The California Bountiful Foundation, the 501(c)3 nonprofit science, research and educational organization of the California Farm Bureau, has received a $574,750 grant to support the California Farm Bureau Beginning Farmer and Rancher Mentoring Program.
The program has been named “Expanding our Roots” and is dedicated to supporting newly emerging agriculturalists in California. More information on the program may be found here.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funds will support the development and implementation of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Mentoring program, which will partner with the California Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers organization.
“This was a very competitive grant solicitation process that the California Bountiful Foundation pursued, and it is one of many examples how the foundation is supporting farmers and ranchers as well as helping us build our agricultural future,” said California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson.
The initiative will match 200 beginning farmers and ranchers with one to 10 years of experience with agricultural mentors who have worked in California farming and ranching for more than a decade. Mentoring will focus on topic areas including market access, climate challenges, navigating the regulatory system, pest management and the business aspects of farming and ranching.
Beginning agriculturalists receiving support under the program will include military veterans and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Partners in the effort include the California Farm Bureau YF&R program, county Farm Bureaus, the Black Agriculture Working Group and the Farmer Veteran Coalition’s founder, Michael O’Gorman.
“We are excited to implement this program and for the opportunity to support beginning farmers and ranchers who are critical to California’s agricultural future,” said Amrith Gunasekara, Ph.D., science and research director of the California Bountiful Foundation. “This effort will provide valuable experiences, training and opportunities for our young agriculturalists and mentor the next generation of leaders in America’s most productive farming state.”
The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 29,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.3 million Farm Bureau members.
Source: cfbf.com