UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program

Margaret Lloyd, wearing a white, wide-brimmed hat and holding a clipboard, grabs a handful of soi from a tilled field.

Article

UC ANR hires experts in small farms, groundwater, forestry, soil health, youth development

July 14, 2025

By Michael Hsu, Pamela S Kan-Rice

To help farmers and other Californians address emerging issues, the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has hired more UC Cooperative Extension experts with a wide range of skills and experience. New UC Cooperative Extension specialists, advisors, coordinators and educators around the…

View Article

Article

UC ANR shares prospects for sustainably farming the ‘agave rush’

July 9, 2025

By Caroline D Champlin

The popularity of farming agave is taking off in California, with climate change motivating growers to consider planting drought-tolerant crops. With all that buzz, UC Organic Agriculture Institute hosted a field day for current and prospective agave growers to learn more about farming the plant with…

View Article

A man wearing a tan baseball cap with coffee plants and lush foliage in the background

Article

California agritourism can learn from small farms in Puerto Rico

April 16, 2025

By Kristen Farrar

Agritourism plays in important role in diversifying income and developing new markets for products. Statewide agritourism coordinator, Rachael Callahan, weighs in on the potential for agritourism to serve as a safety net, supporting the resiliency of California agriculture after disaster.

View Article

Ranunculus flowers at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad

Article

Summit to showcase California agritourism best practices, May 14-15

April 11, 2025

By Michael Hsu

Agritourism stakeholders are invited to San Diego County to share current initiatives and industry developments and gain practical tools to start or expand an agritourism business.

View Article

Article

Statewide team to assist small farms with SGMA

April 2, 2025

By Ngodoo Atume, Kristen Farrar

California relies on groundwater - water stored in underground aquifers and pumped through wells - for up to 41% of water supply in normal years and up to 60% during times of drought. In 2014, the California legislature signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) with the primary goal…

View Article

Page

Workshops & Events

Looking to learn more about the latest production practices or regulatory requirements for your small farm or specialty crop operation? If so, join the Small Farm Network for one of our upcoming trainings.

View Page

Page

Agritourism Intensive 2013 - 2014

The "Agritourism Intensive" classes, offered in Ventura, Monterey and Riverside Counties, were three-session agritourism planning courses offered by UC Cooperative Extension, the UC Small Farm Program and local partners for farmers and ranchers starting or growing their agritourism or nature tourism...

View Page

Page

USDA offers compensation for discrimination claims

The USDA claims website is www.farmerclaims.gov. Notice from USDA: If you believe that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) improperly denied farm loan benefits to you between 1981 and 2000 because you are Hispanic, or because you are female, you may be eligible to apply for compensation.

View Page

Subscribe to UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program