San Joaquin Valley Farmer Gathering at CAFF’s 2026 Small Farm Conference

The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is once again bringing together farmers, food advocates, and agricultural allies for the 38th Annual Small Farm Conference — a week of learning, connection, and community focused on the future of small farms across the state.

This year’s hybrid event runs February 22–27, 2026, and features over 50 online workshops followed by a dozen in-person gatherings, including one right here in the San Joaquin Valley. F3 is proud to support this local gathering and the broader conference, which continues to be a vital space for small-scale farmers and ranchers to share what’s working, find new resources, and build lasting relationships.

Join us for the San Joaquin Valley Farmer Gathering:

Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 9:30 am–3:30 pm

Sweet Valley Produce, 4050 Jerry Collins Ave, Merced, CA 95341

This in-person gathering reflects the 2026 conference theme: “Digging in Together: Small Farms, Deep Resolve.”

The day will include a mix of conversation and hands-on activities, including a marketing workshop, a guided farm tour of Sweet Valley Produce, and CAFF’s Farmer–Buyer Mixer. Lunch will be provided, with time built in to connect informally with other farmers and buyers throughout the afternoon. The event will be held bilingually in English and Spanish.

Sweet Valley Produce is a farm and food hub owned and operated by Angelica Estrada. The farm is transitioning to organic, and the food hub is a certified organic handler. Join us to learn more about Angelica’s farming journey and how she supports other small farmers across the region.

Schedule of events

9:30 am–1:30 pm

• Registration and grounding

• Marketing workshop

• Farm tour of Sweet Valley Produce

• Lunch

1:30–3:30 pm

• Farmer and buyer mixer to follow

Farmers will be prioritized for registration. If you are a technical assistance provider, please limit attendance to one representative per organization. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

REGISTER ONLINE

Why this conference matters

With topics ranging from soil health and marketing to climate resilience and policy, the CAFF Small Farm Conference is designed to meet small producers where they are — whether you’re managing a quarter-acre urban plot or a multi-generational family farm. Sessions are practical, peer-led, and rooted in the lived experience of working the land.

F3 is honored to support this important event and help bring the Valley’s farming community together. The San Joaquin Valley Farmer Gathering is funded in part by the F3 Initiative, which is committed to uplifting small farmers, expanding access to resources, and investing in the future of sustainable agriculture.

Registration is open now!

To make the event accessible to all, admission is offered on a sliding scale. Choose the amount that works for you — and if you’re able, consider giving a little extra to help someone else attend.

🎟️ Learn more and register at caff.org/conference2026

We hope to see you there!