enero 14, 2015
Posted in: Press Releases
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Media Contacts:
Amy Ricard | SCAPOSD
707/565.7261
amy.ricard@sonoma-county.org
Stephanie Larson, Ph.D. | UCCE
707 / 565.2621
slarson@ucanr.edu
El Distrito de Preservación Agrícola y Espacios Abiertos y el Plan de Extensión Cooperativa de la Universidad de California “Granja Incubadora” para Apoyar a los Agricultores y Ganaderos del Condado de Sonoma
Público invitado a asistir a la reunión informativa el miércoles, enero 28, 2015
(SANTA ROSA, CA) enero 14, 2015 – The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District (District) is thrilled to partner with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) to consider plans to host an “incubator farm” on the Young-Armos property, a District-owned property located at the north end of Rohnert Park. The District and the UCCE, along with Third District Supervisor Shirlee Zane, will host a public meeting on Wednesday, enero 28, 2015 from 4pm-6pm at Crane Melon Barn to share ideas and goals for the project and to solicit input from the community. Speakers will include Supervisor Zane, Dr. Stephanie Larson of the UCCE, and District General Manager Bill Keene, among others. The public is cordially invited to attend this presentation to learn more about this concept, ask questions, and provide feedback.
“Este proyecto brinda una oportunidad única para que muchas partes interesadas (vecinos, agricultores, agencias del condado) trabajen juntos para apoyar nuestra comunidad agrícola y la economía en el condado de Sonoma”, dijo el supervisor Zane. "Esperamos que el público se una a nosotros para compartir sus pensamientos e ideas al comenzar el proceso de planificación".
Support needed for local farmers and ranchers
The financial risks associated with farming and ranching are quite significant. Aspiring farmers need support for at least three to five years before striking out on their own in order to learn the skills necessary to become an economically independent and viable business. Furthermore, land in Sonoma County is hard to find at an affordable price for a farmer or rancher who is just starting out. Across the country, the biggest hurdles for those wanting to pursue an agrarian lifestyle are access to land and capital. The “incubator farm” concept is the next step for many who cannot find or afford land on their own. It provides a small plot, shared infrastructure, access to equipment, business training, and mentoring for a reduced rate for up to five years. The use of incubator farms is becoming a national trend and the District and the UCCE are pleased to join that movement by supporting local farmers and ranchers in Sonoma County.
Además de proporcionar la tierra para albergar la finca en sí, el Distrito planea contribuir con fondos significativos para preparar el sitio para actividades agrícolas y programáticas. Además, la UCCE recibió una subvención del Programa de Desarrollo de Agricultores Ganaderos Principiantes (BFRDP, por sus siglas en inglés) del USDA para capacitar a 75 agricultores y ganaderos aspirantes a través de capacitación empresarial y tutoría, y buscará otras subvenciones y fuentes de financiamiento para respaldar este proyecto. Para obtener más información sobre el programa BFR, visite http://ucanr.edu/sites/BFRSOCO/.
“En la economía actual, los agricultores y ganaderos deben considerarse empresarios además de productores agrícolas”, dijo Linda Peterson, coordinadora del programa BFR de UCCE. “Brindar a nuestros agricultores principiantes acceso a tierra, capital y capacitación comercial es esencial para preservar la agricultura a pequeña escala en el condado de Sonoma y transformar nuestro sistema alimentario en su conjunto”.
Farming and habitat restoration to occur side by side
The project also presents an opportunity to demonstrate the compatibility of best practices for farming and enhancement of habitat for sensitive species. A key component of the project at the Young-Armos property will include restoration of seasonal wetland and upland habitats in support of the federally-protected California tiger salamander and rare plant species. The incubator farm at Young-Armos, in combination with habitat protection and enhancement actions on this property and other District-owned properties nearby, would expand a potential habitat corridor for these sensitive species, and could serve as a model for other multi-benefit projects.
“Transformar esta propiedad en un espacio agrícola activo y abundante proporcionará productos frescos y locales a las comunidades vecinas ya la comunidad en general”, dijo el Gerente General del Distrito, Bill Keene. "Además, estamos encantados de trabajar con la Extensión Cooperativa de la Universidad de California y otros para ayudar a nutrir a los agricultores y ganaderos principiantes en el condado de Sonoma, mientras que al mismo tiempo restauramos el hábitat crítico para la vida silvestre".
Para confirmar su asistencia para asistir a la reunión pública el enero 28, 2015, comuníquese con Alex Roa al alex.roa@sonoma-county.org.
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About the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. Since 1990, the District has protected more than 106,000 acres. Agricultural and open space lands have been protected through a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006. For more information, please visit www.sonomaopenspace.org.
About the University of California Cooperative Extension
The UC Cooperative Extension is a vast network of UC researchers and educators who work together to develop and provide science-based information to solve locally-relevant economic, agricultural, natural resource, youth development and nutrition issues. Nestled within the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, our CE advisors live and work in every California county, applying research from the University of California to help local businesses and entire communities thrive. In turn, our experts partner with local innovators to develop and disseminate best practices through UC’s expansive local and global networks. www.cesonoma.ucanr.edu