Ventura AFA History
Highlights from the past ten years include:
- Developed the model for an AFA community process now being seeded up and down the state, including a Constitution and Change Model
- Spawned action that changed state law related to use of pesticides around schools
- Established consensus position on need for more farm worker housing with the county and recommended detailed set of principles, actions and policies that would ensure housing got built
- Sponsored a major policy summit related to farm worker housing
- Sponsored two major fundraising concerts for farm worker housing that generated over $150,000 in funds for housing
- Built a network of advocates for farm worker housing in six cities in the County
- Testified numerous times at meeting of the County Supervisors and city councils to ensure passage of zoning laws and permits that allow more farm worker housing to be built
- Sponsored three documentaries by Walk Your Talk Productions about land use, stewardship of resources and farm worker housing.
- Established consensus on a set of land use principles that if adopted by the county and cities will support the continued existence of agriculture by minimizing the negative consequences associated with the close proximity of farming and urban uses.
- Developed leadership network within the county consisting of over 80 individuals willing to organize and act in order to maintain and enhance agriculture in perpetuity
- Generated nearly 10,000 hours of volunteer time over 10 years
- Authored seven issue papers to inform the community of agricultural policy and community challenges
- Influenced dozens of county organizations in their approach to problem-solving, spreading the collaborative, consensus-based approach of the AFA
For an excellent history of the Ventura AFA you may read John Krist’s Farming in Suburbia.