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KEY FINDINGS
There is a significant need to establish long-term connections between beginning farmers and ranchers and existing farmers and ranchers with experience over many years sustaining their agricultural operation in California.
Existing membership of the California Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Program has requested efforts to develop a mentoring program.
A mentoring project, like intergenerational farming connections, will ensure knowledge transfer and assist in the long-term success of a diversity of family farms in California.
The mentoring link is critical to facilitating real-world experiences and information sharing and further lowering the economic, market, and regulatory barriers to entry for beginning farmers and ranchers, including those farmers that are socially disadvantaged and veterans.
The Program is Supported by:
A $574,750 grant from the United State Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program (BFRDP) for three years.
The California Bountiful Foundation, the 501(C)(3) non-profit science, research, and education organization of the California Farm Bureau.
The California Farm Bureau‘s 21,000 membership which includes new and experienced farmers and ranchers.
Integration with the California Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Program.
Will allow for mentoring for many beginning farmers and ranchers over two years.
Partnerships with veteran and socially disadvantaged farmer and rancher organizations to support veterans and black farmers and ranchers.
To find out more: Contact the California Bountiful Foundation at cabountifulfoundation@cfbf.com or Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, Director of Science and Research, at (916) 561-5500.
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