Progress 09/01/06 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This is a statewide project consisting of statewide outreach to small scale farmers and scale-specific research in five regions of California. Progress made toward outreach objectives during 2009 included the following activities: Over 60 regional workshops and field days were organized statewide throughout the year on a wide range of topics that are crucial to small-scale producers, including pest management and pesticide safety, food safety, enterprise selection, and compliance with regulatory standards in labor management, organic practices, specialty crop production, and marketing. Approximately 2500 farmers were reached through these activities, of which approximately 1625 were disadvantaged producers (65%). Workshops were offered in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Chinese, as relevant to local demographics. Many of these were co-organized with local non-profit agencies such as the California Farmlink, OSHA, Open Space Authority (OSA), and with various USDA agencies, including FSA and RMA. Biweekly radio broadcasts hosted in Hmong and in Spanish targeted small-scale growers for whom Hmong or Spanish is the primary language, reaching a listening audience estimated at 25,000 listeners. Radio programs included guest call-ins on regional and wide-ranging agricultural issues, and provided information about USDA programs that are of relevance to the target clientele. Additionally, presentations were made to professionals from USDA-CSREES, regional Farm Bureau officials, UCCE peers, and farm advisors from other states on effective ways to reach out to socially disadvantaged farmers. SFP regional advisors also performed individualized farm production consulting for over 125 farmers, and did significant work with OSHA and non-English speaking small farmers on labor compliance issues. Progress made toward project research objectives during 2009 included on-going field research on specialty crop production and marketing, consumer preferences, irrigation management, and pest/disease control. Results of trials were shared with growers at regional meetings on a regular basis, with up to 25 growers in attendance and will provide the basis for future outreach content and opportunities. Additionally, a detailed analysis of how regulatory changes have affected growers of leafy greens in California was conducted, with results showing that smaller producers pay a higher price for compliance. SFP Director Shermain Hardesty testified at USDA hearings to present the study. SFP advisors and staff co-organized one-day short courses and 90-minute workshops for the 2009 California Small Farm Conference, held in Sacramento from March 1-3. SFP administrative staff and advisors were also instrumental in organizing the conference by serving on the conference executive and scholarship committees. The annual event is the result of a collaborative effort between several non-profit groups, university and Cooperative Extension representatives, and USDA agencies (FSA, NRCS, RMA). A majority of conference participants were limited resource and socially disadvantaged producers, and over 100 limited resource producers received scholarships to attend. PARTICIPANTS: Individual Participants: Shermain Hardesty, SFP Director, Principal Investigator and Project Director. Provided direction and coordination for statewide program efforts, and research on marketing topics. Richard Molinar, Small Farm Advisor, Fresno Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Michael Yang, Program Representative, Fresno Co. Assisted with research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Manuel Jimenez, Small Farm Advisor, Tulare Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Walter Martinez-Casarez, Field Assistant, Tulare Co. Provided assistance for field research, education and outreach efforts. Aziz Baameur, Small Farm Advisor, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Mark Gaskell, Small Farm Advisor, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Ramiro Lobo, Small Farm Advisor, San Diego Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Courtney Riggle (replacing Kristin Reynolds), Small Farm Program Representative. Collected status reports on statewide project; coordinated annual reporting. Brenda Dawson, Small Farm Program Communications Coordinator, provided statewide coordination of communications efforts, including newsletter, website and event publicity. Partner Organizations: None. Collaborators and Contacts: University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of California Cooperative Extension, USDA Risk Management Agency, USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), California Small Farm Conference, California Farmlink, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (OSA). Training and Professional Development: None for project staff.; education and outreach efforts to target clientele, as described as output this report. TARGET AUDIENCES: This UC Small Farm Program research and outreach project builds upon our program's successes in serving California's limited resource minority farmers. With 12 percent of all minority farmers in the United States, California has one of the highest concentrations of socially disadvantaged farm operators in the country, and that number is increasing. As of the 2002 USDA-NASS Census of Agriculture, California had 13,298 minority principal operators. California has 43 percent of the Asian, 15 percent of the Latino, 22 percent of the Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 6 percent of the Native American and 1 percent of the African American principal operators in the country. California also has just over 5 percent of the country's female principal operators. The target audience for this project is thus varied and includes operators who are socially disadvantaged in terms of access to financial resources, assistance and services that are more readily available to other producers. This includes the groups described above who are at a disadvantage due to race, ethnicity, primary language, gender and/or economic status. Education and outreach to the target audience consists of a wide range of efforts described previously, including one-on-one consultations, media outreach, conferences, field days, workshops and hands-on trainings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project was originally scheduled to conclude September 30, 2009. A no-cost extension was received, extending the program through December 31, 2009.

Impacts
As a result of the Small Farm Program's outreach activities, small-scale growers, many of whom speak Spanish, Hmong, or Chinese as their primary language, have gained access to results of applied research on specialty crops, business management skills, relevant market analysis, irrigation/water quality management in agriculture, food handling and safety training, disease and pest management, pesticide safety training, and assistance negotiating complicated labor regulations. New small-scale appropriate specialty crops studied and introduced to farmers included guava, a variety of Asian vegetables, different specialty peppers and squashes, berries such as mulberries, currants, and cane berries, coffee, low-water crops such as pitahaya. SFP also continues its work with blueberries, which it has worked with for several years to great success and continues to adapt to a variety of the state's climate zones. Initially grown in California by small farmers alone, blueberries went from virtually no production a decade ago to currently over 5000 acres -- and many of the small farmers who were early adopters have become not "not-so-small" economically. New growing systems used to mitigate sunburn, extend growing seasons, and conserve water were also introduced to small farmers, and many small farmers are successfully adopting organic pest control practices for specialty crops that chemicals are either not approved for yet, or for which small farmers cannot afford the licensing. Management of disease and pest hot spots was also addressed, and a survey was done of technologies and practices to help growers understand the economics of recycling plastic products used in field production and potential new technologies that can help solve this growing problem. Information was disseminated through ongoing personal consultations, workshops, classes, field days, radio and printed newsletters and other printed materials. The diversity of information delivery means that small-scale producers in the five project regions have gained access to one-on-one consultations, and that information learned through these consultations also reached wider audiences. Workshops and classes typically attracted between 20 and 60 producers, while field days and conferences reached 100-300 or more during this period. Pesticide workshops consistently came it at 300+ attendees. Radio and print publications also reached thousands of listeners and readers. Links were strengthened between USDA programs, (including RMA, FSA, and NRCS), other service agencies serving small-scale farmers, and limited-resource producers themselves through several means. These were: presentations given by USDA representatives at workshops and conferences organized by UC SFP and UCCE; cooperation with USDA agencies in the organization of additional educational events; and presentation of information about USDA programs that are relevant to socially disadvantaged producers. Project staff also increased limited-resource producers' participation in the 2009 California Small Farm Conference, (held in Sacramento), thereby exposing them to USDA exhibits and workshops conducted at the annual conference.

Publications

• Baameur, Aziz, S. Koike, R. Smith. 2009. Selective Insecticidal Treatments & their impact on Virus Vectors in Pepper Production-Report to Calif. Pepper Commission. 2/28/09.
• Baameur, Aziz. 2009. Potential of Biodegradable mulch use in Pepper Production. Report to Calif. Pepper Commission. 2/28/09
• Baameur, Aziz, Dawson, B. 2009. Water quality courses assist California's ethnic Chinese growers. UC Delivers. http://ucanr.org/delivers/impactview.cfmimpactnum=618.
• Baameur, Aziz. July 7, 2009. Hidden Water Imports into Your Kitchen. Paper and talk presented at S. Clara County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
• Baameur, Aziz, M. Cantwell, J. Leap. 2009. Tomato Fruit Quality in Response to Reduced Water Application. Abstract: HortScience, page: 1055.
• Gaskell, Mark. 2009. Extended Season Fresh Blueberry Production. American Small Farm. Vol.18 No. 3. Delaware, OH. Pg 23-24.
• Gaskell, M. 2009. Yield and fruit quality of Southern highbush blueberries at varying planting density and row spacing. Acta Horticulturae 810: 489-494.
• Gaskell, M.L.. UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines for Caneberries - Tunnel Culture. Section. Publication 3437. December 2009.
• Hardesty, Shermain D. and Yoko Kusunose. 2009. Growers' Compliance Costs for the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement and Other Food Safety Programs. University of California Small Farm Program Research Brief. September. www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/docs/leafygreens.pdf
• Jimenez, M., K. Klonsky, and R. De Moura. 2009. Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Fresh Market Blueberries: San Joaquin Valley South. University of California Cooperative Extension, Cost Study. BR-VS-09.
• Jimenez, M. 2009. Blueberry field trials yield some answers, more questions. Small Farm News. Volume 2, 2009. University of California Small Farm Program.
• Molinar, Richard H. 2009. Spotted Spurge - Pest Note. UC ANR Publication 7445. (peer-reviewed and approved. (Not on-line yet with new date and authors). http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7445.html

Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This is a statewide project consisting of outreach in five regions of California. Progress made toward project objectives during 2008 included the following activities. Regional workshops and field days were organized statewide throughout the year on a wide range of topics that are crucial to small-scale producers. Between 10% and 100% of participants in these events were socially disadvantaged producers. Topics included pest management, food safety, enterprise selection, and compliance with regulatory standards in labor management, organic practices, specialty crop production, and marketing. Workshops were offered statewide in English, Spanish, and Chinese, as relevant to local demographics. Many of these were co-organized with local non-profit agencies such as the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, OSHA, and with various USDA agencies, including FSA and RMA. Biweekly radio broadcasts hosted in Hmong and in Spanish targeted small-scale growers for whom Hmong or Spanish is the primary language. Programs included guest call-ins on regional and wide-ranging agricultural issues. As a part of the radio outreach, information was also provided about USDA programs that are of relevance to the target clientele. Broadcasts reached a listening audience estimated at 25,000 listeners. On-going field research was conducted on specialty crop production and marketing; consumer preferences; irrigation management; and pest/disease control. Results of trials were shared with growers at regional meetings on a regular basis, with up to 25 growers in attendance and will provide the basis for future outreach. On average, approximately of one half of the participants were socially disadvantaged producers. SFP advisors and staff co-organized one-day short courses and 90-minute workshops for the 2008 California Small Farm Conference, held in Visalia from Feb 24-26. SFP administrative staff and advisors were also instrumental in organizing the conference by serving on the conference executive and scholarship committees. The annual event is the result of a collaborative effort between several non-profit groups, university and Cooperative Extension representatives, and USDA agencies (FSA, NRCS, RMA). A majority of conference participants were limited resource and socially disadvantaged producers. A series of blueberry field days in Ventura, Parlier and Nipomo were combined for "A Week of Blueberries" from May 19-22. The field days included presentations and field demonstrations given by SFP advisors and other university and Cooperative Extension blueberry experts. A 6-minute video was also produced by the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources to highlight SFP's work with blueberries. A wider audience was thus able to view the streaming video via Internet. The statewide event was organized as a result of cooperation between UC Cooperative Extension agencies, the Hansen Trust, and the USDA Risk Management Agency, and reached 245 growers, approximately100 of whom were small-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers PARTICIPANTS: Individual Participants: Shermain Hardesty, SFP Director, Principle Investigator and Project Director. Provided direction and coordination for statewide program efforts. Richard Molinar, Small Farm Advisor, Fresno Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Michael Yang, Program Representative, Fresno Co. Assisted with research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Manuel Jimenez, Small Farm Advisor, Tulare Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Walter Martinez-Casarez, Field Assistant, Tulare Co. Provided assistance for field research, education and outreach efforts. Aziz Baameur, Small Farm Advisor, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Mark Gaskell, Small Farm Advisor, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Ramiro Lobo, Small Farm Advisor, San Diego Co. Conducted research on relevant crops, field management, and farm management; conducted education and outreach to target clientele. Kristin Reynolds, Small Farm Program Program Representative Collected status reports on statewide project; coordinated annual reporting. Brenda Dawson, Small Farm Program Communications Coordinator Provided statewide coordination of communications efforts, including newsletter, website and event publicity. Partner Organizations: None Collaborators and Contacts: University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of California Cooperative Extension USDA Risk Management Agency USDA Farm Service Agency Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) California Small Farm Conference Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAGE) Training and Professional Development: None for project staff. Education and outreach efforts to target clientele, as described as output this report. TARGET AUDIENCES: Audience This UC Small Farm Program outreach project builds upon our program's successes in serving California's limited resource minority farmers. With 12 percent of all minority farmers in the United States, California has the highest concentration of socially disadvantaged farm operators in the country, and that number is increasing. California has 13,298 minority principal operators, an increase of more than 100 percent from 1997. California has 42 percent of the Asian, 15 percent of the Latino, 22 percent of the Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 6 percent of the Native American and 1 percent of the African American principal operators in the country. California also has just over 5 percent of the country's female principal operators. The target audience for this project is thus varied and includes operators who are socially disadvantaged in terms of access to financial resources, assistance and services that are more readily available to other producers. This includes the groups described above who are at a disadvantage due to race, ethnicity, primary language, gender and/or economic status. Education and outreach to the target audience consists of a wide range of efforts described previously, including one-on-one consultations, media outreach, conferences, field days, workshops and hands-on trainings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
As a result of the Small Farm Program's outreach activities, small-scale growers, many of whom speak Spanish, Hmong, or Chinese as their primary language, have gained access to results of applied research on specialty crops, business management skills, relevant market analysis, and irrigation/water quality management in agriculture. Information was disseminated through ongoing personal consultations, workshops, classes, field days, radio and printed newsletters and other printed materials. The diversity of information delivery means that small-scale producers in the five regions covered by the Small Farm Program gained access to one-on-one consultation when relevant, and that this information also reached wider audiences. Workshops and classes typically attracted between 20 and 60 producers, while field days and conferences reached 100 or more during this period. Radio and print publications also reached thousands of listeners and recipients of newsletters, which are mailed out to county-wide lists, and distributed at various events. Links were strengthened between USDA programs, (including RMA, FSA, and NRCS), other service agencies serving small-scale farmers, and limited-resource producers themselves through several means. These were: presentations given by USDA representatives at workshops and conferences organized by UC SFP and UCCE; cooperation with USDA agencies in the organization of additional educational events; and presentation of information about USDA programs that are relevant to socially disadvantaged producers. Project staff also increased limited-resource producers' participation in the 2008 California Small Farm Conference, (held in Visalia), thereby exposing them to USDA exhibits and workshops conducted at the annual conference.

Publications

• Bremer, V., Crisosto, G., Molinar, R., Jimenez, M., Dollahite, S. and Crisosto, C., 2008. San Joaquin Valley blueberries evaluated for quality attributes, California Agriculture: 62:3
• Gaskell, M., 2008. Yield and fruit quality of southern highbush blueberries at varying plant density and row spacing. Acta Horticulturae: proceedings from ISHS IX International Vaccinium Symposium, Corvallis, OR, July 13 to 15, 2008.
• Lobo, R.E., Lev, L., and Nakamoto, S., 2008. A Market-Driven Enterprise Screening Guide. University of California Small Farm Program, UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Online at www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/docs/new_enterprise.pdf.
• Lobo, R., Lev, L., Nakamoto.S. Western Extension Marketing Committee, 2008. A market-driven enterprise screening guide in Assessment and Strategy Development for Agriculture. Western Extension Marketing Committee, University Center for Economic Development, University of Nevada, Reno. Technical Report UCED 2008 08:13. Online at: http://cals.arizona.edu/arec/wemc/nichemarkets/03marketdrivenenterpri se.pdf.
• Lobo, R., Lev, L., Nakamoto.S. Western Extension Marketing Committee, 2008. A market driven enterprise screening guide, PowerPoint Presentation. Online at: http://cals.arizona.edu/arec/wemc/nichemarkets/3a_NewEnterprises.pdf
• Smith, R., Baameur, A., Bari, M., Cahn, M., Cantwell, M., Giraud, D., Natwick, E. Erik, Takele, E., 2008. Artichoke production in California. UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources 7000 Series.
• Stapleton, J. J., Wilen, C. A., Molinar, R. H., 2008. Soil Solarization for Gardens & Landscapes. UC IPM Pest Notes. UC ANR Publication 74145. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74145.html

Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/07

Outputs
2 workshops (12-20 participants at each) provided assistance on IPM & solarization to small-scale Hmong farmers. A presentation on pesticide safety was given at an Asian Village Health Fair for125 attendees. A Small Farm Resource Network meeting (28 different agencies had 32 agency representatives. A list of critical issues was developed & ranked for agencies to focus outreach efforts. Verification of the issues is through field visits, consultations, & surveys with SE Asian farmers. Biweekly radio broadcasts reaching an estimated 25,000 hosted in Hmong with guest call-ins on regional ag issues. The shows also aired online at www.thehmongradio.com for a wider audience. Tasting & sensory evaluation of 6 blueberry varieties was conducted at a May Blueberry field day. Field trials of solarization in strawberries were conducted at sites in Fresno County. La Mexicana a radio program in Spanish presented information on specialty crops research & upcoming meetings.The programs are a 15 minute presentation & 15 minutes Q&A for an estimated 5,000-8,000 listeners. Hands-on ag training was held at Bravo Lake Botanical Gardens in Woodlake.The project combines community-led planting of a wide variety of CA ag species, ag history, & youth training in ag & community leadership skills. Specialty crops trials were conducted; information disseminated through workshops & field days. Crops were blueberries, papaya, guava, & specialty varieties of peppers, tomatoes, & other more established veg & fruits. Techniques presented in both English & Spanish: use of mulch layers, hoop houses, & irrigation mgt for these crops. Short courses on water quality, irrigation, & nutrient mgt were conducted in Chinese languages for 50 ethnic Chinese producers. For the first time in the region, print materials were provided in Chinese. 65 producers attended courses conducted in Chinese on post-harvest handling & food safety for traditional Chinese vegetables & Light Brown Apple Moth. Personal mini-seedless watermelon trials were conducted for production & sensory evaluation with Master Gardeners. Multiple research & demonstration trials with alternative high value small fruit crops were conducted and evaluated in conventional & organic production systems, & compared to USDA-AMS market news service wholesale price reports. Outreach enabled producers to make the connection between day-to-day mgt & USDA price reports. Findings were presented to grower groups enhancing their ability to make informed agribusiness mgt decisions. Information was given in English & Spanish through field days, workshops & county newsletters for groups from 40-65 growers per event. Research efforts focused on maintenance & data collection, mainly Pitahaya Variety Evaluation; blueberry variety evaluations (harvest data collection) & blackberry/raspberry variety trials. Results in English & Spanish were presented at conferences & workshops. 110 attended a Sept 15 Pitahaya Field Day. An enterprise selection tool was developed to help small-scale growers evaluate potential markets & production factors for new crops. This tool was presented at conferences for small-scale growers with 20-100 per event.

Impacts
As a result of the Small Farm Program's outreach activities, small-scale growers, many of whom speak Spanish, Hmong, or Chinese as their primary language, have gained access to results of applied research on specialty crops, business management skills, relevant market analysis, irrigation and water quality management in agriculture. Information was disseminated through ongoing personal consultations, workshops, classes, field days, radio and printed newsletters and other printed materials. The diversity of information delivery means that small-scale producers in the five regions covered by the Small Farm Program have access to one-on-one consultation when relevant, and that this information also reaches larger audiences. Workshops and classes typically attracted between 20 and 60 producers, while field days and conferences reached 100 or more during this period. Radio and print publications also reached thousands of listeners and recipients of newsletters, which are mailed out to county-wide lists, and distributed at various events. Links were strengthened between USDA programs, (including RMA, FSA, and NRCS), other service agencies serving small-scale farmers, and limited-resource producers themselves through several means. These were: meetings of the Small Farm Resource Network; and presentations given by USDA representatives at workshops and conferences organized by UC SFP and UCCE. Project staff also increased limited-resource producers' participation in two California Small Farm Conference, (2007 and 2008), thereby exposing them to USDA exhibits and workshops conducted at each year's conference.

Publications

• Cahn, M. and Baameur, A. 2007. Fertigation Manual for Row Crops (English version.) UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County.
• Cahn, M. and Baameur, A. 2007. Fertigation Manual for Row Crops (Spanish version.) UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County.
• Fouche, B., and Boelk, D, with contributing authors Mullen, B. Whiteley, S., Colbert, D. and Wittie, R. 2006. Pepper variety evaluation trials in San Joaquin County. UC ANR.
• Gaskell, M. and Faber B, 2007.Update on lychee and longan field trials and plantings in Southern California. Topics in Subtropics. 5(2): 2-4 UC Cooperative Extension. Ventura, CA.
• Gaskell, Mark and Smith, R. 2007. Nitrogen sources for organic vegetable crops. HortTechnology 17:431-441.
• Hokholt, Lisa, A. Baameur. 2007. Erosion & Sediments Control for Ethnic Chinese growers. Manual for Water Quality Short Course. 22pgs. (In English/Chinese.)
• Lobo, R.E., Hardesty, S.D., Bethke, J.A., Klonsky, K.M., and De Moura, R.L. 2007.
• Small Farm News, Vol. 1. Feb 2007.
• Small Farm News Vol 2. Aug 2007.
• Small Farm News Vol. 3. Nov 2007.
• Baameur, Aziz, M E Dick. 2007. Plan development for water quality for Ethnic Chinese growers. Manual for Water Quality Short Course. 36 pg. (In English/Chinese.)
• Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Protea on the South Coast, San Diego County. UC Cooperative Extension, San Diego County 2007