3rd Annual Farmers Guild-Raising 2016

On February 20, agrarian communities from across California converge in Sonoma County to re-envision our food system at The Farmers Guild's 3rd Annual Farmers Guild Raising. We call upon you, farmers and good food advocates alike, to come forge local solutions to our agricultural and food system challenges, all while celebrating the newest generation of food and farms.

All eight Farmers Guilds—from the Mendocino Coast down to San Luis Obisbo—unite for one day to engage on vital issues such as carbon farming, land access and agricultural policy, exploring opportunities like growers’ cooperatives and innovative markets for organic produce. Return home with new connections, tools and inspiration to enhance your farm and empower your community.

FEBRUARY 20
2016

8AM
DOORS OPEN

9AM - 5:30PM
WORKSHOPS & PRESENTATIONS

6PM
AGRARIAN LOVERS BALL

SPEAKERS & ACTIVITIES

Paul Kaiser runs Singing Frogs Farm, a unique, no-till, ecologically beneficial, highly intensive vegetable farm in Sonoma County. Through innovative systems, including no-till soil management, they have more than tripled the organic matter in their soil, all while producing more than five times the state average of crops per acre and while bringing back tremendous, healthy populations of pollinators, beneficial insects and vertebrates (natural pest control). Not only do they use less water to produce vegetables because of soil organic matter, they also use NO sprays of any kind, not even organic sprays, and their crew of year-round employees (not seasonal) have job security.

ALSO ON THE MENU...

Carbon Farming for the Future

Career Roadmaps of Farmers

The Many Faces of
Agricultural Cooperatives

Community Tool Libraries

Pathways for New Farmers

The Intersection of
Agriculture & Permaculture

Taking Back Control of
Good Food's Lexicon

Small Farms Confront
Economies of Scale

Urban Farms of the Future

CHECK OUT THE FULL SCHEDULE HERE

With questions or to get involved, contact us here!

TRAVELING FROM OUT OF TOWN?

To accommodate those from further away, we are helping to match travelers for this event with hospitable locals willing to offer a guest room, couch or some dry space in their barn.

FIND OR OFFER A HOMESTAY HERE

FOLLOWED BY...

ADMISSION TO THE LOVERS BALL ONLY.
ALL TICKETS TO THE GUILD-RAISING (above) INCLUDE ADMISSION TO THE LOVERS BALL.

DAY 2
UP UP FILM FESTIVAL: Sunday February 21

This collection of feature length, independently-produced films and shorts explores questions of farmland access, rural livelihoods, and the relationships of people and place.

SEBASTOPOL GRANGE
6000 Sebastopol Ave.
Sebastopol, CA