Registration is open for the Third Annual “Growing Together” Latino Farmer Conference happening Tuesday, November 7th at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center. The National Center for Appropriate Technology along with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service are collaborating to present the statewide sustainable agriculture conference for Spanish speaking farmers.
The event opens for check-in at 7 a.m. with breakfast and networking opportunities beginning at 8 a.m. The opening program begins at 9 a.m. with a keynote address from the Bautista family, who have a history of more than forty years of farming dates in Southern California.
A Latino farmer panel discussion will be followed by the first session of workshops. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear speakers present information on how to access farm financing and sustainable soil management. The development of new markets for farm products and efficient irrigation management will also be discussed.
The second session of workshops will begin after lunch with presentations on how to conform to new farmworker health and safety regulations, along with requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Workshops will also be presenting direct marketing strategies and soil improvement techniques.
All workshops will be conducted in Spanish and English translation will also be available. The workshop sessions will be followed by a panel discussion for young and beginning farmers. The cost for the event is $20 and those interested in attending can register online.
The Latino Farmer Conference brings together the Spanish speaking farming community with the agriculture industry, agribusinesses, and sustainability advocates for a day of workshops and networking with fellow farmers.