69³ÉÈË

Limited-resource and small-scale farmers are eligible for full and partial scholarships that will enable them to attend the Nov. 17-19 California Small Farm Conference in Ventura.

The University of California's Small Farm Center is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to award small-scale farmers the resources they need to attend this informative, practical conference.

To qualify for scholarships, a farmer must be living in California, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be a small-scale farmer with annual income under $250,000 or a limited-resource farmer with annual income under $100,000. The scholarship covers the cost of registration, lodging, lunches and dinners, and mileage for attendees who live more than 50 miles from Ventura.

To apply for a conference scholarship, a farmer must complete a brief application form and return it to his or her region's Small Farm Advisor before Oct. 15. Application forms and information can be obtained from Birgit Hempel at the 69³ÉÈË-based UC Small Farm Center at (530) 752-8136 or by e-mail at sfcenter@ucdavis.edu.

The California Small Farm Conference offers seven workshop tracks on topics such as farm management, specialty crops, innovative marketing strategies, and organic and low-input production. Additional full- and half-day courses address value-added products, direct marketing, soil science, specialty animal enterprises and drip irrigation in greater detail. Tours and visits offer a closer look at specialty crop production, farmers' markets, and on-farm conservation in the area. In addition, a tasting event will highlight the food and wine of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Ojai and vicinity.