Winter 1996 (v8n1)
	California Farm Conference Set for VisaliaCalifornia Farm Conference Set for Visalia by Jeannette Warnert, UC Agricultural Communications, Fresno Tremendous strides this century in agricultural science and technology have not made traditional, small, family farms obsolete. In fact, 60,000 small farms in California produce crops valued at roughly $1 billion using sophisticated production and marketing systems. These innovations are the hallmark of the annual California Farm Conference, which this year brings farmers, farmers' market managers, ag consultants and other members of the ag industry from all over the state to the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in Visalia. Three days of workshops, tours, speakers and special events at the conference all focus on sustaining farm profitability. "Operating a successful farm requires many special skills and abilities," says conference coordinator David Visher, program representative for the University of California's Small Farm Program. "These talents-including an intimate understanding of land and crops, market intuition and familiarity with new ag technology-are nowhere more important than on small, family farms." The conference begins Sunday, Feb. 18, 1996 with optional tours and short courses, and formally opens that evening with a reception featuring California wine, food grown by local farmers and dishes prepared by local restaurant chefs. "The tasting offers participants the chance to taste some of the best food in the region, and perhaps more importantly, it helps connect the produce harvested on farms with the food on consumers' tables," Visher says. The agenda Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 19 and 20, features nationally known keynote speakers and nearly 40 workshops. The workshops focus on four themes: marketing, production, sustainability and farm management. "The workshops offer a wide variety of information, everything from improving soil fertility and using cover crop systems, to selling produce to restaurants and wholesale distributors," Visher says. "Participants can tailor the conference to their needs by selecting the workshops of their choice." Keynote speakers include Mas Masumoto, a Dinuba farmer and the celebrated author of Epitaph for a Peach, and Marty Strange, program director and co-founder of the Center for Rural Affairs in Walthill, Nebraska. The Center is devoted to the economic, social and environmental well being of rural America. Basic conference registration is $95. For more information, call the California Federation of Certified Farmers' Markets at (818) 449-0179 to request a registration packet. [ Back | Search | Feedback ]