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.
Find Winter Workshop Series event details and RSVPs within the CALENDAR OF EVENTS below.
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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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] Funding RESOURCES
Grants:
Loans:
USDA: farm food safety
We recommend that all farmers develop a food safety plan. NCGA has partnered with experts at CAFF to provide food safety training services to Humboldt & DelNorte farmers.
Conservation and Carbon Farm Planning.
Conservation and Carbon Farm Planning. No-cost technical assistance with on-farm planning by NCGA staff and our partners at the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District. 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. Organic Transition assistance
Click here to learn about the program |
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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.
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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 wanted listings
Farm Work
Are you interested in working on a farm? 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.
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. |
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Find NCGA's Ag Program updates on our new Instagram Account. 
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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.
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. |
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.
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The Report for the 2023 Humboldt Farm Services Survey is available here. 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. 2025 report coming soon! |
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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."
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS provides America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too.
With the mission of “Helping People Help the Land,” the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the Nation’s soil, water, and related natural resources on non-Federal lands. With our help, people are better able to conserve, maintain, or improve their natural resources. As a result of our technical and financial assistance, land managers and communities take a comprehensive approach to the use and protection of natural resources in rural, suburban, urban, and developing areas.
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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. |
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Lauren Picone | Agricultural Programs Coordinator
As the Agricultural Programs Coordinator, 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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Gwilym Walker | Conservation Planning Specialist
Gwilym Walker majored in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from Green Mountain College in 2018 and since then has worked on various organic farms in New England and Humboldt County as a farmhand and farm owner. As NCGA's Conservation Planning Specialist, Gwilym is excited to help farmers practice environmental conservation and improve production systems. Gwilym is also an avid home gardener and printmaking artist and is always happy to talk about gardening, art, and anything nature related. [email protected] Find the full board and staff directory here. |
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
