eNewsletter | September Edition
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In this month's edition:
- TEAM program field trips | sign-up today!
- Planting for Monarchs
- Fond farewell to Anya
- CA Family Farmer Emergency Fund
- Sonoma County Drought Survey
- Check out more ways to get involved with the RCD and community
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On-farm fall field trip calendar released! |
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TEAM (Teaching Environmental and Agricultural Memories) field trip program is a unique environmental education program offered to elementary youth county wide in partnership with the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (RCD). The content of the TEAM program incorporates the significant role that Sonoma County’s characteristic agricultural landscape plays in environmental stewardship. Funded by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space), the program invites elementary students to experience our diverse agricultural heritage of Sonoma County on a number of properties to learn about: the importance of maintaining bee populations for apple production, experience fresh picked blueberries on a sheep ranch and play with local fiber, what “CSA” truly means to our community, and how all life is connected to the health of our soils.
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Monarch butterfly habitat - milkweed planting guide |
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The monarch butterfly is an iconic species and easily recognizable with their bright orange and black patterned wings. During their annual migration from Canada through the western United States and south to Mexico they face numerous habitat and migratory challenges along the way. Planting for monarchs will support their journey and reproduction. "There are over 100 milkweed species that are native to North America, many of which are used by monarchs. Monarchs need nectar to provide energy as they breed, for their migratory journey, and to build reserves for the long winter," (Pollinator Partnership, 2022). Monarch and pollinator friendly gardens or hedgerows can be installed in your backyard or farm. The North Bay Monarch Working Group just completed its first free milkweed giveaway to local farms in Sonoma and Marin Counties, stay connected for more opportunities and helpful resources from your local RCDs and pollinator partners. Check out our Milkweed Planting Guide here for planting details and our Water Wise Pollinator Habitat Plants Chart for the Northern California Coast. Please note: milkweed should not be planted within at least 5 miles of the coast, as this disrupts monarchs’ natural migration patterns. Sign up to receive our newsletter or follow us on social media for the latest on monarch and pollinator resources and events. Thank you for supporting monarch and pollinator populations locally!
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We are saddened to see Anya depart, but wish her all the best on her next endeavor! Anya has been a Project Manager at the RCD for nine years. She has been instrumental in developing partnerships within the vineyard community, leading innovative soil health demonstration projects, working closely with post-fire landowners for community resiliency, and supporting producers with navigating permit requirements for watershed health. Her enthusiasm, creative thinking, resourcefulness, and zest for life will be greatly missed. Keep on running those trails Anya and thank your service to Sonoma County and dedication to conservation! |
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Sonoma County Drought Survey 2021-2022
Sonoma County
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The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures (AWM) is conducting an agricultural loss survey to determine the extent and nature of crop loss due to the drought conditions in Sonoma County during the 2021/2022 rainy season from October 2021 – April 2022. The results of this survey may lead to additional assistance being made available to Sonoma County producers. See the Sonoma County Drought Loss Survey for 2021-22 Raining Season / Crop Year here.
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CA Family Farmer Emergency Fund
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
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From wildfires to drought to global pandemics, farming is risky business. This is even more true for smaller family farms and those from BIPOC, immigrant, and disadvantaged communities. Despite being the heart of our local food systems, these community-scale entrepreneurs too often fall between the cracks of traditional safety nets and government aid. That’s where we come in. The California Family Farmer Emergency Fund offers direct financial support to small-scale farmers impacted by disaster with the aim of helping them weather the storm.
ELIGIBILITY
- Family farmers who are actively working the land, derive a portion of their income from their own farm business, and are involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm
- Farmers whose operations make a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $400,000 in gross sales annually
- Because of systems of historic oppression, the most vulnerable populations often bear the brunt of a crisis. For this reason, at least 50% of all grant funds will be awarded to farmers of color, immigrant farmers, and undocumented farmers.
- WILDFIRE: Applicants are restricted to the following 18 counties: Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Lake, Madera, Napa, Plumas, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity, Tulare, Yolo. Applicants may have experienced impacts anytime between 2020 and present day.
- DROUGHT: New well drilling is ineligible for funding. You are not eligible for this grant if you received a CDFA CUSP economic relief grant from CAFF, ABIRC, CCOF, or Peoples Land Stewardship Fund within the last 12 months.
HOW TO APPLY & TIMING OF FUNDS
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Workshops | Resources | News |
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Ecological Farming Practices | September 19th | 9am-4pm |
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Join us on September 19th, 9am to 4pm at the School of Adaptive Ag, for a FREE Ecological Farming Practices Workshop. This day will feature a tour of the School of Adaptive Agriculture at Ridgewood Ranch, presentations from the Mendocino Resource Conservation District, multiple sessions on compost, seed saving, carbon farm planning, regenerative grazing and more. Learn more and register here.
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These workshops will be a great opportunity to engage with your local farming community, connect with technical assistance providers, and learn about funding opportunities.
This workshop series is being put on by Conservation Works in partnership with the Community Alliance of Family Farmers (CAFF) with grant funding from the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). These workshops will give beginning, small and underserved producers the opportunity to engage with other farmers, ranchers, and technical assistance providers in a relaxed environment, ask questions regarding workshop topics, and connect with their regional farming network. Free light lunch and refreshments will be served at each event. Bilingual resources will also be available at each workshop.
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California Native Plants Sale and Open House
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation and Milo Baker Chapter of the CNPS
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California Native Plants Sale and Open House with Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS)
Saturday, October 8, 2022. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
FREE. Suggested donation $5 - $20. Please RSVP for this free event so that we can contact you if the open house is canceled due to excessive heat or smoke.
Planting season for California native plant gardens is here! Celebrate this autumnal change at the Laguna Environmental Center (LEC) while learning about California native plants. Shop for new additions to your garden from our nursery shared with the Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and join us in the LEC landscape, at 11:00 am or 12:00 pm, for a guided walk where we will share ways you can grow and support a native plant garden in your own backyard. Heron Hall will be open to visitors to see our new Heron Hall art exhibit: “Layers: Serenity, Survival, and Silence” by Sally Rapelye Briggs. We are proud to offer this event in collaboration with our local CNPS partners. Thank you for supporting our combined plant sale and open house, while nurturing local wildlife habitat in your own backyard.
Please Note: The gate will open promptly at 10:00 am, please do not come early. No dogs are allowed onsite (service dogs are ok). We do not allow animals to be left in vehicles, as shady parking spots are not available. If you buy plants, please bring your own box to take them home with you.
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Join Russian Riverkeeper on September 17th 2022 for their annual Russian River Watershed Cleanup Day. It’s a fun opportunity to gather together with friends and family to show the river some love. Help to remove the trash and plastic pollution that has been accumulating over the last year. Let’s see if we can do better than in 2019, when over 450 volunteers cleaned up 31,899 pounds of trash in a single day! The Sonoma RCD is a proud sponsor of this annual event.
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February 26 - March 2, 2023. Join the small farm community–from growers to market managers to local food advocates–for a week of learning, inspiration and movement building. CAFF is excited to bring back the new hybrid conference format featuring over 50 different online workshops, forums and videos as well as multiple in-person gatherings around the state. Stay tuned for more details!
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Mark your calendars! Saturday, October 1 LandPaths will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Bayer Farm at the Harvest Festival! Founded by LandPaths in 2007, in partnership with the City of Santa Rosa, Bayer Farm is the definition of a community hub. The Sonoma RCD is happy to sponsor and participate in this community celebration!
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Attend a technical workshop to receive the latest science-based information on how to best manage your soil, water and wildlife on
your property.
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With a tax deducible donation you can support conservation projects that protects water resources, improves soil health + restores habitat for endangered species.
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Sign up to receive our monthly newsletters and hear about innovative projects, read our newest publications, funding opportunities and upcoming events.
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Conservation at Work with LandSmart®
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