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New RFP: 'Central to the Valley' Implementation Project. Click here to learn more.
NEWS & UPDATES
Welcome to the F3 Initiative News page, your source for the latest updates and stories about our work transforming agriculture in California's Central Valley. Explore articles across our three gears—F3 Innovate, F3 Local, and AgTEC Workforce—to learn how we’re driving innovation, empowering local farmers, and upskilling workers for a sustainable future. Whether you’re interested in groundbreaking ag-tech research, community-based food systems, or workforce development, there’s something here for everyone.
Video: Central to the Valley - Campaign Launch
The new Central to the Valley brand campaign officially launched in Ivanhoe, California, bringing together farmers, growers, and community partners to celebrate a new regional brand focused on strengthening connections to Central Valley agriculture. This video captures the launch event and highlights how the campaign is working to elevate local farmers, increase demand for regionally grown food, and build a more resilient, community-centered food system.
Apr 17
Organic Farming in the San Joaquin Valley: Optimizing Soil Health and Managing Pests
On March 13th, F3 Local co-hosted a field day for organic and organic-transitioning growers with Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and UCANR's Climate Smart Agriculture program. This event brought together many local farmers and service providers for a full morning of soil education, organic pest management strategies, and resource sharing.
Apr 11
Farmer/Buyer Mixer (Video)
Connecting farmers to markets is key to building a strong local food system. At the Farmer/Buyer Mixer, hosted by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) with support from F3 Local, small farmers from across the Central Valley came together with regional buyers to build relationships, talk through seasonal needs, and create sales opportunities for their businesses.
Apr 9
Compost Caravan & Spreader Training
Join us on May 6th for a Farmer Compost Day event, hosted by the Association of Compost Producers, featuring F3 Local equipment sharing/compost spreading training, on-farm compost workshop, and additional resources.
Apr 8
Ag Day at Fresno Chaffee Zoo
On Saturday, March 21, Fresno Chaffee Zoo will host Ag Day: Seed to Table, a vibrant celebration honoring the region that helps feed our community—and the world. This special event invites families, farmers, innovators, youth leaders, and community members to come together for a fun, hands-on experience that highlights the richness and diversity of agriculture across our region.
Mar 19
International Year of the Woman Farmer
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026), a global recognition of the vital role women play across agrifood systems. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience. Women farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders are shaping the future of agriculture every day, balancing tradition, innovation, and community impact.
Mar 17
F3 Local Launches 'Central to the Valley' Regional Brand
F3 Local and CAFF celebrated the official launch of "Central to the Valley", a new regional brand designed to amplify connection to Central Valley agriculture and highlight the farmers at the heart of our food system.
Mar 13
VIDEO: 2026 World Ag Expo®
This recap video highlights the F3 Initiative and F3 Innovate’s participation at the 2026 World Ag Expo, including a co-sponsorship of the Top 10 New Products and F3i's interactive booth featuring F3 partners and a live podcast station.
Mar 11
F3 Local at Eco-Farm: Value-Added Food Production
Eco-Farm’s 46th annual conference was held from January 21st to 24th. This year brought together over 1,500 organic and regenerative farmers, educators, and researchers from throughout California. F3 Local made its first appearance this year, with Food Innovation and Small Business Coordinator, Yonatan Weinberg, facilitating a discussion on value-added production and processing.
Feb 26
Video Spotlight: Sherman Produce Market
Meet Donald Sherman, founder of Sherman Produce Market located in Fresno's westside community. Watch and learn about his business, his vision for growth, and his eagerness to expand and serve more farmers here in the Central Valley.
Feb 16
Video Spotlight: Fresno BIPOC Produce
Meet Keng Vang, owner of Fresno BIPOC Produce and a rising force in local ag. Thanks to a connection from the F3 Initiative, Keng secured funding from Waverley Street Foundation to purchase land and is planning to build a cold storage facility and community food hub in Fresno.
Feb 3
Needs Assessment on Tools & Technology for Small Farms in the San Joaquin Valley
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) published Small Farms and the Future of AgTech - A Needs Assessment on Tools & Technology for Small Farms in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The report aims to identify the specific technology needs of small-scale farmers here in the Valley, examining barriers that limit or slow adoption, and offering actionable recommendations for policymakers, funders, technical assistance providers, and technology developers.
Jan 23
San Joaquin Valley Farmer Gathering at CAFF’s 2026 Small Farm Conference
CAFF is bringing together farmers, food advocates, and agricultural allies for the 38th Annual Small Farm Conference. The San Joaquin Valley Farmer Gathering will be held on February 26, 2026, at Sweet Valley Produce.
Jan 16
VIDEO: 5th Annual Small Farm Tech Expo
Watch Highlights from the 5th Annual Small Farm Tech Expo! On December 2, farmers, entrepreneurs, and innovators came together for a day of learning, tech demos, and connection at UC Merced. Hosted by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) with support from F3 Local and the broader F3 Initiative, the event showcased the tools, technologies, and partnerships shaping the future of small farms.
Dec 30, 2025
Cultiva La Salud Helps Fresno’s Mobile Food Vendors Get Certified
Thanks to funding from the F3 Initiative, Cultiva La Salud is helping local mobile food vendors get the tools, knowledge, and support they need to succeed through its Mobile Food Vendor Certification Program.
Dec 18, 2025
Small Farm Tech Expo (Recap & Photos)
More than 200 farmers, researchers, students, and ag-tech enthusiasts gathered at UC Merced on December 2 for the 5th Annual Small Farm Tech Expo, a full-day event showcasing hands-on agricultural technologies designed for small-scale farms.
Dec 10, 2025
Video: 'A Taste of California' at Terra Madre Americas
Over 165,000 people from around the world came to Terra Madre in Sacramento (September 26-28, 2025), and the Central Valley showed up in a big way! Watch our recap video and learn how our "A Taste of California" pavilion brought the Central Valley to an international stage with cooking demos, vendor booths, local product tastings, and more.
Nov 15, 2025
Request for Proposals: Case Study Evaluation
We’re excited to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Case Study Evaluation of the F3 Initiative. This is a unique opportunity to help study and document the systems-level impact of F3’s work in agriculture, innovation, and workforce development. Proposals are due by December 10, 2025.
Nov 12, 2025
Central Valley Food Economy Summit
On October 17, 2025, attendees gathered at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District for the Central Valley Food Economy Summit, hosted by F3 Local. The one-day event, with more than 80 RSVPs, focused on how investments in food industry infrastructure - like shared kitchens and processing centers - can help create a vibrant, resilient, and equitable local economy.
Oct 23, 2025
Foodie Fundraising Forum (November 6)
Looking for fundraising tips for your food business? Register for the upcoming Foodie Fundraising Forum on Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 9am - 2pm to equip yourself with the tools, mindset, and strategy to fundraise confidently and sustainably.
Oct 23, 2025
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