Ag Futures Alliance Bus Tour Sep. 10, 2011

There’s still time to be part of the most promising educational effort of environmentalists and agriculturalists our county may ever know.

Get aboard the "Farm to Fork" bus

Saturday, September 10, 2011

to tour north county farm operations including the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Los Adobes de Maria farmworker housing and a large-scale farming operation.

sponsored by the

Santa Barbara Ag Futures Alliance

a group that is building bridges among farmers, environmentalists and other community members.

The group seeks to educate members of the public about the realities facing agriculturalists and to preserve farming and farmland for the future.

To register for the tour, visit www.aginnovations.org or call (805) 886-0355.

HISTORY

  SBAFA began in 2007 when leaders from the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau and Environmental Defense Center brought together a small group of growers, environmentalists and community activists to find areas they could agree upon “to promote the long-term viability of agriculture in Santa Barbara County while addressing environmental and social concerns through an alliance that values dialogue and collaboration.”

FARM TO FORK SERIES

            The education program began in March with forums in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which examined food and farming practices in Santa Barbara County including production, processing, distribution and consumer perspectives.

            Several persons toured Las Varas Ranch in Gaviota, Givens Organic Farm in Goleta and Farmers’ West Flowers and Bouquets in Carpinteria on June 4.

            A tour of north county farm operations is scheduled for Sept. 10 and will include the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Los Adobes de Maria farmworker housing and a large-scale farming operation.

            The final part of the series is panel discussion in December on the consumer’s role in supporting local farms with an emphasis on diet-related illness, access to fresh, healthy food, institutional purchasing and school food reform.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

            Persons who are interested in receiving more information from the alliance can visit the website at http://santabarbaracoafa.org or send an email to eric@aginnovations.org or call (805) 866-0355 or contact one of the members listed on the website.

            The alliance is an association of individuals who commit to 30 hours per year to find win-win solutions to issues facing agriculture and the environment. Currently, members represent Abbott Ranch, the Farm Bureau, UCSB Environmental Studies, UCSB Dining Services, League of Women Voters Santa Maria Valley, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara County Action Network, Environmental Defense Center, Central Coast Wine Growers, Rancho San Julian and Given Farms.

REGISTER FOR THE TOURS

To register for the tour, visit http://santabarbaracoafa.org or call (805) 886-0355.