May 2009 Announcements
1. Read California’s AG VISION for the future
2. FUNDING for conversion to organic ag available: Now
3. Early Registration for UC/CSU/CCC Conference ends: 5/18
4. BERRY events in Central Valley next week: 5/19-20
5. HERBAL PRODUCTS Producer to Talk at Cal Poly: 5/19
6. IRRIGATION Efficiency workshops in SB County: 5/27-28
7. Safer PEST CONTROL Conference at UC Davis: 5/28
8. Sierra Club BENEFIT at SLO Botanical Garden: 5/30
9. DISCOUNT for Permaculture Design Course in SLO Co.: 6/14-27
10. Third Annual WATERFEST at the Morro Rock: 6/20
11. SCIENCE / WISDOM Conference in SLO: 6/24-28
12. Fourth Annual LAVENDER Festival: 7/11-12 and 7/18-19
13. Sustainable Ag Education CONFERENCE in Iowa: 7/15-17
14. California REGULATORY ISSUES Conference: 8/26-27
15. Organic Review (OMRI) JOBS available
16. DON’T FORGET! Coming SARC events to feature Sustainable Vineyard Certification & Author Michael Pollan…
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1. Read California’s AG VISION for the future
Three policy priorities for our State have been identified that can result in a sustainable agri-food system for California: 1) Better health and well-being for Californians; 2) A healthier state and world; 3) Thriving communities… Now posted on the CA’s Dept of Food & Ag (CDFA) website – opportunity to comment is welcome:
www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision
2. FUNDING for conversion to organic agriculture available: Now
The Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) has created a special $50 million pool of funding for a new Organic Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The Initiative will provide payments and technical assistance to transitioning and existing organic farmers who adopt NRCS conservation practices used in organic production systems. Sign up for this special pool of funds has begun and continues through May 29th. Contact your local NRCS office for details.
3. Early Registration for UC/CSU/CCC Conference ends: 5/18
The 8th Annual UC, CSU, CCC Sustainability Conference ‘Working Our Way to Zero’ will be held June 21st-24th, 2009 at UC Santa Barbara. Learn from staff, students, and faculty who have championed sustainability on their campuses. Find details at:
www.sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference
4. BERRY events in Central Valley next week: 5/19-20
Farmers interested in learning more about growing blueberries or blackberries can learn from the experiences of other growers and UC researchers at two days of berry-themed events this month. Highlights of the events include a tour of blueberry packing houses and a demonstration of blackberry trellis systems. Tuesday, May 19 – 20.
For details, please go to:
www.sfp.ucdavis.edu/events/09blueberries
5. HERBAL PRODUCTS Producer to Talk at Cal Poly: 5/19
Net Impact, the Sustainable Business Club, will host Caroline Duell from Elemental Herbs (www.elementalherbs.com) as speaker next Tuesday May 19th at 11a.m. at Cal Poly in Room 209 (Business Building). Caroline is the owner and founder of this local company, which sells an all natural healing balm, and other health products. All are welcome to attend.
6. IRRIGATION Efficiency workshops in SB County: 5/27-28
Join the Central Coast Vineyard Team and Farm Supply Company in this opportunity to learn about irrigation efficiency, one of the few practices a vineyard manager performs that has a significant impact on grape and wine quality. May 27th at Premiere Vineyards, and May 28th at Clos Pepe Vineyards. See the Vineyard Team website for details:
www.vineyardteam.org
7. Safer PEST CONTROL Conference at UC Davis: 5/28
A diverse array of stakeholders will present at the Safer Alternatives for Pest Control in Agriculture Conference at UC Davis on May 28. There are just a few spots open. Registration deadline is May 20. Agenda, flyer and registration is available at:
www.coehce.org/courses/ucdavis2009.html
8. Sierra Club BENEFIT at SLO Botanical Garden: 5/30
Santa Lucia Sierra Club (San Luis Obispo) to host Landscapes of Change at the SLO Botanical Garden on May 30, 2009, 5:00 - 9:00 pm. This annual award banquet and tour of the Botanical Gardens will feature a delicious, gourmet Mediterranean benefit dinner. Keynote speaker: Michael Fitts, Endangered Habitats League. Tickets and details may be found at:
www.santalucia.sierraclub.org/banquet09.html
9. DISCOUNT for Permaculture Design Course in SLO Co.: 6/14-27
Hands-On Permaculture Design Certificate Course will be held at Four Elements Farm in Atascadero. Includes hands-on opportunities on the organic farm. Instructors:
Larry Santoyo, Director, EarthFlow Design Works and Toby Hemenway, Author of Gaia's Garden the #1 selling Permaculture book in the world. You may receive a $100 SARC registration discount by entering ‘SARC’ in the space for discount codes on the registration page. Please visit the course site:
www.earthflow.com/SLOPDC09.php
10. Third Annual WATERFEST at the Morro Rock: 6/20
A celebration and educational event about our water resources will be held in Morro Bay on June 20. For flyer and more info go to:
www.slowaterfest.org
11. SCIENCE / WISDOM Conference in SLO: 6/24-28
Science, Wisdom, and the Future: Humanity's Quest for a Flourishing Earth. Wednesday, June 24 – Sunday, June 28 to be held at Embassy Suites, San Luis Obispo. What does evolutionary and scientific research tell us about how we came to be and how we function as a social, political, & spiritual species? Many interesting themes relating to sustainability of the planet will be considered. For details, visit:
www.epicandfutures.org
12. Fourth Annual LAVENDER Festival: 7/11-12 and 7/18-19
Food, art & fun at our local lavender farm. See details at:
www.greenacreslavenderfarm.com
13. Sustainable Agriculture Education CONFERENCE in Iowa: 7/15-17
This national conference will address key issues of sustainable agriculture education research and practice. It will provide an open exchange of information among students, faculty, staff, administrators, student farm managers, farmers, non-profits, community organizers and others. Early registration ends July 1. Find details at:
www.sustainableaged.org/2009Conference/tabid/89/Default.aspx
14. California REGULATORY ISSUES Conference: 8/26-27
August 26-27 - Hyatt Regency - Downtown Sacramento. The Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) will address a variety of regulatory laws, science, initiatives and policies impacting crop protection and pesticide materials used in California at the upcoming 2009 California Regulatory Issues Conference. For a detailed agenda and registration, visit:
www.healthyplants.org/members_public/09_Reg_Brochure.pdf
15. Organic Review (OMRI) JOBS available
Organic Materials Review Institute is looking for qualified candidates for a Review Program Assistant (FT), an Applicant Support Specialist (FT), a Communications & Marketing Coordinator (half time), and a Quality Manager (half time). They are all located in Eugene, OR. Find complete announcements online at:
www.omri.org/jobs
16. DON’T FORGET! 2 Great SARC Events…
SUSTAINABLE AG LECTURE SERIES: On May 28, we will be hosting Central Coast Vineyard Team Executive Director Kris O’Connor on ‘Certifying Sustainability in Vineyards.’ This will include an overview of the Vineyard Team’s new Sustainability in Practice (SiP) program. See details on the SARC website:
www.sarc.calpoly.edu/events/lectureseries.html
SARC’s 4th Annual Fundraiser Events: Author/journalist Michael Pollan will be this year’s special guest at our annual fundraiser event. We are planning a fabulous meal for October 14, to be followed by a free public presentation by Mr. Pollan at Cal Poly on October 15. Details can be found on our website:
www.sarc.calpoly.edu/events/fundraisers.html
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