Farm to Fork Series
2011. Throughout 2011, the Santa Barbara AFA held a 4-part series, entitled Agriculture in Santa Barbara County: The Farm to Fork Series. The goal of the series was to inform and educate local residents about food and farming practices in the county, looking at agriculture from the production, processing, distribution, and consumer perspectives, among others.
Educational forums were held on March 23 and April 6, featuring local experts such as Cathy Fisher, Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner; Victor Tognazzini, Gold Coast Packing, Santa Maria; Robert Abbott, Hilltop and Canyon Farms, Carpinteria; and Dr. Neil MacDougall, Agribusiness Professor at Cal Poly, SLO. Facilitated by Joseph McIntyre, president of Ag Innovations Network and former facilitator of the Santa Barbara AFA, the forums provided an introductory synopsis of current trends around food, farming and agricultural viability from a statewide perspective. Panelists spoke about issues related to and affecting agriculture including local agricultural statistics, farming in today’s economic climate, regulatory realities, environmental resources and considerations, and the future of farming, among other topics. The public was encouraged to pose questions of panelists through a moderated format.
On June 4, the first of two bus tours took participants to south county farm operations including Las Varas Ranch, Givens Organic Farm, and Farmers’ West Flowers and Bouquets, Inc. A September 10 tour focused on north county operations, including the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Los Adobes de Maria, Betteravia Farms, and Windset Farms.
The year-long series came to a successful conclusion on January 25 and 26, 2012 with panel discussions at the Santa Maria and Santa Barbara public libraries. This fourth installment of Farm to Fork series, entitled Closing the Loop, focused on the role of consumers in supporting local farmers, ranchers and other producers. Panelists included Gerri French, Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator at Sansum Medical Clinic; Melissa Gomez, Manager at Goodland Kitchen; Jaime Herrera, Executive Chef at UCSB Dining Commons; Liz Powell, Director of Food Services at Santa Maria Bonita School District; and Clark Staub, Owner at Full of Life Flatbread.
Photos of the events are posted on Facebook.