Compost: Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change

June 16, 2021, 11:00 am- 12:oo am PST, Zoom Webinar

Composting can be a critical component in addressing global climate change.  This webinar will cover the carbon cycle as it relates to composting organic wastes, and the sequestration of carbon in soils when finished compost is applied back to the land.  The webinar will discuss factors that affect the ability of soils to sequester carbon from composts, as well as some potential carbon debits, such as methane and nitrous oxide emissions, that may need to be controlled.  Finally, the webinar will briefly discuss some of the existing models for estimating greenhouse gas debits and credits from the composting process and from compost use. Advance registration required.

The Nitty Gritty on California Soils, 2021 CFDN Meeting Series

June 16, 2021, 11:00 am- 12:30 am

The California Farm Demonstration Network is hosting a four-part series on California soils. This series will feature four speakers, each with extensive knowledge of California soils through the lens of farming and agriculture. Speakers will be covering various topics, including composting, orchard recycling, soil sampling, testing for microbial dynamics, and more.

Carbon Farm Planning Training

Self-guided online modules and 4 webinars on Tuesdays starting June 1, 2021 9:00-11:30 am

Please note that all 4 days are needed to complete the training

This carbon farm planning training offered by CRARS and the Carbon Cycle Institute is for technical service providers & planners interested in carbon farm planning. Participants will complete the online Carbon Farm Planning Curriculum, containing three modules. A webinar will follow the completion of each self guided module and associated task. This training, paired with the online curriculum, serves as a starting point for Carbon Farm Planning, in which the planner is encouraged to engage with the producer and the landscape to develop a comprehensive, carbon-focused, living plan that will evolve over time. Space is limited. Learn more and register now!

Soil Health Workshop: Cover Crops, Carbon & Drought for Growers & Partners

Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 9:30-11:30 am

Learn about cover crops, compost, mulching, whole orchard recycling and nutrient management at two different orchards in Glenn County, CA. Sponsored by CRARS, Glenn County RCD, CDFA Healthy Soils Program, California Olive Ranch, Carbon Cycle Institute, and Patagonia. Space is limited (breakfast is provided). Please reserve your space by contacting Jared Geiser at jared@glenncountryrcd.org or 530-965-1325.

Grazing for Soil Health & Productivity Workshop

Saturday, May 22, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, Circle Ranch, Ione, CA

Join the Amador RCD and Spencer Smith, accredited Savory Institute Field Professional and Modoc County rancher, in a day-long workshop examining the ways in which grazing management can be used as a tool for increasing productivity, profitability, and ecosystem health. The workshop will be held at Circle Ranch in Ione, CA. Following the workshop, participants interested in seeing holistic management applications in different contexts may follow along for two additional days of site visits at ranches in the region. Space is limited. Please register ahead.

Fava Bean Field Day

Friday, May 7, 2021, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm

Hear from researchers, growers, and students on the latest research on using fava beans as both a cover and cash crop. Learn about alley cropping in orchards and how to work with challenges. You’ll also learn more about the proportion to use in cover crop mixes and a variety of related ideas including fava bean cooking recipes. Scan the QR code or click this text box to register.

Sacred Ground: What we can do for healthy soil and a healthy planet

April 22, 7:00- 8:30 pm, PST, via Zoom

Our Center co-founder Tim LaSalle will be presenting at this public event sponsored by SLO Permaculture.How we manage our lands and grow our foods can heal the planet. Learn about the role of regenerative agriculture, what we can do in our own backyards, and how we can expand healthy soils to sequester even more carbon. Please register ahead.

Mark Arax, Author of the Dreamt Land

Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST, Virtual on Zoom

California author and journalist Mark Arax will be discussing his latest book “The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California” at a free Zoom event sponsored by Stanislaus State Council for Sustainable Futures. Free but necessary to get tickets in advance.

EcoFarm’s Dirt First Conversation Series: Mechanized No-Till Organic Vegetable Experimental Collaborative / Year 2 Report

Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 12-1:30pm PST, Virtual on Zoom

Moderated by CRARS director Cindy Daley and Pam Krone of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. This event features three of our mentor farms (Phil Foster Ranches, Full Belly Farm, and Park Farming Organics) reporting on their two years’ of research in commercial-scale, no-till organic vegetable production under Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)-supported field experimentation. We’ll also hear from Tom Willey about research on the Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio's influence on the long-term fate of carbon in farm soils. Registration required.

Prescribed Fire for Working Landscapes Workshop and Field Days

Prescribed Fire Basics (Webinar) – March 30, 5-6:30pm

Burn Preparation Field Day – March 31 (Session 1: 8:30am-12:00pm) (Session 2: 12:30-4:00pm)

UCCE Placer-Nevada and Central Sierra, along with the Placer Resource Conservation District, are hosting a workshop and field days on using prescribed fire on working rangelands and forestlands. This multi-session, hands-on workshop will focus on landowner-led efforts to reintroduce good fire into working ranchland and timber land. The workshop will include virtual classroom presentations, a hands-on burn preparation field day, and participation in a broadcast burn (weather permitting). Class size is limited, please register early.

This Way to Sustainability: Resilience from the Ground Up: Strengthening Diversity in Soil, Communities and Economies

March 25-26, 2021

TWTS is a nationally recognized, student-run conference focusing on challenges, ideas, solutions and resiliency in planning our sustainable future. The conference hosts 1400 participants each year with a variety of respected professionals speaking on the many aspects of sustainability. The goal of the conference is to educate students, staff and faculty, and community members; providing attendees an opportunity to network, discuss, and become more aware of pertinent environmental and social issues we all face. 

Direct Hire Webinar with NRCS SPSD

Thursday, March 25, 2021, 2:00 pm-3:15 pm Eastern Standard Time

The NRCS Soil and Plant Sciences Division (SPSD) is excited to announce that as many as 40 Direct Hire GS-5/7/9 Soil Scientist positions are open for applications until July 15, 2021. During this upcoming webinar, staff will be discussing third party internships, fellowships for university faculty, and necessary qualifications for our positions. It will be a one-hour presentation with fifteen minutes for questions.

Vitidore Perennial Grass Field Trial Field Days

Mondays, March 15, 22 & 29, 2021 starting at 9:00 AM

UC Davis is in the second year of a three-year research trial to study the benefits of a new Vitidore patented hybrid perennial grass as a cover crop for wine and nut farming. The grass only grows only in winter and spring so its growth cycle could be an excellent complement to permanent crop systems because it doesn't compete for water or nutrients during the spring-summer growing season. It would also provide the benefits of cover crops (soil protection, soil health) that are normally expected and only needs mowing once a year. Growers, researchers, and industry representatives are invited to come to the Oakville, CA research station to see the trials in person. Outdoor events with small groups only will be held on three Mondays, 3/15, 3/22 & 3/29 starting @ 9 AM. Please contact John Knutson (john@vitidore.com) or Alyssa DeVincentis (alyssa@vitidore.com) to plan a date to come.

Soil Regen Summit 2021

Monday-Thursday, March 15-18, 2021

With 15 keynote speakers you’ll be able to learn about a regenerative approach that works for you. The event will cover techniques that are applicable to farming, ranching, market gardening and eco-system restoration on any scale. Break-out sessions will be available to interact with the speakers and go further in depth. This event and all content is free but donations are being collected to support UK-based charity, Tiyeni, that has trained over 17,000 farmers in Malawi, Africa on regenerative/conservation agriculture.

UCCE Virtual Lambing School

Friday-Monday, March 13-15, 2021

Join UC Davis Sheep and Goat Extension Veterinarian Dr. Rosie Busch, and shepherds Alison Smith (UC Hopland Research and Extension Center) and Dan Macon (UCCE/Flying Mule Sheep Company) for an in-depth, real-time look at barn and pasture lambing systems. Over the course of three days, get real-time information about managing lambing systems, including lambing problems, lamb/ewe nutrition, record-keeping, and lamb survival. Limited to 20 participants. Four 60-90 minute sessions. Be sure to register ahead!

Cover Crops, Soil Health and Nitrogen Cycling with A/R Regulatory Implications

Friday, March 12, 2021, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, online

Hosted by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This webinar will include a long term study of soil health that includes cover crops and compost and how cover crops cycle nitrogen. It will also include information on how cover crops are being considered in terms of Applied N minus Removed N in the new Central Coast Region Ag Order 4.0, some of the challenges of applying cover crops in rotational production and the reason that JSM Organics uses cover crops on all their fields.  Subtext in Spanish will be available on Zoom. 

4th Annual: Virtual Soil Health Symposium

Thursday and Friday, March 11-12, 2021, 8:30 am- 12:00 pm

Sign up now for the Vineyard Soil Health Symposium held virtually on March 11-12, 2021 by the North Coast Soil Hub. The event will bring together growers, vineyard managers, scientists, agency representatives, and others to provide an overview of vineyard soil health and potential climate change impacts and to discuss cutting-edge practices and the latest data from the field. Registration is free and open to the public.

Cover Crops, Soil Health and Nitrogen Cycling with A/R Regulatory Implications

Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 6:00-7:30 pm, online

Hosted by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This webinar will include a long term study of soil health that includes cover crops and compost and how cover crops cycle nitrogen. It will also include information on how cover crops are being considered in terms of Applied N minus Removed N in the new Central Coast Region Ag Order 4.0, some of the challenges of applying cover crops in rotational production and the reason that JSM Organics uses cover crops on all their fields.  Subtext in Spanish will be available on Zoom. 

1st Annual Soil  Health Innovations Conference

Monday and Tuesday, March 8 & 9, 2021, online

Sponsored by NCAT ATTRA, this conference promises a far-reaching exploration of agriculture’s sustainable future: on-farm practices, soil biology, carbon markets, and public policy. There will be live, interactive presentations, networking opportunities, and a chance to immerse yourself in learning about cutting edge soil-health practices and technology with other producers, industry professionals, educators, and students. Speakers include the director of CRARS, Cindy Daley.

Building Habitat on Working Landscapes Webinar

Thursday, March 4, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am PST

In this webinar, Mace Vaughan, Xerces Pollinator Program Co-Director, will share whole-farm conservation planning approaches to enhance pollinator and other wildlife habitat on farms, ranches and working forests. Register in advance.

2021 Northeast Cover Crops Council Virtual Conference

Thursday, March 4, 2021, 9:00 am-5:00 pm EST

Join your fellow cover crop enthusiasts for a day of interactive online presentations, posters, panels, and training sessions. This annual conference is an opportunity for farmers, researchers, and the general public to connect and exchange information and inspiration.

Pathways to Decarbonization: How we can get from here to there 

Thursday, February 25, 2021, 4:00 - 5:30 pm PST

Come hear inspiring MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient and serial entrepreneur Saul Griffith explain the concepts, practices, and political challenges of taking carbon out of our energy resources. Hosted by Environmental Forum of Marin and Marin Conservation League.

Healthy Soils for Sustainable Cotton Farmer Showcase, Improving Soil Health in a Dry Climate: Spotlight on California

Tuesday, February 23, 11 am PST

This virtual showcase will center around the challenges posed by managing water and improving soil health in California’s Mediterranean climate where most of the rain comes during the winter.  Dr. Jeff Mitchell, Cropping Specialist with the University of California, Davis, will lead a discussion with several cotton producers in the San Joaquin Valley who are using cover crops and compost to help. Mr. John Teixeira, Firebaugh, CA raises organic cotton and understands the challenges that this poses in managing cover crops.  Mr. Gary Martin, Mendota, CA, has benefited from use of soil amendments like poultry litter and compost to improve his soil health. Mr. Cary Crum, Madera, CA, a private crop consultant, has worked with silage growers in California to include cover crops and no-till to improve soil health. Register ahead!

CDFA discussions to help find climate change solutions in agriculture

Row and field crops (annuals): February 16 & 19

Trees and vines (perennials): February 23 & 26

These stakeholder meetings are for gathering feedback on farmer- and rancher-led climate solutions that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases, and enhance biodiversity.

What is Regenerative Agriculture and How Can It Help Fight Climate Change? A Conversation with Daniela Ibarra-Howell of Savory Institute

Wednesday, February 10, 12:00 pm EST (9:00 am PST)

Join Heifer International President and CEO Pierre Ferrari and CEO of Savory Institute Daniela Ibarra-Howell for a live conversation on how regenerative agriculture can play an important role in feeding the world, while cooling the planet. Long targeted as a significant source of carbon emissions, agriculture is also the source of food and income for billions of people around the world. Regenerative agriculture, however, focuses on restoring and enriching the land, while sequestering carbon. In 2021, Heifer USA’s 1,200 acre working ranch in Arkansas, will become a Savory Institute Hub—a holistic management training, learning and demonstration site.

Managing Cover Crops in Annual Cropping Systems Webinar

Wednesday, February 10, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PST

UC Farm Advisor Sarah Light, the Agronomy Advisor for Sutter, Yuba, and Colusa counties, will be leading this free event. Her Extension program includes research on agronomic considerations for incorporating cover crops into annual rotations and demonstration plots of different cover crop varieties. She also serves as chair of the Southwest Regional Committee of the Western Cover Crop Council. 

Spreading Compost on Rangelands: Preparing for and executing carbon farm projects

Tuesday, February 9 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm PST

Join the Alameda County Resource Conservation District and its partners for a discussion about spreading compost on rangelands. This event will look at costs, compost quality, and lessons learned from demonstration carbon farming projects. You will hear from ranchers about their experiences applying compost through CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program Demonstration and Incentives projects.

Building More Resilient Food Systems with Julia Child Award Recipient Danielle Nierenberg

January 27, 2021 from 12:00 pm, EST

Join Heifer International President and CEO Pierre Ferrari and Danielle Nierenberg as they discuss the challenges and opportunities for building more resilient food systems beyond COVID-19. As the co-founder of Food Tank, Danielle Nierenberg is a leading advocate for environmentally and economically sustainable food and farming systems in the U.S. and around the world. She was recently presented with the 2020 Julia Child Award by the Julia Child Foundation for her work to make global food systems more equitable.

Rangeland Summit 2021: Hi and Lo Tech on Rangelands Supporting Ecosystem Services

January 26-29, 2021 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm.

Topics include: the benefits of compost application by Alicia Herrera (Point Blue), COMET-Planner for GHG benefit quantification by Adam Chambers (NRCS), the Conservation Stewardship Program by Carlos Suarez (NRCS), and lots more. 

CIG reduced disturbance vegetable project's 'soils group'

Friday, January 22nd at 3:00 PM via ZOOM

Participants should be thinking of the exact sorts of routine monitoring (soil, cover crop, compost, crop) that will be needed to implemented at all sites during the coming two years. Invitation only, no link available.

Eco-Farm Conference

January 20-23, 2021, (Pre-conference events start Jan. 13)

Register now for this year's online Eco-Farm Conference! It will feature inspiring keynotes, educational workshops, skill-building pre-conferences, extensive networking, a virtual trade show and more, all based on its farmer-to-farmer education model.

On-Farm Economics Webinar

Tuesday, January 19 from 9:00 am – 10 am PST

 The Soil Science Society of America in partnership with the Soil Health Institute is offering a free webinar on assessing soil health called “On-Farm Economics” on Tuesday, January 19 from 9:00 am – 10 am PST. The Institute will present an evaluation of the economics of adopting Soil Health Management Systems developed from 125 interviews with farmers and accounting for changes in management. CEU units are available for CCAs, CPAgs, CPSSs and CPSCs. 

Regenerating Landscapes for Community and Climate Resilience: The soil sponge as essential infrastructure

December 28 to January 1, Meeting daily Monday-Friday 9:30-11 AM EST

This week-long intensive course is led by Didi Pershouse, Founder of the Land and Leadership Initiative, and author of The Ecology of Care. Learn how to dramatically reduce the risk and impact of extreme weather events, rebuild local economies, and restore health and immunity for all living things...by working with (not against) nature's own processes. You will gain

• a working knowledge of whole systems landscape function
• an increased ability to evaluate land management decisions, practices, and policies.
• tools to create and lead soil health initiatives in your region
• A community of practice: deep discussions with people working towards similar aims.

Sacramento Valley Pest Management - Virtual Webinar

Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9:00-12:00 am PST

Topics include "Weeds in Rice Research Update" with Whitney Brim-DeForest, UCCE Rice & Wild Rice Advisor; "Rice Pest Management Update" with Luis Espino, UCCE Rice Farming Systems Advisor; "Integrated Pest Management of Processing Tomatoes" with Amber Vinchesi-Vahl, UCCE Vegetable Crops Advisor; "Field Crop Pest Management Update" with Sarah Light, UCCE Agronomy Advisor; and "Regulatory Update" with Scott Bowden, Dep. Ag Commissioner, Sutter County. Registration Fee $25. Register in advance.  

UCCE-UC IPM Biologics Educational Webinar Series

Nov. 18, Dec. 3 and Dec. 9 from 3:00-4:00 pm PST

UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors Rachael Long and Zheng Wang are collaborating with UC IPM to host a series of four 1-hour educational webinars on the use of biostimulants and plant growth regulators in crop production, with a focus on vegetable and field crops. Both types of biologics are increasingly used in regulating crop growth and development but also bring discussions on their definition, regulation, and efficacy in field situations. The free webinars are designed for the agricultural community including growers, researchers, crop consultants, pest control advisors, and others in the industry. Please register in advance.