she met up with Ernie, she had to ratchet up her skill set to tackle this much larger acreage. To read the full article, click here.
- Author: Linda Peterson
For those interested in using horses on your farm or ranch, or just more understanding of how to work with horses, this is a great opportunity! New Family Farm (who use draft horses on their farm) is hosting a 3 day workshop by Doc Hammill.
October 18, 7:00-9:30pm, Doc's presentation, "The Mind of the Horse" is free and open to the public at the Sebastopol Grange on Hwy 12. This presentation is interesting to many and appropriate for all equine disciplines.
"October, 19-21, 2012: Sebastopol, California, 1st Annual Driving and Farming with Horses in Harness Workshop. Three full days of hands on instruction and farming with working horses.
Event hosted by WHOA For information, contact Doc, workshops@dochammill.com or (406) 250-8252.
- Author: Linda Peterson
Adding Value
Value-added agriculture usually refers to food processing by a farmer or rancher. Farmers and ranchers who also process their fruits, vegetables, or animal products can create an additional marketing and revenue stream for their business. Read on for details
- Author: Linda Peterson
Here is the first of three articles to appear in the Edible Marin & Wine Country magazine on the activities of our 25 agriculturalists studying farming, ranching & business planning. The second one will be in Fall issue and the third in Winter issue.
Check it out! This is an on-line "flip the page" magazine, so flip to page 7 to see our article.
http://onlinedigeditions.com/publication/?i=111974
They also distribute hard copies of the publication in various locations in the three county area (including at their advertisers' establishments, i.e. The Epicurean Connection in downtown Sonoma).
