NCGA Agricultural Programs are a new sector of NCGA, designed to address the most critical needs in our regional farming community in Humboldt County, CA. In collaboration with many regional partners, our programs work to provide local farmers with resources to help with their business and growing practices, connect to local and national agricultural resources, and provide workshops and peer-to-peer learning opportunities on topics that will benefit our local farmers and food system.
Our work is largely conducted in the unceded ancestral territory and current home land of the Wiyot Tribe. Learn about the land tax program here.
Our work is largely conducted in the unceded ancestral territory and current home land of the Wiyot Tribe. Learn about the land tax program here.
Welcome to the brand new Humboldt Grown Podcast,created to connect local farmers to timely resources, discuss key issues, and better connect us all together.
**First Episode Now Available** May 2023: Ivy North of NCGA talks with Silas Sarvinski, Farm Manager at College of the Redwoods, to talk about climate-related farming challenges in Humboldt and Del Norte, and some highlights from the upcoming Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program. |
Safety Doesn't Happen By AccidentNCGA has partnered with experts at CAFF to provide training services to Humboldt & DelNorte farmers and NCGA staff. We recommend that all farmers develop a food safety plan.
*Any farmer that would like to sell food through the new Harvest Hub is required to have a completed plan submitted to NCGA. Ready to get started? Download the food safety plan template below and then view the Food Safety workshop recording below, led by Grace Perry of CAFF that was created for and presented to Humboldt and DelNorte farmers. For more information about farm please visit the CAFF Food Safety webpage. For information about the food safety plan requirement for the Harvest Hub please contact Megan Kenney: megan@nothcoastgrowersassociation.org
|
The North Coast Seed Library Survey is seeking responses to guide the efforts of an emerging seed library project in and around Humboldt County.
The survey is available in English and Spanish. Check out the survey to hear more and to share your voice by Friday July 14. We are grateful for your participation and urge you to share this survey with other local community members, especially those who may have been historically silenced or under engaged. |
The Report for the 2023 Humboldt Farm Services Survey is now available. We welcome you to take a look. Special thanks to all of you who took the time to participate in this survey. Your thoughtful responses and suggestions for farm services provide a wealth of useful information for NCGA and our local partners. 
|
More NCGA or partner events are added regularly. Check in often or subscribe to the Humboldt Roots newsletter to be sure that you stay in the loop.
Find previous workshop recordings here on topics including farm cooperatives, 2021 State of the Industry farmer panel, IPM, small farm technology, regenerative farming, financial resources and more. Plus, stakeholder meetings on a north coast land match and a north coast food trail.
|
Direct support for land access. Connecting land owners to small farmers looking to scale up or relocate. Farmer Info Session: November 2023. Learn about this new NCGA program that serves to connect small scale and socially disadvantaged or new farmers in Humboldt and Del Norte with available land to lease or purchase. Land Match Services for Land Owners and Farmers Begin: December 2023 
College of the Redwoods and North Coast Growers’ Association are excited to provide the Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program, providing long term and sustainable strategies for climate resilience and adaptations. Graduates will earn a certificate from College of the Redwoods in Climate Resilient Farming. Curriculum is designed for participants from Humboldt and DelNorte Counties who are in their first 5 years of farming and prioritizes spaces for socially disadvantaged farmers.
|
Reserve cold or freezer storage. Sell to the Harvest Box program, to schools or institutions. This local food hub will make it easier for stores, restaurants, and institutions like schools to access our members' food by coordinating the ordering and distribution aspect of locally grown and raised food while also providing support to local farms to be able to increase their growing capacity and sustainability of their farm businesses. 
Whether it’s business plan development, access to ag loans or grants, small farm human resources, ag regulation compliance, marketing, accounting, or any other farm business need — the North Coast Small Business Development Center (NCSBDC) in collaboration with industry experts at NCGA, can be your one-stop-shop for accelerating your small farm's business success. We are genuinely excited about your business, and we’re committed to helping entrepreneurs like you successfully navigate the economy’s ups and downs and prepare for whatever lies ahead with our 100% Free Business Consulting. There is no cost – ever – to establish a relationship with NCSBDC advisors and mentors. Let us be your support team!
Visit the NCSBDC site to learn more and sign up, or use the contact form below to find out more. |
|
NCGA partners with many local and state organizations and offices to develop our agricultural program resources and programing.
Key Partners Include:
North Coast SBDC
Community Food Council for Del Norte and Tribal Lands (DNATL)
Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
The Yurok Tribe
College of the Redwoods -Agriculture
California FarmLink
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Humboldt - Del Norte Counties
NCGA Agricultural Programs Receive Funding From:
CDFA Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training and Workforce Development Grant Program (BFFTP)
"The North Coast Beginning Farmer Training Program has been designed to address the most critical needs in our farming community. Through the implementation of this project our regional community of new and socially disadvantaged farmers will be given the opportunity to collect tools and resources that will provide measurable outcomes and results."
NRCS: Conservation Outreach Racial Equity and Justice Funding Opportunity, contracted through the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD)
"The Equity Conservation Cooperative Agreements, administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) fund two-year projects to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to farmers who are new to farming, low income, socially disadvantaged or military veterans. Projects support USDA’s broader effort to address climate change and equitable access to programs."
|
Customized business resource & development directory for Humboldt and Del Norte farmers. Coming soon. |
|
Humboldt Grown Podcast |
Locally produced podcast for regional farmers to receive information about agricultural programs, timely resources and get to know helpful industry contacts. Coming soon. |
|
Ivy North | Agricultural Programs Director
Ivy has been with NCGA for over a decade. As the Ag Programs Director, Ivy partners with various offices, organizations and funding sources to develop localized training programs and connect critical services & funding opportunities to local small scale and socially disadvantaged farmers. Email Ivy with your questions or to to set up an appointment to discuss how NCGA Agricultural Programs can serve your farm business: ivy@northcoastgrowersassociation.org Also ask me about free and confidential business development resources & services available through the North Coast SBDC. |
Visit Us:
NCGA Office & Harvest Hub
5720 West End Road
Arcata CA 95521
Send Mail:
NCGA Ag Programs
PO Box 4232
Arcata, CA 95518