“Resilience From the Ground Up”
Join the North Coast Soil Hub and regional partners for a variety of on-farm workshops over four weeks in late March and early April, exploring innovative practices that enhance soil health, foster biodiversity, and support climate adaptation and resilience. The 5th Annual North Coast Soil Symposium is an opportunity to build community around advancing knowledge of soil health, learn from the experiences and successes of local farmers and ranchers, explore region-specific research, and connect with industry leaders. Tailored to the diverse agricultural systems of the North Coast, the events will feature on-the-ground projects and practical strategies to build on-farm climate resilience. Don’t miss this opportunity to gather in person, share knowledge, and strengthen our agricultural community!
Únase al Centro de Suelos de la Costa Norte y a sus socios regionales en una serie de talleres en el campo que se llevarán a cabo durante cuatro semanas, entre finales de marzo y principios de abril. Estos encuentros ofrecerán un espacio para explorar prácticas innovadoras que mejoran la salud del suelo, promueven la biodiversidad y refuerzan la adaptación y resiliencia climática. El 5.º Simposio Anual del Suelo de la Costa Norte es una oportunidad única para fortalecer la comunidad agrícola, compartir conocimientos sobre la salud del suelo, aprender de las experiencias de agricultores y ganaderos locales, y aprender acerca de investigaciones y soluciones adaptadas a la región. Con un enfoque práctico y orientado a los diversos sistemas agrícolas de la Costa Norte, los eventos destacarán proyectos en marcha y estrategias eficaces para mejorar la resiliencia climática en el campo. ¡Aproveche esta ocasión para conectarse con expertos del sector, intercambiar ideas y seguir construyendo un futuro agrícola sostenible!
Tillage in Small-Scale Annual Cropping Systems: Balancing Farmer Well-being and Soil Health
Date: Wednesday, March 12
Time: 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Yagi Sisters Farm, Sebastopol
Cost: Free
Join the North Coast Soil Hub, UCCE, CAFF, and Yagi Sisters Farm for a workshop on tillage in diversified annual cropping systems. The workshop will feature an overview of the tillage trial Reyna Yagi and Ellie Andrews established as part of the CA Farm Demonstration Network to explore the intersection of farmer well-being and ecological health, a grower panel on decision-making around tillage, information on soil-water dynamics, and peer learning discussion sessions on equipment and tradeoffs. Join us to learn, share, and advance the conversation together! Spanish interpretation is available. Registration is limited, please prioritize space for farmers.
Labranza en Sistemas de Cultivo Anual a Pequeña Escala: Equilibrando el Bienestar del Agricultor y la Salud del Suelo
12 de Marzo, 2025
1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Granja Yagi Sisters, Sebastopol
Gratuito
Únase al Centro de Suelos de la Costa Norte, la Extensión Cooperativa de la Universidad de California, la Alianza Comunitaria con Agricultores Familiares y la Granja Yagi Sisters en un taller sobre labranza en sistemas diversificados de cultivos anuales. El taller incluirá un resumen de un ensayo de investigación sobre labranza establecido por Reyna Yagi y la asesora de la Extensión Cooperativa Ellie Andrews como parte de la Red de Demostración Agrícola de CA, explorando la relación entre el bienestar del agricultor y la salud ecológica. También contaremos con un panel de productores centrado en la toma de decisiones sobre labranza, información sobre la dinámica suelo-agua y sesiones de discusión y aprendizaje sobre las ventajas y desventajas del uso de diferente maquinaria. ¡Acompáñenos para aprender, compartir y avanzar juntos en esta conversación! Se ofrecerá interpretación en español. El cupo es limitado; se dará prioridad a los agricultores.
Resilient Rangelands: Stewarding Grassland Ecosystems for the Future
Date: Wednesday, March 26
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Stemple Creek Ranch, Tomales
Cost: $30 (Includes coffee, pastries, and lunch)
Join the North Coast Soil Hub, Stemple Creek Ranch, and Point Blue Conservation Science for a day on the land exploring on-farm resilience, grazing management strategies for resource conservation, and evaluation and monitoring tools. With extreme weather events increasing in the region, hear from local ranchers how they are building resilience to drought, floods, wildfire, and seasonal shifts. In addition to learning valuable tools for evaluating changes and monitoring indicators of ecosystem health over time, participants will have the opportunity to gather together, share experiences, and strengthen our regional network.
Promoting Livestock Integration and Pollinator Habitat in Vineyards
Date: Friday, March 28
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12 Noon
Location: Alta Orsa Winery, Hopland
Cost: $15 (Includes coffee and pastries)
Join the Mendocino County RCD and Alta Orsa Winery for an open discussion of regenerative viticulture practices, and a tour of the vineyard and winery with winegrower Martin Bernal-Hafner. The focus of this event will be on the benefits of supporting grazing and pollinator habitat in the vineyard, but there will be room to discuss the other exciting practices and projects ongoing at Alta Orsa, such as no-till, cover cropping, compost, and how the winery is keeping up with the grape market through sustainability.
Cultivating Biodiversity, Soil Health, and Community in North Coast Vineyards
Date: Wednesday, April 2
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Medlock Ames, Healdsburg
Cost: $40 (Includes coffee, pastries and lunch)
Join the North Coast Soil Hub, UC Organic Agriculture Institute, Medlock Ames Winery, Sonoma Vineyard Technical Group, and Napa Green for a half day workshop to build community and advance our shared understanding of how to improve soil health and biodiversity in North Coast vineyards. The Symposium features a grower panel on transitioning to regenerative practices, science talks on integrated sheep vineyard systems and soil health evaluation, and resources for supporting wildlife habitat and biodiversity. The 5th Annual Soil Symposium will be a critical opportunity to build resilience and strengthen connections in the face of change. Free hedgerow tour at Ridge Vineyards to follow – please register separately for the tour.
Hedgerow Tour at Ridge Vineyards
Date: Wednesday, April 2
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Ridge Vineyards
Cost: Free
Join Sonoma RCD and Ridge Vineyards for a tour of hedgerow projects that provide habitat for pollinators, pest predators, and wildlife in the vineyard. Participants will learn about the multiple benefits of hedgerows and how they can serve as a valuable part of the overall farm management system.
This work is supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number NR239104XXXXC019 and hosted on behalf of the California Farm Demonstration Network and supported by funds from the Climate Action Research Grants Program of the University of California, Grant # R02CP6986.
