Two of the most important connections you can make as a young or beginning farmer is to get to know your local Resource Conservation District and your area University Cooperative Extension office.
Five of our partners are Resource Conservation Districts, who work with landowners to find funding for important resource protection projects, and can also advise farmers about their operations and lands:
- Marin Resource Conservation District
- Sonoma Resorce Conservation District (covers portions of Sonoma County that drain to the Russian River or the SF Bay)
- Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (covers western Sonoma County)
- Mendocino Resource Conservation District
- Lake County Resource Conservation District (two districts are currently merging into one)
The University of California Cooperative extension service has many resources for agriculutural operators and has programs in the counties:
- Marin County http://cemarin.ucanr.edu/
- Sonoma County http://cesonoma.ucanr.edu/
- Mencocino County http://cemendocino.ucanr.edu/
- Lake County http://celake.ucanr.edu/
Recently, Farm Guilds have sprung up in the northcoast, and these guilds are an excellent place to learn new ideas, share equipment, and make friends and connections. Check out http://www.farmersguild.org/
