Caff

JANUARY 7, 2025

LEGACY FARMER OF THE YEAR: Russ Lester, Dixon Ridge Farms Russ Lester, co-owner of Dixon Ridge Farms and a fourth-generation California farmer, has been a pioneer in organic farming since 1989, shaping innovative practices for sustainable orchard management.

Farming 105

Farming Farming Ecology Orchard 105

Caff

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Kendra Altnow shares the history of the LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards. On December 5th, the Community Alliance with Family Farms (CAFF) held a field day at the LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyard in Acampo, CA. You may have to network with some other farmers and figure it out.

Livestock 52

Livestock Crop Farming Farming 52

Modern Farmer

DECEMBER 13, 2023

Its agrihood model uses tiny homes as the residences, with 11 families currently sharing the responsibilities of gardening and caring for the chickens, honey bees and orchards. An agrihood’s investment in farmland can help save a family farm and keep more farmland in production.

Farmland 127

Farmland Food Farming Farming 127

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Photo credit: Vilicus Farms Farmers Are Coping with Severe Weather Many of the stories gathered by NSAC members highlight the climate impacts to which farmers are responding. For example, at Eckert’s Farm in Belleville, MO, Chris Eckert has seen extreme freezes killing off parts of his peach orchard.

Pasture 117

Pasture Crop Orchard Farming 117

Modern Farmer

AUGUST 24, 2023

The certification, funded by the Rodale Institute, Patagonia and Dr Bronner’s, insists on five practices to improve soil health: integrating livestock, keeping the soil covered, minimizing soil disturbance, incorporating diversity and zero chemicals, as well as a soil test every three years. Photography courtesy of Cabriejo Ranch.

Food 94

Food Ranching Ecology Fertilizer 94

Modern Farmer

JULY 14, 2023

It’a not just because it’s cheaper and not just because Capay Hills Orchard , his farm just north of Sacramento, is in an area of California that is increasingly drought-prone. Treehouse Almonds sources nuts from roughly 50,000 acres in California’s Central Valley, and Gardiner’s family farm provides about 20,000 of them.

Orchard 74

Orchard Crop Family Farming Farming 74

Caff

JANUARY 26, 2022

CLIMATE SMART FARMER OF THE YEAR: SIERRA ORCHARDS When a small film crew arrived at Sierra Orchards last year for a video shoot on integrated crop livestock systems, the interviewer asked farmer Sean McNamara about his seed mix.

Farming 52

Farming Farming Orchard Food 52