“Clean floors” give way to cover crops
Clean Floors When I was a kid, you could evaluate a lemon grower with a look at his orchard floor. A “clean floor” was a sure sign of good stewardship. …
Guest Blog: 5th generation farmer Chris Sayer
Planting cover crop in an orchard isn’t exciting work. Fill the seeder and drive. Refill the seeder and drive more. Sometimes a stick might jam in the seeder’s mechanism and …
With only about 2 to 3 percent of U.S. citizens in farming, it’s understandable that many people have a limited understanding of agriculture. That’s true even in places like California’s …
Salad Bar Farms Starts Ventura School Farm
Build it and they will come. On an overcast Friday, I drive my car across the basketball courts at Balboa Middle School in Ventura. I can do this because school’s …
Agricultural/food literacy: from orchard to campus, we’re engaged
In an orchard talking about ag literacy Early Wednesday morning, I sat on a stool in a citrus orchard in Saticoy, California. The stool was provided by Mary Maranville; the orchard was provided by Chris …
Q&A: Phil McGrath, 4th generation California farmer
“Farmland should be as integral to a community as a fire station or a school.” – …
Q&A: Sarah Nolan, farmer and theologian
“I’ve learned that small-scale sustainable agriculture is only as sustainable as the community you build around it. Social capital is essential.” – Sarah Nolan About Sarah Nolan: Nolan is …
The UC Food Observer chooses a handful of important stories for you to read as you finish your work week. On the menu, in no particular order: a sardine fishery …
Pesticide use near schools spurs push for statewide regulation
California grows nearly 90% of the nation’s strawberries. About 30% of the state’s strawberry production takes place in coastal Ventura County, with much of the crop being grown in the …
Q&A: Chris Sayer, Ventura County farmer and entrepreneur
” One of the real values for local food – and I would love to see more – is it helps to connect our neighbors to the issues surrounding agriculture. …