Summit at UC Santa Cruz to discuss approaches to climate, environment, agriculture and food system resilience
Farmers and food producers are invited to participate in the inaugural California Earthworkers Summit on Sept. 11–12 at UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology Farm.
Held at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, the vision for the summit is to bring together people from different backgrounds, sectors and generations to share knowledge and to connect small and independent farmers and ranchers with resources and support to strengthen the food system.
Billed as a space for “Earthworkers” – those working in service of the planet and its communities – the summit offers training, matchmaking among food producers and food buyers (including UC Procurement) and a farmers market. The agenda features panel discussions, farm tours, cultural events, plus marketing, grant-writing and policy workshops. Youth and students can participate in hands-on workshops, mentorship opportunities and intergenerational storytelling.
Among the speakers are UC Agriculture and Natural Resources experts:
- Rachael Callahan, statewide agritourism coordinator for the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
- Darryl Sweet, chief procurement officer for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Julie Katawicz, 4-H youth program representative for Santa Cruz and San Benito counties
- Stepha Velednitsky, 4-H youth development advisor for Contra Costa and Alameda counties
- Hedmon Okella, 4-H animal science advisor based in San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties
- Cristina Murillo Barrick, UC Cooperative Extension Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) community development advisor for the Bay Area
- Lilian Thaoxaochay, UC Cooperative Extension disaster resiliency, planning and policy advisor for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties
“The California Earthworkers Summit is both a tribute and a call to gather, to grow and to build a future rooted in justice and regeneration,” said summit organizer Sheyna Burns, founder of the Square One Foundation.
Sponsors include the California Department of Food and Agriculture, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, California FarmLink, the Regenerative Farming Collective, the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CALCAN), California Certified Organic Farmers, and Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
For more information and to register, visit www.earthworkerssummit.org. Producers interested in participating in the matchmaking session are asked to complete this form by Sept. 2: https://bit.ly/3UHyQjf.