6th Annual North Coast Farmers Convergence

North Coast Opportunities is excited to once again bring the North Coast Farmers’ Convergence to Ridgewood Ranch on February 20th & 21st. The North Coast Farmers’ Convergence is a celebration of growing a resilient local food system and the vital profession of farming in Northern California.

In previous years, the Farmers’ Convergence has brought together over 150 local farmers, ranchers, retailers and advocates from Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Sonoma Counties for two days of networking, education and inspiration.

According to participants, successful outcomes of the day included forging successful connections that enhance our local economy, linking farmers with needed resources and new or renewed buyer contracts for food producers. The 6th Annual Farmers’ Convergence promises to build on the successes of the previous years with new workshops, speakers and additional intensive educational sessions. We have an amazing lineup … stay tuned!

• We’re pleased to announce this year’s keynote speakers: Gloria & Stephen Decatur of Live Power Farm. Founded in Round Valley in 1973, Live Power Community Farm is a 50-acre, solar electric and horse-powered, diversified, certified biodynamic farm. Four acres are devoted to an intensive vegetable garden hosting some 60 varieties of vegetables and herbs. Live Power’s animal husbandry includes draft horses, dairy and beef cows, feeder pigs, sheep, and laying hens.

• To stay up-to-date with this year’s Convergence, please also visit our Facebook event page

Tickets

• To encourage you to bring a friend, we’re offering a special ticket price this year – $20/person or $30 for 2 people! We hope this will encourage additional folk from the larger farming community and North Coast foodshed to come together for a day of networking, sharing skills and ideas.

• We also have a pay it forward option, where you can pay a little extra to support a farmer who can’t afford a ticket.

• Get your tickets today on Brown Paper Tickets- https://2018convergence.brownpapertickets.com/

What Past Participants Have to Say

• “I love getting all the ideas, and those little nuggets help launch me into the new ideas for the next season,” said Laytonville farmer Irene Engber of Irene’s Garden (of last year’s event).

• “Growing our local food system benefits not only farmers and local food producers, it benefits schools, restaurants, support organizations, and the overall local economy,” said Terre Logsdon, Lake County Farm to School Coordinator. “The North Coast Farmers Convergence is an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn from one another and gain access to resources, programs, and people they may not have known about. Our intent is to have everyone leave the event inspired and prepared for the upcoming growing season.”

• “I’ve referred to talks I heard at the last convergence multiple times throughout the year,” said Caroline Radice of Black Dog Farm. “It was worth every minute that I attended, and I can’t wait to go again this year.”

Sponsors

This year’s Farmers’ Convergence is made possible by our generous sponsors:

• Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op

• Surf Market

• Mendocino County Farm Bureau

• Sonoma Clean Power

• Community Alliance with Family Farmers

• Savings Bank of Mendocino

• UC Hopland Research & Extension Center

• Yokayo Seed Project

• MendoLake Food Hub

• Good Farm Fund

• School of Adaptive Agriculture