Resources
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- Alliance Resources
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- Ag Innovations Network Publications
- Alliance Publications: Santa Barbara
- Alliance Publications: San Mateo
- Alliance Publications: Sonoma
- Alliance Publications: Ventura
- Alliance Publications: Yolo
- Roundtable Publications: CRAE
- Roundtable Publications: CRWFS
- Other Project Publications
- General Resources
- Web Links
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Alliance Resources
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Introductory Presentation
To learn more about bringing an Alliance to your county, please see our introductory presentation.
Download: Introductory Presentation -
Starting an Alliance Frequently Asked Questions
If you are interested in bringing an Alliance to your county, please review our frequently asked questions document.
Download: Starting an Alliance: Frequently Asked Questions -
Building Food System Alliances
This presentation on how to create Food System Alliances was given by AIN at the 2008 Slow Food Nation conference.
Download: Building Food System Alliances
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Publications
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Ag Innovations Network Publications
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2010 Annual Report
This first-ever annual report highlights our 2010 accomplishments and the significant growth of our programs and organizations.
Download: 2010 AIN Annual Report
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Alliance Publications: Santa Barbara
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Santa Barbara Ag Land Buffer FAQs
Mar. 2010. In conjunction with the recommended ag land buffer ordinance, the Santa Barbara AFA developed a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document.
Download: Ag Land Buffer FAQs, Mar. 2010 -
Recommended Ag Land Buffer Ordinance
Mar. 2010. SBAFA released a proposal for a county ordinance to provide for land buffers around agricultural operations. In development for over 12 months, the proposal represents a historic balancing of interests and needs between the County’s agricultural and environmental interests.
Download: Recommended Ag Land Buffer Ordinance, Mar. 2010
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Alliance Publications: San Mateo
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Call-to-Action: A Garden in Every School
Nov. 2010. The San Mateo FSA recently published a Garden-Based Learning Call-to-Action urging their community to join them in their goal to establish a garden in every school. Garden-based learning (GBL) uses the garden as an outdoor classroom to provide integrated learning experiences, in and across disciplines, through active, engaging real-world experiences that bring abstract concepts to life. Many educators use gardens to enhance learning in core subjects such as science, math and social studies, as well as promote nutrition, environmental stewardship, and create awareness around where our food comes from. Sixty-three percent of public elementary schools in San Mateo have gardens. Click on the school garden map to find a project near you. The San Mateo County Food System Alliance encourages you to start or maintain a school garden in your community. Please visit their Call to Action: A Garden In Every School and share it widely with teachers, parents, youth, school administrators, and others interested in school gardens.For more information, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Download: Call-to-Action: A Garden in Every School, Nov. 2010
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Alliance Publications: Sonoma
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Sonoma County Food Forum Report
Aug. 2011. The Sonoma County Food Forum: Report to the Community is the result of the ideas and conversations of the 300 community members who gathered in February 2011 to envision the future of their county’s food system. The report and recommendations were formally accepted by the Board of Supervisors in August 2011. Download the press release (pdf) announcing the release of the report.
Download: Report to the Community, Aug. 2011 -
School Food Service Produce Survey
Aug. 2011. The Farm-to-Institution Committee of the Sonoma County FSA released the School Food Service Produce report on August 8. The document reports the results of a survey of Sonoma County school food service leaders, and indicates that 84% of schools are interested in purchasing local produce directly from a grower or from their distributor. While cost was cited as the biggest barrier to purchasing local produce for school lunches, there is enthusiasm among both food service departments and their parent/student population for seasonal fruits and veggies on the menu.
Download: School Food Service Produce Survey, Aug. 2011 -
Sonoma County Community Food System Assessment
Jul. 2011. One of the first actions of the Sonoma County Food System Alliance was to recognize the need for a comprehensive review of the local food system. The Assessment Committee conducted research and interviews to write and compile this roadmap to a healthier, more profitable and sustainable local food system.
Download: Sonoma County Community Food System Assessment, Jul. 2011
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Alliance Publications: Ventura
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Ag Land Use Choices
Nov. 2009. This report provides a comprehensive examination of three types of common agricultural practice in Ventura County. The document provides a factual and balanced review of the trade-offs between various agricultural systems. It is designed for the general public and government decision-makers to aid in informed decision making.
Download: The Impact of Agricultural Practices, Nov. 2009 -
Health Care Access for Farm Workers
Jan. 2008. Access to health care is a societal problem, and over six million Californians lack health insurance. But farm workers are an especially vulnerable population. The AFA recognized that farm worker access to health care is critical to the viability of agriculture in Ventura County as well as to the workers themselves, their families, and their employers. This paper looks at a comprehensive local solution for farm worker health care access and outlines practical steps forward.
Download: Ag Worker Health Access, Jan. 2008 -
Summit on Stewardship I
Jul. 2006. The Action on Stewardship report was followed up with a county-wide Summit on Stewardship held in March of 2006. The summit gathered hundreds of participants to engage in the Stewardship paper and to commit to future action. Click below to download the smaller file without appendices.
Download: Building a Community of Good Stewards, Jul. 2006 (small file) -
Summit on Stewardship II
Jul. 2006. Click below to download the large file with a full set of appendices.
Download: Building a Community of Good Stewards, Jul. 2006 (large file) -
A Community of Good Stewards
Jan. 2005. In this paper, the Ventura AFA addressed the need for a new definition of land stewardship that recognized the role of all members in the community in creating a healthy food system. The product of almost two years of dialogue, this document offers a new agricultural ethic for Ventura County, one based on shared responsibility for the challenge of creating a sustainable food systems. This document proposes principles and practices for farmers, consumers, and policy makers as they grapple with the challenge of maintaining and enhancing agriculture in perpetuity.
Download: A Community of Good Stewards, Jan. 2005 -
Action on Land Use Policy II
Feb. 2006. This paper reflects almost two years of dialogue within Ventura County. The Land Use Committee of the AFA worked with city and county planners and policy makers to review and discuss the land use principles first proposed in the 2003 Issue Paper on Land Use Policy. The goal was to ascertain current adherence to the principles and to clarify what further action and specific policies are needed in order to ensure land use policy supports continued existence of agriculture.
Download: Update to Land Use Principles, Feb. 2006 -
Action on Land Use Policy I
Sept. 2003. Faced with the need for better land use policy, the Ventura AFA developed a set of principles which can guide the county and cities as they seek to ensure that agriculture is sustained in the region.
Download: Land Use Principles, Sept. 2003 -
Farm Worker Housing
Jun. 2002. In this second issue paper, the Ventura AFA developed a consensus position on the need for farm worker housing. The document recommends policies and actions, and has led to a sustained effort to organize a broad community of interest in support of housing construction, which continues to build momentum.
Download: Farm Worker Housing, Jun. 2002 -
Pesticides and Farming Near Schools
Feb. 2002. In the Ventura AFA’s first year, a pesticide drift incident occurred at Mound School, near the Alliance meeting site. The incident led to creation of the first committee and the writing and publication of the first AFA issue paper. This paper clarifies a consensus position, recommending local policy, systems, and actions to protect the community from accidents associated with pesticide use near schools.
Download: Farming Near Schools, Feb. 2002.
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Alliance Publications: Yolo
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Vision for Agriculture in Yolo County
Mar. 2007. This document summarizes almost a year’s worth of work developing a simple, but compelling vision for the future of agriculture in Yolo County. A broad vision statement is coupled with policy recommendations that would put agriculture in the County on a positive path for generations to come.
Download: Yolo County AFA Vision for Agriculture in the County, Mar. 2007 -
Ag Conservation Easement Ordinance Recommendation
Nov. 2006. The Yolo AFA developed a detailed set of recommendations for the County of Yolo on how to create Ag Land Conservation Easements that would support the long-term viability of agriculture in the County. This letter to County Planning staff captures those recommendations.
Download: Recommendations on Ag Land Conservation Easement Ordinance, Nov. 2006 -
Ag Land Mitigation Principles
Oct. 2006. Mitigation for loss of habitat or agricultural land can be a boon or a burden for a sustainable agricultural community. The Yolo AFA spent nine months developing these principles to best guide mitigation programs in the County. This thinking and work can be applied wherever mitigation programs are in place or are being designed.
Download: Ag Land Mitigation Principles, Oct. 2006 -
Ag Economic Development Recommendations
Nov. 2008. The Yolo AFA worked consistently throughout the year to see that its recommended measures to support agricultural economic development efforts were adopted in the update of the county’s General Plan.
Download: Yolo County AFA General Plan Recommendations, Nov. 2008 -
Preserving farmland and agriculture countywide
Dec. 2007. In this letter, the Yolo Ag and Food Alliance called on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors to consider taking action to protect farmland across the county.
Download: Recommendations on Agricultural Districts Policy, Dec. 2007 -
Yolo Regional Food Forum
Feb. 2011. The Yolo Ag Futures Alliance hosted a Regional Food Forum in July 2010 to assess the challenges and barriers to building a strong regional food infrastructure. More than 65 participants, comprising 40 farmers/ranchers and 25 ag support representatives from Yolo and Solano Counties, gathered to recommend specific actions towards enhancing the local economy and viability of regional agriculture. Attendees included the Yolo Ag Commissioner, Cooperative Extension, Economic Development, bankers, distributors, a farmer’s market manager and the Health Department. You may download Shermain Hardesty’s Regional Food System Economics presentation (pdf). In Feb. 2011, the report detailing the forum’s goals, processes and outcomes was published.
Download: Yolo Regional Food Forum Report, Feb. 2011
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Roundtable Publications: CRAE
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Ecosystem Services Guidelines
Nov. 2012. CRAE’s Guidelines for Creating Effective Ecosystem Services Incentive Programs and Policy are a product of collaboration among agricultural and conservation groups, technical support agencies, and state agencies and synthesize best practices gleaned from the broad experience of this group with the intention of supporting evolving efforts to develop conservation incentives that are as successful and responsive to a broad range of needs as possible.
Download: Ecosystem Services Guidelines, Nov. 2012 -
Permitting Restoration Case Studies
Dec. 2010. Ag Innovations Network compiled a short series of case studies to illustrate challenges faced by proponents of environmental restoration projects, as well as efforts that have been successful in minimizing these barriers. These case studies are intended to provide concrete examples of the regulatory hurdles outlined in the CRAE paper, Permitting Restoration: Helping Agricultural Land Stewards Succeed in Meeting California Regulatory Requirements for Environmental Restoration Projects. The case studies also include examples of effective collaboration among agencies and other stakeholders, highlighting positive models that have, in these cases, minimized one or more of the barriers addressed in this paper. The case studies have not been evaluated or approved by the CRAE consensus process. In order to provide a more complete picture of the featured projects, the case studies may reference barriers that extend beyond the scope of the CRAE white paper.
1. Apanolio Creek Fish Passage Project, Central Coast of California
2. Frenchmans Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project, Central Coast of California
3. Santa Cruz Partners in Restoration Permit Coordination Program
4. Enhanced Stock Pond Restoration through the Alameda County Permit Coordination Program -
Permitting Restoration
Dec. 2010. CRAE members reached consensus on a set of recommendations to facilitate the permitting processes for on-farm environmental restoration projects. These recommendations are spelled out in the CRAE report, Permitting Restoration: Helping Agricultural Land Stewards Succeed in Meeting California Regulatory Requirements for Environmental Restoration Projects. If adopted, these proposals would increase opportunities to provide enhanced wildlife habitat, air and water quality, soil health, and other public benefits. The CRAE white paper, the product of deep deliberation, represents a meaningful collaboration of diverse stakeholders on this challenging issue. You may download the media release (pdf) here. Capital Press published a Jan. 6 article (pdf) on the paper.
Download: Permitting Restoration, Dec. 2010 -
CRAE Climate Priniciples
Jul. 2010. CRAE member organizations crafted a set of climate principles to guide the formulation of potential national climate policy that gives agricultural producers a fair opportunity to participate in a carbon offsets program, conservation programs, and other performance-based incentive mechanisms. CRAE members hope that this policy can provide resources for the research, development, and implementation of practices that will help producers increase their resilience to climate change and be effective climate stewards. A related media release (pdf) was issued on Monday, July 12.
Download: CRAE Climate Principles, Jul. 2010
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Roundtable Publications: CRWFS
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From Storage to Retention
Nov. 2012. Building on previous agricultural water stewardship work, From Storage to Retention: Expanding California’s Options for Meeting Its Water Needs argues for an expansion of approaches to storing water that increase supply reliability for specialty crop agricultural production and other beneficial uses while protecting ecosystem health.
Download: From Storage to Retention, Nov. 2012 -
Agricultural Water Stewardship Recommendations
Jun. 2011. The California Roundtable on Water and Food Supply released a set of recommendations to shift thinking and spur action to balance the water needs of both farms and the broader environment. Based on the concept of water stewardship, the group has called for water management approaches to be grounded in local environmental and socio-economic conditions and for efforts to optimize on-farm use while serving needs in the broader watershed. To advance this framework, the Roundtable has issued specific recommendations for state agencies, water suppliers, local water management groups, the agricultural community, and the research community. Download the media release (pdf).
Download: Agricultural Water Stewardship Recommendations, Jun. 2011
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Other Project Publications
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San Diego County Food System Assessment
Dec. 2010. Assessing the San Diego County Food System: Indicators for a More Food Secure Future was produced by the San Diego County Food System Working Group, with the technical support and facilitation of Ag Innovations Network.
Download: Indicators for a More Food Secure Future, Dec. 2010
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General Resources
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UCD Report on CSA in CA
2011. The Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis developed this report to present a comprehensive portrait of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in California’s Central Valley, including farm and farmer characteristics, farm-member relationships, economic viability, and information sources and farmers’ advice for starting CSA farmers.
Download: CSA in and around California's Central Valley, Aug. 2011 -
Introduction to Food System Coalitions
2011. On June 8, 2011, Joseph McIntyre made this presentation to a coalition of anti-hunger, nutrition, agricultural, and environmental organizations in San Luis Obispo County.
Download: Introduction to Food System Coalitions -
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
2008. Presentation given by AIN on multi-stakeholder collaboration at the 2008 Sustainable Enterprise Conference.
Download: Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Presentation -
Sustainable Ag Definitions
A helpful list of definitions of sustainable agriculture complied from a variety of sources by AIN staff.
Download: Sustainable Ag Definitions -
Greening the Food System Presentation
2008. Presentation given by AIN at the 2008 Great Valley Center conference on building strong and environmentally sound local food systems.
Download: Greening the Food System Presentation -
Healthy Beverage Sustainability Presentation
2011. Joseph McIntyre gave this presentation at the May 11 meeting of the Bay Area Nutrition & Physical Activity Collaborative (BANPAC) which was focused on Working Creatively in Tough Times.
Download: Supporting Organizational Change for Healthy Beverage Sustainability -
USDA Assessment of Natural Resources in the US
2011. In May 2011, the USDA released a new report on the state of ag natural resources in the country. See the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s overview, which includes a link to the report.
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Web Links
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AIN Partner Organizations
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California Ag Water Stewardship Initiative
Water availability will be one of the most prominent forces shaping the future of agriculture in California. California agriculture has a great opportunity at this time to innovate new solutions, demonstrate leadership towards achieving multiple benefits, and forge new partnerships to address these challenges. CAWSI is helping to facilitate this process.
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Sustainable Food Lab
Based in White River Junction in Vermont, the Sustainable Food Lab is a leader in working with major companies in the global food system to inspire and support implementation of sustainability initiatives. SFL has expertise in sustainable supply chains, climate change, and most importantly knowledge of the unique challenges faced by the largest companies in the food industry. AIN and SFL joined forces in 2008, and AIN now serves as the fiscal sponsor for SFL.
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Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops
The Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops is a multi-stakeholder initiative to develop a system for measuring sustainable performance throughout the specialty crop supply chain. The project seeks to offer a suite of outcomes-based metrics to enable operators at any point along the supply chain to benchmark, compare, and communicate their own performance.
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Tierra Miguel Foundation
Farm and public education project in San Diego County, California. AIN worked with Tierra Miguel to create a comprehensive food assessment and action plan for San Diego County.
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Roots of Change
Roots of Change has been the primary funder of AIN’s Alliance Project and the California Roundtable on Ag and the Environment. Through their convening of stakeholders, leadership in policy, and creation of a broad network of citizens interested in food system issues, they are leading the charge for a sustainable food system by 2030.
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American Farmland Trust
Organization dedicated to innovative ways to preserve agricultural land. AFT is the lead partner in the California Ag Vision 2030 project where Ag Innovations Network served as facilitator. One of the best resources for information on land use in California.
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Great Organizations
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People's Garden Initiative
This effort challenges USDA employees to establish People’s Gardens at USDA facilities worldwide or help communities create gardens.
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CoFED
Empowering communities of students across North America to create financially sustainable campus hubs for food and social justice activism.
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TRF Food Access
TRF builds wealth and opportunity for low-wealth people and places through the promotion of socially and environmentally responsible development.
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The Center for an Agricultural Economy
A Hardwick, VT based non-profit, the CAE focuses on supporting and guiding its region toward a sustainable, economical and ecological food system via community involvement, integrated and responsible agri-business, and a commitment to economic and nutritional health.
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Great Valley Center
Leading the effort to revitalize California’s Central Valley.
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Chef's Collaborative
National network that promote sustainable cuisine by celebrating the joys of local, seasonal, and artisanal cooking. -
UC Sustainable Ag Research & Eduction Program
Davis-based institute for research and education on sustainable agriculture. -
SARE: Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
USDA supported resource for information on sustainable ag practices. -
Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy
Resources on the global context and forces impacting ag sustainability. -
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
The oldest farming organization in California focused on issues of sustainability in agriculture. -
Leopold Center
Iowa State University's center for study of sustainable agriculture with emphasis on midwestern USA issues. -
Ecotrust
One of the organizations leading the movement towards a "conservation economy". -
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
A leader in the effort to promote sustainable local economies. -
Slow Food USA
Home of the Slow Food movement in the United States.
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Eco Labels & Certification
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The Food Alliance
One of the leading certification organizations for environmentally friendly and socially responsible agriculture products. -
Protected Harvest
A non-profit organization that certifies farmers' use of stringent environmental growing standards.
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Online Resources
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Nourish California
Designed to increase food literacy in schools by exploring the story of food from farm to table, this program provides California’s K-12 educators with free educational media and tools, including a DVD and companion curriculum guide.
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Agricultural Water Stewardship Online Resource Center
The center provides technical resources for farmers, describing key practices from environmentally sound water storage to recycling to efficiency measures.
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Food Systems Glossary
This is a work in progress at the University of Wisconsin.
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Contact Us: info@aginnovations.org or 707-823-6111