California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • The Legacy Continues Eberle Winery 1979-2019 Celebrating 40 Years of Fine Winemaking

    Long time pioneer of the Paso Robles Wine Appellation, Gary Eberle celebrates his 40 years at Eberle Winery with a year-long tribute to his longevity and success in the world’s wine industry.  Labeled “Legacy,” this year will be a conglomeration of awards, seminars, wine tastings and dinners to celebrate Gary’s 46 year vision and tireless work to support the local wine industry in Paso Robles.

    On March 2nd, 2019, Eberle was awarded the esteemed Robert Mondavi Hospitality Award at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles, CA.  This event, in addition to an exclusive “Legacy” Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon and a gala at the winery on July 13, 2019 will help spotlight the many contributions Eberle has made to the wine industry.  Other events, educational seminars and museum-quality installations are being created by the San Luis Obispo County Wine History Project and its Director, Libbie Agran.

    Marcy Eberle, who is working with everyone involved, says she’s overcome by the importance of this milestone.  “Gary has been in the wine industry for 46 years.  He founded two wineries—Estrella River Winery and Eberle Winery—and continues to be the backbone of what we do here.  Forty years for a family-run winery is huge.  The fact that we are one of the highest award-winning wineries in the country is huge.  The reality that he truly loves every day of his life being a part of Eberle—not too many people get to live life like this.  I’m so proud of him and his legacy.”

    Please join Eberle Winery throughout 2019 as we celebrate Gary Eberle’s 75th birthday, his Robert Mondavi award, a film showcasing his history and 40 years of living his Legacy.  For events information, please visit www.eberlewinery.com.  Or call 805-238-9607.

  • Cultivating An Effective Strategy for Productivity and Growth

    Introduction

    How much inventory did you have left over from the last harvest season? What about two seasons ago? For produce processors the answers to these questions can be a make or break proposition. Thin gross margins, fluctuating commodity prices and ever-increasing storage costs make proper inventory management critical to the overall profitability of your operation. As such, it is imperative to sell what you buy every year. In this article, we use a hypothetical company that sells a variety of products with two types of commodity availability. Some are available throughout the year, but one fresh product is only available for a short period of time.  This causes a significant spike in production for a few months. It also demands a rigorous storage plan. We will discuss three key planning areas: Sales, Production, and Warehouse/Logistics. We will also discuss how they must all work together to achieve success.

    Sales

    The entire process begins, of course, with the sales forecast. It is the foundational key to effectively planning commodity purchases and production; projecting how much we need to meet this year’s demand and when we need it. The graph below shows a typical aggregate demand pattern depicting seasonal demand that is at its highest early in the calendar year.

    As you can imagine, this type of demand presents some challenges. Because of our uneven production cycle we will have to produce and store a high percentage of our limited availability commodity.

    The sales forecast needs to have a high degree of detail and should be at the customer item level by month in pounds. This detail should forecast at least 80% of expected demand for the coming year. This is critical information for the operations and finance teams as it helps in building the production schedule and timing of material purchases. It also allows finance to manage working capital and liquidity needs effectively. The impact of improper planning can be devastating.

    It is important to understand that building a sales forecast is an iterative process. It is very unlikely that the sales team will have good demand visibility for the first pass which is based heavily on prior year demand and initial harvest indications from your grower network. Of note, we have found that using more than the previous year’s demand provides little value to the process. Consumer habits change rapidly. The second and third forecast passes continue to refine quantity and timing based on customer discussions and continued grower feedback. The third pass should be an accurate vision of the demand for the coming year. Finally, the forecast should be reviewed at a detailed level throughout the year to adjust for raw material issues and changes in demand and customer delivery timing.

    Production

    As we mentioned at the outset of this article, one of our production challenges is the limited time that our main product is available. The graph below shows our annual production cycle.

    The implications are obvious. This spike pattern has significant implications to primary commodity purchasing decisions that include yield considerations and unforeseen demand.  Other important issues to review include labor needs versus availability and the timing of other material purchases. The commodity will be coming in at a rapid rate.

    Improper planning, on the other hand, will lead to chaos. For example, labor costs can quickly get out of control if needed packaging and other ingredients are not on site at the right times or machinery is not properly maintained during these intervals.

    What is not so obvious in this pattern is the implication of poor planning for the non-peak production periods. Because the sales forecast indicates steady demand throughout the year, the timing of readily available commodities can have a significant impact on working capital needs. In most cases, purchasing can schedule material deliveries on a steady basis. We have found that having raw materials available to cover the next two months of customer demand is sufficient to maintain high customer service levels. It also leads to stronger supplier relationships when these consistent purchase patterns are maintained.

    For both of these situations, a clean bill of materials (BOM) for each product is critical. This allows for proper raw material purchase planning and scheduling. It should also identify approved substitutions in case of primary raw material shortages. Further, BOM’s should be reviewed on a periodic basis to adjust for market changes.

    Warehouse & Logistics

    Often overlooked in the planning process is the fact that storage and logistics can have a significant impact on the bottom line. Most companies do not have enough internal storage capacity to handle peak storage needs and, as such, must use a third party facility. Even for operations that possess sufficient internal storage, a year with extraordinarily high demand may result in no additional profit if storage is not managed correctly. To maximize the bottom line, companies should have a storage plan developed in conjunction with the sales forecast and production plan.

    The graph below shows how a proper storage plan minimizes the use of third parties. The grey area represents Internal Storage, while the red area represents Third Party Storage.

    The objective is to keep third party storage inside the red area. This means the production team must schedule for the items that will be sold immediately following the end of the harvest season. These are the items that are stored at a third party site and sold through in the shortest amount of time. A strategy like this one will minimize external storage and transportation costs.

    Putting it All Together

    Coordinating these three strategies can be a daunting task. One of the ways to pull it all
    together is with a well-defined annual operating plan or AOP. The AOP lays out the timing of all phases of the process while also clearly defining who is responsible for what activities. Depending on the size of operations, this may consist of several levels of detail.

    And then there is the crop. No matter how well planned and detailed your strategies may be, harvest time will likely throw a wrench in the works. It decided to come in a bit early or grower yields were different from expected. There was no “knee high by the fourth of July.” Too much rain or not enough. Everyone has to be ready to adjust. The plan is in place. Only the timing has shifted.

    We have found that even elementary plans that include the three phases discussed here can lead to lower inventory carryover from season to season and thus lower storage costs. It can also lead to significant reductions in borrowing needs, interest costs and operating expenses. What does your plan look like? Is it ready to take root?

    Conway MacKenzie HarveBy Harve Light, Managing Director, Conway MacKenzie

  • Future Industry Leaders Begin Yearlong Almond Experience: Almond Leadership Program Welcomes its 11th Class

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) today announced its 2019 Almond Leadership Program class. These 19 promising leaders represent diverse backgrounds across multiple industries, from almond growers, processors and food safety specialists to marketing experts, sales representatives and even a dentist who has a passion for farming.
    Almond Leadership Program participants will spend the next year growing in their roles as the future generation of California almond industry leaders. They will learn from volunteer mentors who will help equip program participants with the knowledge and experience necessary to improve their leadership skills, the industry and their communities.
    The class will complete specialized training in a wide variety of topic areas, many of which are tied to ABC activities in marketing, trade stewardship, scientific research, food safety and more.
    As a kickoff to the program, Leadership class members participated in a two-day orientation, which included a State of the Industry address from ABC President and CEO Richard Waycott and Chair of the Board of Directors Holly King. Waycott and King highlighted the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals and the almond community’s commitment to continuous improvement, which are cornerstones of this year’s Almond Leadership Program.
    As they progress through the program, Leadership members will gain a stronger understanding of how the social, economic and scientific issues facing our world today — combined with the current political climate — affect the almond industry. They’ll also learn how all sectors in the almond supply chain work together to provide a safe, sustainable product. Through monthly seminars that span topics reaching all aspects of the industry, Leadership members will sharpen their communication skills while building relationships that will span their careers.
    Each participant will also select an area of interest to explore as part of a yearlong self-directed project. These projects will all focus on ways to help advance industry knowledge, andsome past projects even led to important breakthroughs for the industry.At the end of the year, one participant will be selected to present their project at The Almond Conference 2019, held this year at Cal Expo in Sacramento.
    “This program helps mold great people into even greater leaders — the leaders we will one day look toward to shape the future of the almond industry,” said Jenny Nicolau, senior manager, Industry Relations and Communications, ABC. “Each graduate from the Almond Leadership Program has gone on to be a leader of change in the industry or their community in some capacity, and this group will be no different. They are bright and talented, and obviously problem-solvers, and we are honored to be partners on this yearlong journey.”
    Over the past ten years, the Almond Leadership Program has graduated more than 150 participants and supported many key initiatives benefiting the industry. This year’s class will continue the tradition of raising funds for California Future Farmers of America (FFA) and has pledged to raise more than $20,000 in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing agriculture in college.
    Members of this year’s class include: Maria Gabriela Chavarria, Harris Woolf California Almonds; Louis Brichetto, L.F. Brichetto Farming; Dominique Camou, Famoso Nut Company; Rocky Dhaliwal, Valley Pride Farming; Brian Erickson, Erickson Orchards; Haley Fields, Ali Cox & Company Marketing; Purnima Gupta, K&G Ranches; Joseph Jackson, Hillside Orchards; Falastine “Fill” Munoz, Grizzly Nut, LLC; April Nuckles, HarvestPort; Kristina Qualls, South Valley Almond Company, LLC; Brett Richesin, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.; Dylan Rogers, AgroLiquid; Lucas Schmidt, Grow West; Victor Thao, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Jerrett Thomason, Wells Fargo Food and Agribusiness; Chris VanderStoel, VanderStoel Farm; Connor Wagner, Wagner Land Company; and Chandler Wilson, NutriAg Group Ltd.

  • California Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

    Know a California farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2019 California Leopold Conservation Award®. 

    Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for the conservation of private land, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In California the $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and California Farm Bureau Federation.

    Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

    Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at: https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/CA-CFN-LR.pdf

    Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2019. Mail applications to:

    Leopold Conservation Award

    c/o Sustainable Conservation

    98 Battery Street, Suite 302

    San Francisco, CA 94111

    “From clean and abundant water, to breathable air, to healthy wildlife, keeping California the special place we all love requires everyone doing their part,” said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California more than a decade ago. “On the front lines of conservation are many deserving, but often overlooked, landowner heroes stepping up every day to steward our environment and Californians’ quality of life. The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates these inspiring individuals and families, and co-sponsors hope farmers, ranchers and other private landowners come forward this year to be recognized.”

    “The Leopold Conservation Award provides outstanding recognition of farmers and ranchers who often take small steps to realize big gains in managing their farms in a sustainable and profitable manner,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President. “The awarded families are great examples of the generational appreciation farmers and ranchers have for their land. The stewardship they employ at their farms and ranches serves as a great example of California farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to the environment.”

    “Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.

    The Leopold Conservation Award in California is made possible thanks to the generous support of Sustainable Conservation, the California Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit West, American Ag Credit, The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorensen Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s, and California LCA recipient alumni.The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December.

    The first California Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2006. Lundberg Family Farms of Richvale received the award in 2018.

    For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

    THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD PROGRAM

    The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. www.leopoldconservationaward.org

    SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

    Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing number of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org

    SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION

    Sustainable Conservation helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing California’s land, air and water. Since 1993, it has brought together business, landowners and government to steward the resources that we all depend on in ways that make economic sense. Sustainable Conservation believes common ground is California’s most important resource. www.suscon.org

    CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

    The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 40,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.www.cfbf.com.

  • As Ag Tech Summit Nears, Tickets Remain Available: Also limited openings for President’s Opening Reception on March 26

    A limited number of tickets remain for the Sixth Annual Salinas Valley Ag Technology Summit on March 27 at Hartnell College in Salinas, as well as for the President’s Opening Reception that will start the event on the evening of March 26.

     

    Speakers, panels and exhibitors at the 2019 summit will highlight how industry players can leverage innovation for increased productivity and strategic advantage in an era of rapid change.

     

    In line with its theme of “Tomorrow’s Technology You Can Use Today, the summit’s main day on March 27 will feature educational tracks in ag production and ag business. Topics will include the latest in precision crop management, “big data” to accelerate decision-making, blockchain traceability for food safety and initiatives to meet agricultural workforce needs in 2020 and beyond.

     

    A third track, offered by the event’s co-organizer, the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA), is worth up to five hours of approved credit in continuing education.

     

    Keynote speakers also will zero in on hot-button themes. The morning keynote on the summit’s main day, March 27, will be delivered by Dr. Bob Whitaker, chief scientific officer for the Produce Marketing Association, and the luncheon address will be made by Glenda Humiston, vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of California.

     

    “Each one of our sessions will offer distinct insights,” said Nick Pasculli, who chairs the 2019 summit planning committee and is CEO of TMD, a produce-focused marketing firm in Salinas. “Taken together, the entire experience will make our attendees excited about all they can achieve with new tools and new thinking.”

     

    As always, the sixth annual event will provide unique opportunities for learning and networking while supporting agribusiness students and programs at Hartnell College. It also will spotlight the Salinas Valley’s emergence as an incubator and hub for innovation and development in ag tech.

     

    “The Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit is one of the most important events of the region,” said Pasculli, founder, president and creative director of TMD, a creative services agency with many clients in the produce industry. “It brings together the brightest minds in ag production and technology, all for the benefit of increasing sustainability and strengthening this industry as we feed the world and build a thriving economy.”

    Ag Tech Summit

    The summit will open with the President’s Opening Reception from 6-8 p.m. in the STEM Building (S) at Hartnell, featuring local wines and hors d’oeuvres and participation by industry leaders. The main Ag Tech Summit program on March 27 will begin with a continental breakfast at 6:30 a.m. The afternoon exhibition will also include a Beer Hall featuring the Carmel Craft Brewing Co.

     

    Community members, ag industry members, growers, PCAs, CCAs, QALs, pilots, students and participants in ag tech and software industries are encouraged to attend. The event is organized by the Hartnell College Agriculture Business and Technology Institute in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA).

     

    The two-day event is organized by the Hartnell College Agriculture Business and Technology Institute in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the CAPCA.

     

    For registration and schedule information, visit: http://svagtechsummit.com/.

  • Political analyst David Wasserman to keynote 2019 Organic Trade Association conference Annual policy conference to focus on Bold Ideas & Critical Conversations:

    Attendees of the Organic Trade Association’s spring policy conference will have the rare opportunity to get an insider’s look into the upcoming presidential race when they hear from one of the few political analysts in the country who accurately forecast the results of the historic 2016 election.

    keynote speaker

    David Wasserman, one of the nation’s most influential political analysts and election forecasters and U.S. House Editor for the non-partisan The Cook Political Report, will share his spot-on insights and deep knowledge of today’s political landscape at the Organic Trade Association’s annual policy conference on May 22 in Washington.

     

    The Bold Ideas & Critical Conversations conference is part of a powerful week of organic advocacy, education, and collaboration that the Organic Trade Association has planned for its Organic Week activities scheduled the week of May 20 in D.C.

     

    Wasserman is regarded as among the most accurate election forecasters in the country, and his authoritative analysis of political trends is closely followed by other political experts as well as academics and the general public. In 2016, he drew wide praise for his pre-election analysis, including his piece titled “How Trump Could Win the White House While Losing the Popular Vote” written two months before election. His data-driven forecasting looks at both national and local trends, the relationship between consumer brand loyalty and voting, and what the future holds for American elections.

     

    “The Organic Trade Association is thrilled to have David speak at our conference,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. “Today’s political environment is very unpredictable, so David’s keen insights into today’s political scene, and his proven electoral foresight will be timely and eye-opening for our attendees.”

     

    The trade association will host its annual conference at a unique venue–Dock 5, a creative urban space in the nexus of the historic Union Market– opened to the public in 1871 and once the largest market in Washington, D.C.

     

    The conference is one of three major events of Organic Week, during which organic stakeholders will double-down on big ideas and solutions to advance organic. In the backdrop of the nation’s capital, small organic producers and major growers, family-run organic operations and nationwide companies, researchers and policy advocates, and distributors and retailers will come together to promote organic policy priorities. Included in the week will be educational opportunities, advocacy, and networking as participants explore leading-edge thinking, discuss bold strategies, and take incremental steps to advance policy and private sector solutions.

     

    Activities begin with Member Day on Monday, May 20, at the Organic Trade Association’s headquarters in the Hall of the States where members will gather for updates and discussions on industry issues. That evening, the Organic Trade Association’s Board of Directors will host a guided bus tour to view D.C. monuments. On Tuesday, May 21, attendees head to Capitol Hill for Advocacy Day to meet with congressional policymakers and discuss the importance of organic. On Thursday, May 23, the Board of Directors will meet alongside a volunteer service project at DC Central Kitchen where attendees will be invited to roll up their sleeves and help!

     

    Registration is open. Register by March 15 for the best pricing on this action-filled week.

  • Tulare County Crop Status (For the week ending March 16, 2019)

    SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS:
    Wheat and alfalfa crops continue to mature well. Dairy forage crops are still flourishing from the
    recent rain. Some fields are beginning to be planted for spring silage. Cover crops planted
    between rows in orchards are being incorporated into the soil.

    DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:
    Petal-fall on almonds is occurring. Stored almonds are going to India, Denmark, Saudi Arabia,
    the Netherlands, Finland, South Africa, Russian Federation, Chile, Germany, Israel, Kuwait,
    Japan, Jordan, and Belgium. Pistachios are being exported to Mexico, Hong Kong, Spain,
    Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Israel, Vietnam, China, Singapore,
    Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union. Pecans are being exported to Japan and Israel.
    Some stone fruit orchards are still being pruned, and are in bloom. Kiwis are still being pruned
    and tied. Kiwifruit are being packed for the domestic market and exported to Japan and Mexico.
    Grape vines continue to be pruned and tied.

    CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:
    Citrus packing houses are putting in long days to make up for the backlog. Navel oranges are
    continuing to experience quality issues due to the season and rain. Navel and Blood oranges are
    being exported to New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Japan, China, Chile, Peru, Singapore,
    Indonesia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, the Philippines,
    Malaysia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Mandarins are being packed for the domestic
    market and exported to New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico. Lemons are being exported
    to Japan and New Zealand. Pomelos are being sent to New Zealand. Minneola tangelos are being
    exported to the Netherlands. Seedless tangerines are being tented to prevent cross pollination.
    Olive trees are being pruned.

    VEGETABLES, MELONS, AND BERRIES:
    Small amounts of winter vegetables continue to be grown and harvested. The preparation of
    fields for spring planting has increased due to the warmer weather and appropriate soil moisture.
    Strawberry transplants continue to be planted. Blueberries are blooming in greenhouses and
    Bumble bees have been imported for pollination.

    LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:
    Rangeland forage is in good condition, and warmer weather is enhancing growth. The break in
    the rain is helping milk production.

    ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
    Wholesale nurseries are starting to pick up on shipments to local and out-of-state nurseries for
    the spring planting season.

  • Syngenta Scholarship Program Awards Ag students

    sierra williamson$20,000 in total awards are available to selected applicants. Applications are being accepted until May 27, 2019.uzoamaka abana

    Syngenta is now accepting applications for its 2019 Agricultural Scholarship program. Totalling $20,000, scholarships will be awarded to select promising college students. As future leaders of the industry, applicants are asked to share how they aspire to inspire future generations of agricultural students.

    “At Syngenta, we are committed to supporting the next generation of agricultural innovators who will feed the world’s growing population,” said Wendell Calhoun, communications manager, marketing services, Syngenta. “Through programs like the Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship and #RootedinAg, we are honored to recognize and aid industry ambassadors who fuel the past, present and future success of our industry.”

    To apply for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in a crop-related discipline at an eligible university with an accredited agricultural program as of spring 2019. Only U.S. residents pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree are eligible for the scholarship.

    Eight regional winners will be selected from the Northeast, Midwest, Mid-South, and Western regions to receive $1,000 scholarships. Syngenta will award two additional $6,000 scholarships to one bachelor’s and one master’s level national winner selected from the pool of regional winners. Scholarship recipients will be announced in August 2019.

    The 2018 national winners were two young women with unique experiences that sparked their passion for agriculture. Bachelor’s level winner Sierra Williamson wrote in her essay about her experience growing up in an ag family and how those experiences inspired her to pursue a career in the industry. Uzoamaka Abana, 2018 master’s level winner, learned to appreciate the complexity of food production by visiting her grandmother’s farm, which ignited her curiosity about food sources.

    For additional information about the scholarship, including official rules, prize amounts, essay topic, eligible universities and application guidelines, please visit syngentaus.com/scholarships.

    For more information about Syngenta, visit www.syngenta.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at Syngenta-us.com/social.

  • USDA Celebrates National Ag Day with New Youth Website

    Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture joins the nation in celebrating National Ag Day, which highlights agriculture’s crucial role in everyday life, and honors the farmers, foresters, scientists, producers and many others who contribute to America’s bountiful harvest. As part of this effort, USDA is launching a new Youth and Agriculture website to connect young people and youth-serving organizations with Department-wide resources that engage, empower, and educate the next generation of agricultural leaders.

    “The future of agriculture in America depends on the investment and involvement of America’s young people,” said Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. “Connecting with America’s youth on National Ag Day is a tremendous opportunity to show that careers in farming, the agricultural sciences, and veterinary medicine are rewarding, essential, and profitable.”

    The USDA Youth and Agriculture website features three key components of agriculture-focused youth engagement – classroom studies, experiential learning, and leadership training. Educators can find ways to include agriculture in the classroom and beyond. Young people can learn about USDA summer outreach programs, youth loans for business projects, and outdoor volunteering. Community leaders can get tips on starting leadership development clubs and education programs. The site also highlights USDA partners, such as 4-H, the National FFA Organization, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Agriculture Future of America (AFA), and many others working with the Department to connect young people with opportunities in agriculture.

    For the career curious, the website provides information on internships and scholarships, USDA employment, and information on agriculture career fields, such as forestry, robotics engineering, biochemistry, and food sciences. Storytelling will help young people learn from peers about youth-led innovations and success stories in agriculture.

  • American Farmland Trust Partners with Seal the Seasons to Raise Consumer Awareness

    Today, American Farmland Trust, the organization behind the national movement No Farms No Food®, announces its partnership with Seal the Seasons, maker of frozen produce sourced from local farms, to share the story of American Farmland Trust’s work in the regions where they source their products.

    The loss of America’s farmland, an aging farmer population and climate change are just a few of the issues facing farming and farmland. AFT works to support farmers by providing research and programs focused on these challenges.

    “Our future depends on having enough farmland and farmers to both feed us and restore our planet. And this requires a community of advocates that embrace the holistic vision of the future: one that acknowledges farmland as irreplaceable infrastructure we cannot afford to lose; that sees farming practices that improve soil health as necessary for that land to serve us in perpetuity; and that views farmers as the stewards of that land, worthy of our fervent support –because at heart, what these farmers do is for all of us,” says John Piotti, president and CEO, AFT.

    He continues, “This partnership will help consumers understand the threats to American farmland and further AFT’s mission of saving the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. We are grateful for Seal the Season’s support.”

    Seal the Seasons was started with a dedication to working with local farms, believing that locally-grown products are better for our planet, our economy and our taste buds. Its mission is to build local supply chains to change the food system. As part of its charitable partnership with AFT, Seal the Seasons will share stories of AFT’s impact in the regions where they source products to raise the profile of the “No Farms, No Food” movement.

    “We have to acknowledge our impact on the planet and build a food system that works for farmers and alongside nature at the same time. We see supply chains and their most important component, farmland, as the most vital part of the food system. Our goal at Seal the Seasons is to move the focus back towards local sourcing that aligns with our family farms, our economy and our planet,” said Patrick Mateer, founder of Seal the Seasons. “This partnership with the American Farmland Trust will be instrumental in bringing farmer stories to the forefront so we can protect farmland and improve farming practices from their perspective.”

    For more information on Seal the Seasons and how to give back to American Farmland Trust, visit https://www.farmland.org/blog/find-us-in-the-frozen-food-aisle