Training

Information and training for farmers and ranchers is critical to the mission of the University of California Cooperative Extension. In Placer and Nevada Counties, the horticulture and livestock programs focus on providing practical, hands-on training to area farmers and ranchers to improve their skills and the profitability of their operations. We are fortunate to have a team of experienced producers who collaborate in the development and delivery of our training programs. Workshops, field days, and short courses are developed to meet the needs of both beginning and established producers.

Educational opportunities include:

Short Courses

• Farm Business Planning: an intensive 6-week course for experienced producers, is offered in February/March of each year.

Academies

• Beginning Farming Academy: an intensive, two-day class for those considering or just starting a farming or ranching operation. 
• California Grazing Academy: a two-day intensive hands-on field course in controlled grazing techniques.
• Marketing Academy: an intensive, two-day class that focuses on market-driven farming and helps growers hone their marketing strategies.
• Multi-species Academy: a two day intensive field course in managing sheep and goats.

Individual Workshops

These workshops are offered throughout the year on various topics, including:

• Integrated Pest Management: A series of five workshops (IPM Techniques, Citrus IPM, Grape IPM, Tree Fruit IPM, and Vegetable IPM) offered Feb-April in odd numbered years.
  
• Regulations that affect Farms and Ranches
• Agricultural Resources Fair

Field Days/On-farm Workshops

• Soil & Water Management in Vegetable Crops
• Lambing School
• Soil & Water Management in Orchard Crops
• Greenhouse and High Tunnel Production
• Vineyard, Orchard and Vegetable Field Days
• Pasture Irrigation

What Is a Field Day?

The field day schedule for Sierra CRAFT includes farm visits throughout the six county region. Each of our field days are hosted by a different farm and will generally include the following activities:

• a farm tour/field-walk
• a talk or workshop on a specific topic/ activity that is an important element of a sustainable farm: most of our speakers will be experienced farmers, but when helpful, we will have a variety of voices address the topic from market managers to technical professionals
• a brown bag lunch
• time for networking and discussion

Transportation to each farm should be arranged personally, unless otherwise stated. Carpooling is encouraged.

Field Meetings

• Commodity specific, e.g. mandarin or wine grape meeting in a vineyard or orchard to discuss a particular topic such as pruning, irrigation, etc.
• Pasture walks