California Food System Alliance Network
The Alliances are county-based collaborations among food system leaders in in the community. The Alliance network includes both Food System Alliances (FSAs) and Ag Futures Alliances (AFAs), and are currently functioning in 8 California counties- Sonoma, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Yolo, Fresno, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Deigo Counties. The first AFA was started in 2000 in Ventura County, California when leaders in the farming community decided to engage farming critics in process of sharing views, trust-building, and ultimately identification of common ground.
The Ag Futures Alliance is a multi-stakeholder collaboration between farmers, ranchers, farm-workers, conservationists, and civic leaders in the county who share a desire to build a vibrant, healthy, and durable food system. In 2006, the Alliance concept expanded to include public health, food security advocates, chefs, school garden programs, and consumers, becoming the Food System Alliance.
Ag Innovations Network (AIN) is proud to be the sponsor and facilitator of the Alliance project. Our goal is to create a network of Alliances across the state of California that ultimately can link efforts to more effectively improve local, state and federal policies that impact agriculture, the food system, and the environment.
Alliance News
Agricultural Buffer Zone Ordinance Approved in Santa Barbara County
Apr. 2013. The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Buffer Ordinance, initially drafted by SBAFA, was unanimously adopted by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.
Read More »Sonoma County Healthy & Sustainable Food Action Plan
The Sonoma County Healthy and Sustainable Food Action Plan, a project of the SCFSA, is poised to be a huge success.
Read More »RFP Release for San Mateo County Ag Ombudsman
May 2013 San Mateo County has released an RFP for an agricultural ombudsman position for the County, which will be overseen by the Ag Commissioner’s office. The need for an agricultural ombudsman was clearly expressed during the San Mateo County Ag Workshop held in November, 2012 which was co-sponsored by Supervisor Don Horsley and the San Mateo Food System Alliance (SMFSA).
Read More »Yolo/Solano “Farmbudsman” article highlighting Michelle Stephens hire
May 2013 After over a year of collaborating and advocating for the position, the YAFA & Solano partners welcome their new “Farmbudsman”.
Read More »Fresno FSA’s Farm-to-School Committee Members Feautred on NPR Valley Public Radio
April 2013 FFSA Farm-to-School Committee members, Pao Saephan and Jose Alvarado, were featured on NPR Valley Public Radio on April, 2nd.
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