Our Agricultural Services are here to connect North Coast farmers with the practical tools they need to thrive, including technical assistance, workshops, and networking opportunities. We are dedicated to supporting our entire farming community, with a special focus on reaching those who have often been left out or ignored by traditional programs.
Our work is largely conducted in the unceded ancestral territory and current homeland of the Wiyot, Yurok, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, and Tolowa Tribes. Join us in contributing to the Honor Tax Project.
*New Land Listings Available Weekly for Farmers!
View the 2025 Humboldt Farm Services Survey Report here.
Direct technical assistance is an essential component of our agricultural programs. Please reach out any time or visit us during our weekly office hours to discuss any of our services listed below, or to learn more about USDA, CDFA or other outside programs and opportunities.
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OUR KEY SERVICES:
BUSINESS CONSULTING
Build your business plan, get your books in order for grants or loans, learn key business skills with the North Coast SBDC and NCGA experts. Receive no-cost one-on-one business advising or take a look the the free workshops we have to offer. Visit the North Coast SBDC website and click the "Sign-up for SBDC" button to get going or email [email protected] Find some excellent business tools and resources in the Resource Directory section below. north coast land match
North Coast Land Match. Direct support for land access in Humboldt and Del Norte. Connecting land owners to small farmers looking to scale up or relocate. 
farm food safety
All producers that sell through the Harvest Hub must complete and submit a Food Safety Plan. Since we are representing a variety of farms, we need to make sure that all products that we sell are held to the same, high standard. We work with schools and other vulnerable populations, so please help us ensure the safety of our community by providing accurate data in your plan.
**Check out this helpful Breakdown of a Food Safety Plan (La Composiciòn de un Plan de Inocuidad Alimentaria) video from our friends at the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.** Food Safety plans are optional but recommended for all other farmers. |
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Be a part of our community! Our resources, events and programs are open to all regional farmers. You do not need to be a member of the NCGA to participate (unless otherwise noted). While we tailor our services to the Humboldt farming community, many of our programs also reach farmers in Del Norte, adjacent tribal lands and other neighboring counties.
OUR KEY SERVICES:
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get the newsletter
Would you like to receive agricultural alerts for regional farmers and ag systems professionals? Add your email address today. farmer equipment library
Farm Equipment Library. NCGA has several pieces of equipment that are available for shared use by our agricultural community. farmer gatherings
Humboldt Farmer Gatherings. For farmers and farmworkers, hosted on local farms. One gathering is planned every other month and often feature UCCE mini-workshops. farm work listings
Farm Work
Are you interested in working on an NCGA member farm? Find the Fram Work Wanted form here. NCGA farmer members have a variety of needs, from full time to part time and full year to seasonal, but most positions are physically demanding. Find more farmworker resources here.
Are you an NCGA farmer member looking for help on your farm? Contact [email protected] to request a list of recent submissions to the above Farm Work Wanted form. If you don't have luck finding the right person for your job, we invite you to request that we post your job listing. Find that form here. north coast agricultural collaborative
North Coast Agricultural Collaborative. A Collaborative of 20+ agricultural systems professionals and farmers in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Humboldt food policy council
The Humboldt Food Policy Council (HFPC) is a network of diverse Humboldt County food systems stakeholders. The HFPC works to enhance a regional food system that is equitable, culturally appropriate, and both environmentally and economically sustainable by facilitating collaborative partnerships of diverse stakeholders; and affecting relevant policies throughout the food system. Learn more. Farmworker resources
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Humboldt County Grown. A regionally focused, farmer-to-farmer podcast blending personal journeys, technical skills, regional projects and support systems. Designed for farmers 1st, but also often of interest to ag professionals and the broader food system community, with an emphasis on Humboldt County and adjacent Tribal lands. |
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NCGA provides a number of educational workshops and training program opportunities tailored to our region throughout the year. Additional upcoming events and deadlines can be found above in the Calendar of Events.
OUR KEY SERVICES:
The Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program
No-cost, cohort-based program with in-field and classroom learning, plus internships/mentorships.
The Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program. A no-cost, cohort-based program with in-field & classroom learning, choice of paid internships or mentorship pairings. winter workshop series
Find the Winter Workshop Series schedule in the Calendar of Events above. archive of past workshop videos and materials
Garden to Farm/ Del Huerto A La Granja. Learn how to make money from your garden through farmers' markets, arm stands or food hub sales/ Aprenda cómo ganar dinero de su jardín a través de los mercados Agrícolas, puestos agrícolas o ventas a través del centro de cosechas. |
For Regional Small-Scale Family Farmers
Finding the right resources for your farm can feel overwhelming. Too often, financial and practical guides are designed for large-scale industrial operations that don’t align with the values or the size of our small family farms here on the North Coast.
We are dedicated to finding tools that actually work for you. As we discover relevant, appropriately scaled, and accessible resources, we will add them to the directory below.
If there is a resource you love that we haven’t included yet, please let us know! You can reach out through the Contact Us form at the bottom of this page.
Land, Funding & Business Support
Lease agreements, grants, micro-loans, and business planning tools built for small-scale operations.
Tax Toolshed
We’re excited to share with you this Tax Toolshed, a toolkit created by CA FarmLink to help farmers, ranchers, and fishers navigate tax preparation with greater ease and confidence. Whether you’re preparing your own taxes or assisting clients, the Tax Toolshed is here to make organizing key documents and records more manageable, while fostering stronger collaboration with tax professionals.
What's inside the Tax Toolshed?
What's inside the Tax Toolshed?
- Diagnostic tools to identify the most relevant lessons.
- Short, accessible lessons featuring recordings, PowerPoints, and detailed notes.
- Guidance on whether taxes need to be filed, handling income from federal programs, and considerations for those living and working on the same land.
- A best practices guide for selecting and working with tax preparers.
- A tax organizer workbook tailored for first-time filers or anyone seeking a smoother filing experience.
Grants
Grants:
- View NCGA's information and guidance on finding grant funding that can work for you on our Grants for Farmers page.
- Learn about the 2025 NCGA Micro-Grant. *Deadline Dec 15th, 2025.
Loans
- Let NCGA help get you started. View our Farm Loan Resources document for some solid referrals.
USDA:
Farm business support & tools
Please enjoy these custom materials and templates developed by the North Coast SBDC with the NCGA:
Buying or leasing land, lease agreements
Labor, Ag Regulations & Cerifications
hiring employees
Agricultural Regulations basics
Certifications
Organic
Watch: Get Certified! The Benefits and Challenges of Organic Certification for Small Farmers
Organic certification can open doors for small farms — but what does it actually take to get there? In this workshop from the 38th Annual California Small Farm Conference, we explore why certification matters and what stands in the way for many small growers. Many small farms use organic practices but never become certified. This session digs into the real benefits certification can offer, including access to larger markets and funding sources, while honestly addressing the challenges that keep farms from applying and what farmers can do to overcome those barriers. If you've ever wondered whether organic certification is right for your farm, this session gives you the information you need to make that decision. This workshop was recorded as part of the 38th annual California Small Farm Conference, a week of learning, inspiration and community. This event is a production of CAFF: Community Alliance with Family Farmers. www.caff.org
Organic certification can open doors for small farms — but what does it actually take to get there? In this workshop from the 38th Annual California Small Farm Conference, we explore why certification matters and what stands in the way for many small growers. Many small farms use organic practices but never become certified. This session digs into the real benefits certification can offer, including access to larger markets and funding sources, while honestly addressing the challenges that keep farms from applying and what farmers can do to overcome those barriers. If you've ever wondered whether organic certification is right for your farm, this session gives you the information you need to make that decision. This workshop was recorded as part of the 38th annual California Small Farm Conference, a week of learning, inspiration and community. This event is a production of CAFF: Community Alliance with Family Farmers. www.caff.org
A Guide to Organic System Plan (OSP) FormsThis document will tell you which forms you need to fill out to create a complete Organic System Plan (OSP) based on what practices you use on your farm. By using this guide, you can create a full OSP for your farm.
Organic Funding Opportunities:Organic Transition Funding:
CCOF: Organic Transition Grant: When farmers transition their land from conventional to organic, they have to wait three years before achieving certification and selling their products as organic. During this three-year period, farmers are learning new farming techniques, creating new systems for their business, and generating new markets for their soon-to-be-organic products, all while cultivating products that are not yet able to earn certified organic premiums. Organic Transition grants provide financial support to farmers who want to shift into to organic production. These grants and technical assistance are available to farmers and ranchers in California who are interested in transitioning to organic production.
Program participants receive grants, mentorship, and technical support in agronomy, business and financial literacy, marketing, and market development over a three-year period.
Grant Amount: $10,000 per year for three years, for a total of $30,000.
There may be the opportunity for eligible transitioning farmers to qualify for an additional $1,000/transitioning acre up to 30 acres for soil building practices.
Organic Funding Assistance:
- CCOF: Hardship Assistance Fund : Giving direct financial assistance to organic producers. The Hardship Assistance Fund gives $5,000 – $20,000 direct financial disaster assistance grants for hardship related to extreme weather or climate impacts to organic farmers and processors.
- OG Farming Research Foundation: Research Grant The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) grants program is open to applicants residing in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Applying for funding is a two-step process. Applicants first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). A subset of LOI applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. OFRF will fund projects up to $20,000. Most projects span one year; multi-year projects will only receive funding for the first year.
Regenerative
Other certifications
Growing, Production & Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
Practical crop and livestock guides, soil health, and indigenous land stewardship.
Conservation and Carbon Farm Planning.
No-cost technical assistance with on-farm planning is available through our partners at the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District.
Conservation and Carbon Farm Planning.
No-cost technical assistance with on-farm planning is available through our partners at the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District.
Markets & Local Sales
Farmers markets, CSAs, farm stands, food hubs, and other outlets
Workshops, conferences, and local farm networks
Additional Resources
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Collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt
In the fall of 2024 NCGA had the honor of facilitating the capstone project of three Cal Poly Humboldt environmental studies students. The project centered on the closure of Redwood Meat Company, Humboldt County's only USDA-inspected meat processing facility, that occurred over the summer of 2024. The students, Jacquelyn Opalach, Michael Mele, and Amanda Ronald created a storymap that beautifully outlines the impact of losing this valuable community resource. They included examples of other rural communities that have undergone feasibility studies to open USDA meat processing facilities and compared the information. |
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:
USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Ag Census data, one-third of the United States’ 3.4 million farmers are over the age of 65. Ensuring there will be a “new generation” of beginning farmers and ranchers – regardless of age or production choice – is essential to the continuation of agricultural production in the United States. Beginning farmers and ranchers have unique educational, training, technical assistance and outreach needs. Access to capital, land and knowledge that assists in ensuring profitability and sustainability are vital to farmers and ranchers in their first ten years of operation.
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."
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Lauren Picone | Director of Food Systems & Agricultural Services
As the Director of Food Systems & Agricultural Services, Lauren is excited to support all NCGA’s Ag programs, coordinate farmer and rancher trainings and workshops, and provide technical assistance and grant-writing services to local producers. Lauren has years of experience managing programs for a non-profit, regenerative farm on the central coast and recently completed her MS degree from Cal Poly, SLO where she researched the long-term effects of regenerative practices on soil health. Lauren is very passionate about supporting small-scale farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices. You can find Lauren rafting down a river, hiking deep in the redwoods, or exploring the coast. [email protected] |
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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: [email protected] 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, Building 2
Arcata CA 95521
Send Mail:
NCGA Ag Programs
PO Box 4232
Arcata, CA 95518
Focused on the critical needs of our regional farmers, NCGA Agricultural Programs partner with farmers and community partners to design tailored resources, workshops, and services that help farm businesses thrive and our food system remain resilient. We prioritize working with farmers from communities that have often been left out or ignored by traditional programs.
Our work is largely conducted in the unceded ancestral territory and current homeland of the Wiyot, Yurok, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, and Tolowa Tribes. Join us in contributing to the Honor Tax Project.
Our work is largely conducted in the unceded ancestral territory and current homeland of the Wiyot, Yurok, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, and Tolowa Tribes. Join us in contributing to the Honor Tax Project.