Rooted in Place: CAFF Small Farm Conference

The 37th Annual California Small Farm Conference, hosted by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) with support from the F3 Initiative, brought together hundreds of small-scale growers, food advocates, and community leaders across the state for a week of workshops, conversations, and regional gatherings. With this year’s theme, “Rooted in Place,” the conference celebrated the deep ties between farmers, the communities they feed, and the land they steward.

A highlight of the week was the San Joaquin Valley Regional Gathering, held on Friday, February 28 at Merced College. The gathering welcomed over 100 attendees for a full day of learning, networking, and celebration of the Central Valley’s vibrant agricultural community. Keynote speaker Rizpah Bellard of Nova Farming set an inspiring tone for the day, sharing her journey as a Black woman rancher and her passion for empowering new and beginning farmers. The event also featured remarks from Merced College President Chris Vitelli and a warm welcome from CAFF and F3 partners.

Workshops throughout the day offered practical tools for farmers to strengthen their businesses, navigate food safety requirements, and market their products. Sessions included “Produce Markets and Marketing Strategies,” “Land Access,” “Organic Certification,” “Know Your Soil,” and a well-attended Buyer-Farmer Mixer to help local producers connect with institutional and retail buyers. The day closed with energy and optimism, as new connections were made and attendees expressed hope for the future of farming in the Central Valley.

The F3 Initiative was proud to support this event through its F3 Local gear, which works in partnership with organizations like CAFF to uplift small and mid-sized farmers through technical assistance, market development, and policy advocacy. The success of the Small Farm Conference reflects the growing momentum behind localized, inclusive agriculture and the collective determination to ensure Central Valley farmers thrive.

Watch the recap video below for highlights from the day!