CA Boosts Funding Opportunities for a New Generation of Sustainable Farmers and Local, Healthy Food

[marmar]

from Civil Eats:



CA Boosts Funding Opportunities for a New Generation of Sustainable Farmers and Local, Healthy Food

November 29th, 2012
By Kari Hamerschlag


It’s a new day for those who have felt poorly served by California’s chief food and agriculture agency.

In a significant shift, an $18 million state-managed program that supports growers of vegetables, fruit and nuts is strengthening its focus on ecologically minded farmers and local, urban and healthy food programs.

New funding guidelines announced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture mark an important break from decades of mostly serving the interests of larger, conventional growers.

While the last few years have seen increased support for local food and direct marketing projects, the state’s new guidelines for the federally-funded program reflect a much more inclusive vision that values small, mid-scale and large farms; emphasizes healthy food access and urban food production; supports local, regional and climate-friendly agriculture; and invests in organics and a new generation of more environmentally sustainable growers. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://civileats.com/2012/11/29/ca-boosts-funding-opportunities-for-a-new-generation-of-sustainable-farmers-and-local-healthy-food/