Santa Barbara News
Panel Discussions Focus on Local Consumption
Jan. 2012. The year-long Farm to Fork series came to a successful conclusion on January 25 and 26 with panel discussions at the Santa Maria and Santa Barbara public libraries. This fourth installment of Farm to Fork series, entitled Closing the Loop, focused on the role of consumers in supporting local farmers, ranchers and other producers. Panelists included Gerri French, Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator at Sansum Medical Clinic; Melissa Gomez, Manager at Goodland Kitchen; Jaime Herrera, Executive Chef at UCSB Dining Commons; Liz Powell, Director of Food Services at Santa Maria Bonita School District; and Clark Staub, Owner at Full of Life Flatbread.
Bus Tour Success
Sept. 2011 The Santa Barbara Ag Futures Alliance (SBAFA) has now completed parts 1-3 of the four-part Farm to Fork series aimed at raising awareness countywide about local agricultural resources. SBAFA’s latest excursion took them to Betteravia Farms’ large cooling and storage warehouse, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Los Adobes de Maria farmworker housing complex, and one of the nation’s largest greenhouse operations, Windset Farms, all in the city of Santa Maria. Over 30 participants attended the September bus tour, including a staff member for Congresswoman Lois Capps and two representatives of the local County Board of Supervisors. All participants walked away with a broader understanding of some of the farming and farm related practices taking place in their own backyards. A photo slide show of the event can be seen on Facebook.
Bridging Differences
June 2011 The Santa Barbara Ag Futures Alliance is highlighted in the latest edition of the Central Coast Farm & Ranch magazine. In a piece entitled Bridging Differences, the article discusses the success of multi-stakeholder collaboration in the Santa Barbara AFA. Click to download the article (pdf).
Why Ag Matters
As part of the formation process for the Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance, members were asked to list five reasons why agriculture matters in Santa Barbara County. Jim Poett, 5th-generation Santa Barbara cattle rancher wrote this eloquent appeal for the long-term value of ag to the county.
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