UC Ag and Natural Resources is hosting a berry production workshop in Escondido. Whether it’s backyard and container-grown production, or commercial, field-grown operations, growers can learn the essentials of cultivating, managing and the economics of growing strawberries, blackberries and blueberries in San Diego County.
The workshop will cover site selection, planting, irrigation, pest management, harvesting and market considerations for berry production at any scale. Practices, strategies, and challenges for production of strawberries and cane berries
Issues and strategies for container-grown blueberries in San Diego County. Challenges for commercial, field-grown production of blueberries in San Diego County Economic consideration for berry production, tasting and value-added product development with berries will also be discussed.
Registration is $40 per person. The deadline is 5 p.m. June 15, or earlier if capacity is reached.
Day of walk-ups will not be admitted. Registration includes educational materials, continental breakfast and tasting of berries and berry products.
For questions about registration, contact Lupe Ibarra at (858)822-7711 or llibarra@ucanr.edu. For questions about the program, contact Ramiro Lobo at (858)243-4608 or relobo@ucanr.edu. — Story contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources
UC ANR scientists, advisors and growers bring agritourism down to earth at workshop held at Alma Backyard Farms in Compton
Before opening a farmstand or turning your ranch into a glamping getaway, Rachael Callahan recommends asking hard questions to determine whether agritourism is right for you. Such as: do you enjoy being around people?
“Start by inviting an afterschool group to come onto your farm…see if they’re trampling on things and if that really freaks you out. See if you like chitchatting with folks,” said Callahan, statewide agritourism coordinator for the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
As part of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, Callahan helps people navigate the “wild west” of this burgeoning industry. Over the last decade, she’s watched on-farm experiences, such as tractor rides and pick-your-own strawberries, surge in popularity.
Given all the interest, the UC ANR Climate and Land Equity (CALE) Project hosted a free workshop on the topic at Alma Backyard Farms, an urban farm in Compton, in February.
The mission of the CALE network is to increase land equity and climate-smart management practices by supporting smaller-scale and emerging farms. That’s why the workshop, organized alongside the LA Food Policy Council’s Cultivating Farmers program, focused on facilitating agritourism in urban areas.
In any business, rural or urban, long-term profitability isn’t guaranteed. But expert advice can always help. In her introductory presentation, Callahan cut to the chase with the audience.
“Agritourism is not something you should feel compelled to do because it’s trending right now or because someone down the street is doing it,” she said. “Take a hard look at how it fits into your business goals or your mission or values.”
Jessica Handy, a grower from San Bernardino County, listened intently and reflected on her own endeavor. Recently, Handy founded Sandalwood Farm and Sanctuary, a three-quarters of an acre community garden in Rialto. Already, her space has hosted film screenings, natural-dye workshops and yoga classes, and she hopes to continue that momentum.
“I’m building this for community and longevity. I want it to live on beyond me,” Handy said. “ I’m committed to just slowing down and doing strategic planning to make sure this land is truly community-sustained for generations to come.”
At the workshop, local growers and UC experts shared structured guidance to help Handy and other attendees get set up for success.
What Skills Do You and Your Team Have?
According to Callahan, anyone considering an agritourism business should start by taking stock of their team’s capabilities, from people skills to technical know-how. Welcoming the public onto farm property is not for everyone, she cautioned.
For Handy, though, it’s an obvious choice – Sandalwood Farm revolves around her passion for people. She created the space as a source of “food sovereignty, healing and radical joy.”
One of her top priorities is to host farm-to-table dinners using their hand-built, earthen “cob” pizza oven, which was funded through the LA Food Policy Council’s Cultivating Farmers Grant. For Handy, these gatherings are more than a meal. They’re a connection to the earth through shared local and seasonal foods.
“I love being able to break bread with folks on the land and have local artists and musicians incorporate art and ecology together,” Handy said.
But what about technical skills? Workshop panelist Alexys Romo, founder of Black Thumb Farm in Panorama City, recommends investing in personal relationships to build a diverse network of support.
“Cash in on favors. Like, remember when in 2015 I babysat your child for six hours? I now need legal advice,” Romo said. “Take a minute to assess your resources and the people within your inner web who might be able to assist.”
Hearing from Romo was a workshop highlight for Handy, who looks up to the fellow urban farmer and follows her on social media. As it turns out, Handy has already been following her role model’s advice.
“I don’t know how to woodwork, but there’s a neighbor who’s a woodworker. He’s taught us how to use some power tools and a circular saw,” Handy said. “So we’re building skills together and we’re building the farm as a collective.”
What Makes Your Farm Unique?
With a team assembled, it’s time to think about the features of your farm or operation. What makes it special? Are there any snags to anticipate?
Handy’s garden is relatively small, but her team has already successfully grown culinary and medicinal herbs, tree collards and several full seasons of annual vegetables, including okra, tomatoes, lettuce and arugula. The harvests are communal, so most produce goes home with volunteers and neighbors. As the farm grows, any food left over could present new opportunities.
UC Cooperative Extension urban agriculture advisor Amrita Mukherjee recommends finding ways to add value to raw crops.
“When growers have a surplus, they can produce shelf-stable products, like jam or jelly,” Mukherjee said. She recommends business owners connect with the UC Master Food Preserver program for support, like preservation demonstrations.
Besides cooking up preserves, Mukherjee encourages growers to research their community’s needs and connect with grocery stores that might stock locally-grown specialty produce.
Handy’s farm already knows what to do with their surplus harvests: this spring they’re launching a farmstand that lets people pay what they can according to a sliding scale of prices.
Do You Have Community Support?
Before moving forward with the logistics of starting an agritourism business, securing community buy-in is a necessity, according to Callahan. How will the neighbors feel about a public attraction setting up shop next door?
Since establishing Sandalwood Farm last year, Handy has worked hard to introduce herself to the community.
“I’m the new kid on the block. I didn’t grow up in Rialto,” Handy said. “I don’t want to go into a community like, ‘This is how it should be done,’ when that may not be what the community wants or needs.”
The listening process is ongoing, but Handy has already set some goals based on conversations with her neighbors. She wants Sandalwood Farm to create job pathways for the local community, just like the workshop host site Alma Backyard Farms has done for surrounding Compton.
“It’s beautiful to see successful models,” Handy said. “I’m reminded that we can support people and give people living wages to do this work.”
Agritourism Expertise On-Tap
By the end of the workshop, Handy was confident that agritourism could be a good fit for Sandalwood Farm. Even better, Handy’s intentions closely aligned with the other mission-driven guest speakers, opening the door to mentorship and collaboration.
“Being here – I feel full and fed. I’m ready to get back in the game,” Handy said.
The workshop provided a solid introduction to agritourism, but Callahan acknowledged that her presentation only scratched the surface. Inviting the public onto a working farm is tricky business requiring thorough research.
Operators will need to study all applicable laws, zoning and safety regulations, which can vary by region. They may need to make changes to their site to ensure accessibility and safety, and to protect themselves from liability, they’ll need the proper insurance.
Prior to the event, Handy wasn’t very familiar with UC ANR, but will now consider the institution among the suite of resources available to support emerging farms, like her own.
“We are still very scrappy…but I feel like it doesn’t have to be scrappy forever,” Handy said.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.
To understand consumers’ attitudes toward a bioengineered pesticide for citrus crops, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources researchers are asking for volunteers to participate in focus groups in Riverside, Oakland and Fresno.
Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a naturally occurring bacterium being tested to control the spread of Asian citrus psyllid, the small insect that transmits the disease huanglongbing to citrus trees. Both the Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing have been found in Southern California backyard citrus trees and threaten to spread throughout the state.
Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening disease, is a bacterial infection that stunts citrus trees, reduces their fruit production, deforms and greens the fruit and eventually kills the tree. There is no known cure or effective control.
The disease has already devastated Florida’s citrus industry, slashing the state’s orange production by 92% between 2005 and 2025, according to Karen Jetter, associate director and project economist at the UC ANR Policy Institute. By the time the magnitude of the problem was revealed, both Asian citrus psyllid, or ACP, and huanglongbing were widespread in Florida.
“In California, we still have the opportunity to slow the spread of huanglongbing through ACP management,” Jetter said.“This unique technology is designed to be part of a comprehensive ACP management program, not to replace it.”
Jetter and Fiona Ogunkoya, survey researcher at the UC ANR Policy Institute, are conducting focus groups to assess consumer attitudes toward an engineered Bt pest control method that targets Asian citrus psyllids, the primary vector of the disease, to stop the spread of huanglongbing.
The bioengineered pest control strategy, developed in Florida and shown to be effective, uses an engineered citrus tristeza virus to transmit an engineered Bacillus thuringiensis to citrus trees. The Asian citrus psyllid lays eggs on the tender new leaf growth of the trees. After the nymphs hatch, the immature insects consume the modified Bt-infected leaves, become sick and die.
California citrus growers surveyed by Sandipa Gautam, UC Cooperative Extension integrated pest management citrus advisor, said they are interested in the approach. But they growers are concerned that consumers will not accept fruit grown with this new bioengineered insecticide.
To find out what consumers think, the researchers will meet with three focus groups, with each session limited to six to eight people to allow all participants time to express their thoughts.
The 90-minute focus group meetings will be held at UC Cooperative Extension offices in Riverside on March 30 at 6 p.m., in Oakland on April 6 at 2 p.m. and in Fresno on April 8 at 2 p.m. Pizza will be served.
To participate in a focus group, register for a session at https://forms.gle/QPyUd7QazTLfNdATA. To be eligible, participants must be 18 years of age or older and able to attend the focus group in person. — By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Spider mites can be a difficult pest for date growers, especially with how high up in the trees the fruit is. However, new methods of spider mite management are being studied at UC Riverside, including the use of predatory mites. Entomology specialist Bodil Cass spoke with Matthew Malcolm from Malcolm Media Ag Publishing at the World Ag Expo to discuss their findings. Watch this quick video and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot for their industry support.
The Asian citrus psyllid is an active threat for growers and the main vector for Huanglongbing disease. These invasive insects have wreaked havoc in Florida and spread to Southern California, but researchers at UC Riverside are finding ways to counter them. Matthew Malcolm from Malcolm Media Ag Publishing interviewed Bodil Cass at the World Ag Expo to discuss the use of predators against psyllids. Watch this quick video and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot for their industry support.
Farmers seeking guidance on starting or advancing their transition to organic crop production are invited to attend free webinars led by a wide range of experts, including University of California scientists and fellow growers.
Held at noon every Wednesday from Jan. 14 to March 18, 2026, the “Transition to Organic Webinar Series” covers the certification process, market dynamics, soil health and soil amendments, pest and weed management, and other key topics of organic production. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions but can choose any webinars that are most relevant for them.
Learn more and register; attendees also can choose real-time Hmong or Spanish interpretation for each session.
The 10 online sessions – each comprising a 75-minute presentation and discussion, followed by optional office hours – are organized and sponsored by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, UC Cooperative Extension, and the UC Organic Agriculture Institute (an institute of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources).
“This is the first time UC ANR is partnering with CAFF to offer such a series focused on transition to organic,” said Margaret Lloyd, UCCE organic agriculture and small farms advisor for Yolo, Sacramento and Solano counties. “Ultimately, we hope to provide the resources, community and support to folks who want to make a successful transition.”
California leads the U.S. in the number of organic farms, land in organic production and organic sales. In 2023, there were more than 3,300 organic producers in the state, according to the latest California Department of Food and Agriculture report.
Organizers designed the webinars to appeal to producers across California and to directly address issues that a variety of agricultural operations face.
“This series brings together technical assistance providers and farmers to explore the full range of challenges producers face when transitioning to organic – from certification and market considerations to management practices, biodiversity, recordkeeping and inspections,” said Grace Jackson, the Central Valley regional lead for CAFF’s Farmer Services team.
Series addresses challenges of certification, market dynamics, pest and weed management
Another organizer, Katharina Ullmann – training and technical assistance coordinator at the UC Organic Agriculture Institute – said that demand for more information was quite apparent during workshops held this past year throughout the state, from Siskiyou County to San Diego.
“Standalone workshops are great, but there is a lot of information to cover in a two- or three-hour workshop,” Ullmann said. “We thought it would be helpful to have a longer, regular series, where we would have a whole hour to dig into a specific transition topic.”
The lineup of presenters – available on the registration page – reflects a diverse mix of perspectives on organic agriculture, encompassing firsthand farmer experiences and the latest scientific research.
“We have farmer panels; we have people who work with certifiers, and organic inspectors; we have UCCE advisors and specialists who will present as part of this workshop,” Ullmann said. “Over the past three decades, many individual farmers and other partners like the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, the CCOF [California Certified Organic Farmers] Foundation and the Ecological Farming Association [EcoFarm] have provided training on transitioning to organic production. We are excited to add to that body of work.”
She noted that the series covers many of the topics mentioned by respondents to the Organic Agriculture Institute’s statewide needs assessment survey. In addition to crop production challenges and market concerns, growers emphasized the need for support on certification processes and related paperwork (such as the Organic System Plan) – topics to be presented on Jan. 21.
Aside from this new series on topics about transitioning to organic, Lloyd and other UCCE advisors are continuing an annual online Organic Agriculture Seminar Series on specific aspects of organic production. Details for those webinars, scheduled for Tuesdays at noon in 2026, will be posted on Lloyd’s website.
The series is made possible through funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture State Organic Program, the CDFA Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability, and the United States Department of Agriculture Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.
To read more UC ANR news, visit our newsroom at ucanr.edu/News.
A comprehensive new report from researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Northeastern University reveals that cannabis cultivation in California threatens Tribal cultural resources. As in other arenas of development, however, protecting those resources faces systemic challenges.
Based on findings from a two-year study that surveyed both Tribal and agency representatives across the state, the survey found that the state’s current consultation policies, while stronger than in many other states, remain inadequate and are inconsistently applied, leading to significant risks of irreparable harm to Tribal cultural heritage sites.
“Our research shows a significant disconnect between state policy and the experience of California’s Native American Tribes. The current cannabis permitting system, while well-intentioned, fails to adequately protect ancestral lands and cultural resources,” said Jennifer Sowerwine, principal investigator on the project, and UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley. “It’s not just about historical preservation; it’s about respecting Tribal sovereignty and ensuring that this new industry does not perpetuate old harms. These findings provide a clear roadmap for the state to move beyond performative consultation toward a process that is truly meaningful and just.”
The same landscape features that are ideal for cannabis cultivation – southern exposure, flat land, near a source of water – are also ideal for a village site or other Tribal culturally sensitive area.
Good place to grow cannabis may be Tribal cultural resource
Jeremy Sorgen, lead researcher on the project and research faculty at Northeastern University’s Oakland campus, said, “One of the first things we heard from Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and county officials plugged into cultural resource protection efforts is that cannabis cultivation often occurs on land with a high probability of being sensitive for Tribes.”
“If it’s relatively flat, near a source of water, and south-facing, it’s not only a good place to grow cannabis, but it may also be a ceremony or village site or other place of cultural importance to Tribes,” said Sorgen, who is also a researcher at the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center. “What this means is that cannabis cultivators, historically and today, are actively selecting for Tribal cultural resources.”
In 2014, California Assembly Bill 52 amended the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, to include statutory requirements for Tribal cultural resource protection. This law was implemented shortly before Proposition 64 legalized adult use of cannabis in 2016. The study, “Examining Tribal Sovereignty over Cannabis Permitting on Native Ancestral Lands,” investigated the intersection of these two laws and found that AB 52, while strengthening Tribal consultation at the local level, retains many of the same problems of previous state and federal cultural resource laws.
The research was designed, conducted and analyzed in collaboration with a seven-member Tribal Advisory Committee and included comprehensive surveys of 46 Tribal representatives and 56 agency officials, alongside 61 in-depth interviews conducted across the state.
Key findings from the report include:
●Power imbalances: “Agency discretion” policies mean state and local agencies often have the last word on permit approval, CEQA exemptions, and designating Tribal cultural resources. This undermines Tribal sovereignty and exposes Tribal cultural resources to harm.
●Flawed mapping: The state’s reliance on inaccurate and contested maps results in systematic under-consultation, where the wrong Tribes are notified, culturally affiliated Tribes are excluded from the process and cultural resources go unprotected.
●Insufficient consultation: Even when consultation is triggered, the process is often treated as a procedural “box-checking” exercise rather than a meaningful, government-to-government dialogue.
●Underfunded mandate: AB 52 has resulted in an unprecedented number of project notifications, many of them likely to threaten Tribal cultural resources. Tribes lack funding for consultation-related staff, equipment and training. Agencies also lack training and resources for effective and respectful consultation.
The report offers a series of actionable recommendations for the Department of Cannabis Control and other state agencies to address these systemic issues. Key recommendations include collaborating directly with Tribal governments to develop more equitable consultation processes and accurate maps of ancestral territories. Other recommendations include initiating consultation as soon as a permit application is received, providing increased funding and specific training for Tribes and agency staff engaged in consultation, and fostering stronger data-sharing agreements between state, local and Tribal governments.
New tools support Tribal sovereignty in consultation
Building on the research findings, the research team and Tribal advisors have developed two sets of tools to support Tribal control of the consultation process.
“California has some of the strongest cultural resource protection laws in the U.S., but meaningful consultation is undermined by structural problems in the consultation process,” said Shasta Gaughen, environmental director and Tribal historic preservation officer of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and a member of the Tribal Advisory Committee. “We brought together Tribal historic preservation officers from around the state to develop a toolkit that reflects Tribal consultation experiences, is concise and easy to use, and empowers Tribes rather than agencies to set the terms of consultation.”
The By Tribes, For Tribes Consultation Policy Toolkit offers a customizable Consultation Policy Template and supplemental materials for Tribes that wish to create their own consultation policies or ordinances. The “By Tribes, For Tribes” approach enables Tribes to proactively guide government agencies through consultation processes based on Tribal priorities, rather than reacting to agency interpretations of what the law requires.
The UC Berkeley Cannabis Site Mapping Tool provides Tribes a means to assess the extent of cannabis agriculture on their ancestral or aboriginal territory. It can be used to determine possible threats to Tribal cultural resources and sensitive sites.
Both tools, the full project report, and related academic journal articles can be accessed on the Resources for Tribes webpage housed on UC Berkeley’s Cannabis Research Center website. — By Edith Friedman, UC Berkeley
About the Research Team: The research was led by a collaborative team from the University of California, Berkeley, and Northeastern University, hosted at the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center. Team members, specializing in environmental policy, Indigenous rights, and the social impacts of cannabis legalization, include Jennifer Sowerwine; Jeremy Sorgen; Seth LaRosa, UC Berkeley graduate student; Peter Nelson, assistant professor of environmental science, policy, and management and ethnic studies at UC Berkeley and Coast Miwok and tribal citizen of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria; and Van Butsic, former UC Cooperative Extension specialist at UC Berkeley.
The project was funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control and conducted in partnership with Tribal advisors and participants from across California.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) shares UC research and practices in every one of California’s 58 counties, connecting all Californians with its world-renowned university system. UC ANR is the face of the UC, made up of experts established in communities — from farmers markets to forests. Today, the organization launched a unified brand portfolio that ties together UC ANR programs and demonstrates the scope of its impact across many different landscapes.
The new look is the result of months of collaborative work with organizational leaders and CMB Design Partners, who were hired in 2024 to address a 2022 brand audit recommendation to improve and align the sub-brand family. The portfolio also includes logos for several newer statewide programs: Community Nutrition and Health, UC ANR Fire Network, UC ANR Innovate, UC ANR Policy Institute, UC Environmental Stewards and UC Small Farms Network. There are 18 sub-brands in the UC ANR family.
UC ANR program logos before the branding refresh.
A fresh, simple visual identity
The redesign introduces contemporary logos and a refreshed color palette based on extensive input from stakeholders.
“This unified brand identity reflects the core traits of UC ANR: connected, trusted, helpful, UC research-based, service-minded, community-centered and solution-focused,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources.
They also align with UC ANR’s mission to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems and economic prosperity in California through development and sharing of equitable and collaborative science-based solutions with national and global impact.
Solving a brand challenge
The transformation of the brand family will help the public understand the collective impact and value of UC ANR.
“A visually aligned brand family is important in engaging the public in our work,” said Linda Forbes, director of UC ANR Strategic Communications. “We want people to connect with as many of our programs as possible — 4-H, UC Master Gardener, UC Master Food Preserver, the Research and Extension Center nearest them, their local UC Cooperative Extension office. A cohesive visual identity enables communicating effectively about our comprehensive programming and ultimately serving more clientele.”
Digital assets are now updated with the new branding; the full rollout will occur over time as budget allows for replacement of physical assets like signage and printed materials. The rollout includes a raffle to win free logo items from the UC ANR custom Lands’ End store that is available to the public. Enter the drawing at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Bplnvrp.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.
Awards totaling approximately $1.5 million will empower farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs and strengthen local food systems and supply chain resiliency throughout the southwestern United States.
Barraza Farms is a small-scale organic farm growing mixed vegetables in Santa Cruz County.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center are pleased to announce the first round of Business Builder Award grants to 73 small and mid-sized farm and food businesses across the Southwest region.
The Business Builder Award Program is designed to build capacity for food producers and processors by supporting infrastructure, innovation and market access. Recipients include businesses working on:
●Food safety equipment for egg processing, cleaning and grading for a pasture-raised flock, modernizing operations and improving efficiency
●Grain mill for organic heirloom flour production, which will increase supply tenfold to meet growing demand from school districts
●Meat inspection and processing equipment supporting cattle ranchers in Arizona, Nevada and Utah
●Marketing and packing supplies for small food businesses to expand into new markets; examples include spice blends, baked goods, mobile markets, farmers and fish harvesters
“These projects reflect the diversity and ingenuity of our regional food producers,” said Tracy Celio, program manager for the Southwest Regional Food Business Center. “We are thrilled to distribute Business Builder awards across the Southwest in partnership with USDA, which will address the unique needs of farmers, ranchers and food producers while strengthening local food systems with lasting impact.”
The recipients include a small, Los Angeles-based spice company, which creates authentic flavors of West Africa.
“I’m so grateful to receive this grant for Gloria’s Shito,” said founder Gloria Allorbi, whose business creates authentic flavors of West Africa. “These funds will help elevate our shipping process, improve the unboxing experience, and reduce package damage. It’s a big step toward our mission of bringing the bold flavors to more tables and our vision of making the cuisine visible in mainstream grocery spaces; starting with our direct-to-consumer platforms while we grow into retail.”
Another award recipient, Oatman Flats Ranch, is a farm in Arizona that aims to provide farm-to-fork regenerative, organic-certified food to schools, bakeries, restaurants and health-conscious consumers.
“We’re thrilled to be an integral part of building local, regenerative and organic food network infrastructure with other local participants,” said Oatman Flats Ranch co-founder Dax Hansen. “This award helps us elevate the value chain with a walk-in freezer and refrigeration unit, improved packaging equipment, and sustainable logistics with local food hubs while supporting the integrity of the products for the community we serve.”
Part of a national system of USDA food centers, the Southwest Regional Food Business Center – managed by UC ANR alongside its partners – provides coordination, technical assistance and capacity building for food and farm businesses.
The center’s work across the Southwest is led by a coalition of partners including Utah State University Extension; Utah Department of Agriculture and Food; University of Nevada, Reno Extension; Nevada Department of Agriculture; UC Agriculture and Natural Resources; Valley Vision; UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology; California Department of Food and Agriculture; Occidental College; Local First Arizona; Arizona Department of Agriculture; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; California State University, Chico; Fresno State; Kitchen Table Advisors; and San Diego Food System Alliance.
“UC ANR is proud to be part of this transformative initiative, supporting food and farm businesses across the Southwest and helping build a more resilient, diverse and competitive regional food system,” Celio said.
For a full list of the 73 awardees and project descriptions, visit https://swfoodbiz.org/business-builder/. Updates on the progress of the projects will be posted on the website and on the SWfoodbiz Instagram and LinkedIn pages.
USDA has terminated the national Regional Food Business Center program, effective Sept. 15, eliminating direct funding and training for small farmers. Over the past two years, the Southwest Regional Food Business Center has directly assisted 2,181 individuals and over 1,850 farm and food organizations to grow new businesses and strengthen local and regional food systems.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.
A landmark law – representing one of the most revolutionary changes to groundwater management in California history – was passed more than 10 years ago. But many farmers across the state still have not even heard of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA.
Building on the relationships cultivated by the Small Farms Network of the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, a new team of educators will help small farmers understand the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Photo by Elena Zhukova
Jarin Tasnim Anika started as a SGMA technical assistance community educator for small farms with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources earlier this year. She said that of the dozens of small-scale farmers she has spoken with, “an extremely small fraction” of them had heard of SGMA.
Photo Caption: Building on the relationships cultivated by the Small Farms Network of the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, a new team of educators will help small farmers understand the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Photo by Elena Zhukova
“I’ve been driving around Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties – the counties I cover – and for almost all of the small farmers, I can honestly say that I was the first person who has talked about SGMA with them,” Anika said.
GSAs are making progress toward this goal. They’re developing strategies to prevent overdraft of groundwater and are addressing a host of related problems for farmers, residents and the environment – from wells running dry to poor water quality to land subsidence.
But while GSAs are required by law to consider all “beneficial users” in the implementation of SGMA, many of them overlooked a major subset of groundwater users: small farmers. Nearly 80% of farms in California can be categorized as small-scale farms, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s definition of small farm (a farm with annual gross cash farm income between $1,000 and $350,000).
In 2022, UC ANR and a coalition of partners published a report, “SGMA and Underrepresented Farmers,” that analyzed, through the lens of small farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers, the Groundwater Sustainability Plans developed by the agencies.
“We reviewed these 20-year plans to see if small-scale farmers are incorporated into that planning, and the results were alarming,” said Ngodoo Atume, one of the authors of the report. “We found that across all 14 plans we reviewed, none of those agencies were considering small-scale farmers.”
The result is that many small farmers (predominantly tenant farmers) with whom Atume has met are wholly unfamiliar with SGMA.
“We asked many questions: ‘Have you heard of SGMA? Have you heard of this groundwater regulation? Have you heard of the potential cutbacks? Has the landowner shown you any notice to attend a meeting?’” Atume said. “And we get ‘no’ across the board.”
Because the impacts and benefits of SGMA for small farmers are not addressed in those plans, the 2022 report recommended more focused engagement of those stakeholders. So this year, UC ANR hired a dedicated team to provide technical assistance, education, policy analysis and outreach for small farmers.
Atume serves as the statewide coordinator, and Anika is one of five regionally based SGMA educators for small farms, part of the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
The others are Erik Rodriguez (Fresno and Madera counties), Luis Paniagua (Tulare and Kings counties) and Sonia Rios (Riverside and San Bernardino counties). Another educator is currently being recruited for Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey counties.
The team of regional SGMA educators for small farms currently comprises (from top left) Erik Rodriguez, Jarin Tasnim Anika, Sonia Rios and Luis Paniagua.
Economists studied farmland parcels along the borders of neighboring GSAs, some with greater baseline overdraft (and ostensibly subject to more stringent SGMA restrictions) than others. Parcels near the administrative borders experience similar hydrological, climactic and agronomic conditions – the only difference being the expectation of greater future regulation.
The researchers then compared the differences in the planting of new perennial crops and the drilling of new wells between neighboring parcels of farmland, at a time before SGMA passed in 2014 and after SGMA, in 2020 and 2021.
“We found that SGMA had no statistically significant effect on the differences,” said Ellen Bruno, associate professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley.
In other words, farmers didn’t seem to be altering their practices in the face of impending regulation. Bruno and co-author Nick Hagerty concluded it appears that, in SGMA’s early years, potential restrictions were perceived to be so far in the future that short-term considerations – like well-drilling in response to drought or planting due to favorable markets – were taking precedence.
“The implication of people continuing business as usual so far is that the groundwater will continue to be overdrafted,” Bruno added. “And, of course, the point of SGMA is to try to correct that and bring the basins into sustainability.”
She said that Atume’s community education team can help small farmers learn more about groundwater management and take appropriate action.
“There’s a lot of variation in what people know; big farmers have many more resources to plug into changing regulations,” Bruno said. “I think Ngodoo’s team could be really instrumental in helping everybody stay informed – both on how they’re going to be regulated and what they can do to respond to the regulation.”
SGMA education team sees uneven implementation across agencies
Management actions outlined in the Groundwater Sustainability Plans include groundwater allocations, taxes or fees based on users’ extraction, pumping restrictions, and efficiency incentives, among other policy instruments (see a database summarizing strategies in those plans).
And while the agencies have laid out their long-term plans and actions, implementation has been uneven and inconsistent.
“It’s a very small percentage of GSAs that are actually implementing actions right now that might impact the stakeholders,” Atume explained. “In that sense, SGMA is still at the very beginning stages, and so people are not worried about it.”
Nevertheless, the team wants to begin a step-by-step education process. Piggybacking on personal networks and events established by their UC ANR peers, the regional educators are finding opportunities to introduce themselves and build trust with local farmers. They are planning workshops for later this year.
Eventually, they want farmers to see them as people to contact if they have questions about groundwater.
“If you have any questions related to a random fee that you’re getting, or somebody came out and told you that you have to install this specific thing on your irrigation infrastructure, you can call me,” said Rodriguez, the educator for Fresno and Madera counties. “I’ll help you figure it out and explain it.”
Some farmers are already reaching out, such as a small farmer in Merced County who recently experienced quite a shock. According to Anika, the local GSA sent an invoice to the farmer with a penalty of $15,000 for overextraction of groundwater. She was referred to Anika, who explained that the notice was sent to make the farmer aware of her potential penalty.
Communication barriers a major challenge for small farmers
Beyond the task of distilling the complex, technical wording of SGMA into an easy-to-understand format, language barriers are another challenge.
For example, the majority of small farmers Anika has met with are Hmong, and she expressed gratitude for the linguistic help of staff research associate Vong Moua. Other members of the UC ANR Small Farms Network who speak non-English languages have helped with outreach to speakers of Spanish, Iu Mien, Punjabi and Cantonese.
A complicating factor is that GSAs will usually send flyers and mailings only to the owners of land – not the tenant farmers.
“Reaching tenant farmers is difficult because it requires very targeted outreach in their language to engage them,” Atume said. “Even for GSAs that have made a lot of progress with outreach, most times those materials still stop at the landowner, and then the responsibility then lies with the landowner to communicate that information to the small farmers.”
On their end, the community educators are also struggling with a dearth of information for crops grown by their clientele. According to Anika, Hmong farmers, for example, cultivate herbs, spices and seasonal vegetables under mixed cropping systems that have not been studied extensively by California academics, in terms of crop water use.
While growers of almonds have a lot of research-backed information about their crops’ water requirements, small-scale farmers often lack those resources.
“As a scientific team, we always try to give data-based recommendations, but at this point, I can only provide theory in our discussions – not data – so that’s another challenge I face all the time,” Anika explained. “I think people are trying their best to gather more information, but there’s just not a lot of research on these crops that are very culturally focused.”
Ngodoo Atume, SGMA technical assistance for small farms coordinator, said that the team is planning workshops to spread awareness of the historic groundwater law. Photo by Evett Kilmartin
SGMA educators cultivate partnerships with GSAs
Another key task for the SGMA education team is engaging with the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies themselves. The team members regularly attend agency meetings to share feedback and farmer perspectives.
“For some of these GSAs, there is – for the first time – someone consistently attending the meetings and providing small-farmer input on agenda items,” Atume explained. “That’s a huge part of the team’s work.”
Rodriguez, in Fresno and Madera counties, said he is first familiarizing himself with the GSAs (and their respective Groundwater Sustainability Plans) before reaching out to small farmers to explain the nuances of SGMA. He wants to know the details of those plans and the exact scope of his role – and then prepare the most relevant and accessible resources for when he approaches the growers.
“We’re finally at a point now where we’re starting to consult with different GSAs on how their work is conveyed in the outreach materials,” Rodriguez said. “We’re trying to make these materials GSA- or subbasin-specific, and we want their seal of approval and logo on it.”
One community educator said more research is needed on the water requirements of culturally significant crops for small farmers. Photo by Elena Zhukova
Building and strengthening relationships with the GSAs is a high priority for the SGMA team members, as they get a better sense of the unique political pressures, legal situations or local interests that each agency must navigate. Anika noted that some GSAs have been eager to learn more about the needs of small farmers, and Rodriguez has found that agencies in his area are receptive to hearing from the community.
“They are open – they do answer questions, they do schedule meetings,” he said.
As the team assists GSAs in communicating with under-engaged stakeholders, Atume believes small farmers can be incorporated more meaningfully in the implementation of SGMA. She hopes all groundwater users contribute to a future where water is available for communities, agriculture and ecological health.
“Personally, I think everyone should comply with SGMA; I don’t think some stakeholders should comply and others shouldn’t,” she said. “But at the same time, I do think that there should not be disproportionate impact on any particular group of stakeholders. Overall, we all need to move towards sustainability.”
The SGMA education team is supported by funds from the state Legislature through the California Department of Water Resources’ Underrepresented Communities, California Tribes and Small Farmers Groundwater Technical Assistance Program. — By Michael Hsu, UCANR
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.
