[Ccpg] SARC announcements for Sept.SLO CA

Thu Sep 2 19:54:39 PDT 2004

Hello all 

Hope you’ve had an enjoyable summer.  We are still in the midst of a busy
season at the Organic Farm.  We expanded our CSA program to 85 memberships 
this
year and acreage under production tripled this summer!  Farm staff and interns
have done a wonderful job keeping it all flowing smoothly.  Lots to look
forward to with the SARC this coming year  a sustainable agriculture lecture
series, sustainable farming and building workshops and a website coming soon.

In the meantime, here are a few community events (& more) that may be of
interest to you:

1. Ca. Rare Fruit Grower’s FRUIT TASTING this Saturday at Cal Poly (9/4)
2. Jeffrey Smith, best-selling author on GE CROPS to speak in SLO (9/8)
3. Organic GARDENING GROUP forming in SLO (9/9)
4. ORGANIC EXPORT conference for growers and industry in So. Cal  (9/17)
5. FEAST IN THE FIELD with organic foods Chef Tim Bollé at Huasna Farm (9/18)
6. LIVESTOCK IN PERMACULTURE workshop with Joel Salatin (9/18)
7. NATURAL BUILDING PIONEER Joseph F. Kennedy at Ludwig Center (9/22)
8. Commercial BIO-CONTROL conference in Colorado (10/1-2)
9. FARM AND NATURE CENTER DIRECTOR position open near Davis (due 10/15)
10. Future JOB OPPORTUNITIES at Cal. Dept. of Pesticide Regulations (DPR)

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1.   THIS Saturday afternoon the local chapter of the California Rare Fruit
Growers is hosting the Dave Wilson Fruit Tasting Party at Cal Poly!  It starts
at 1 p.m. at the Crops Unit on the campus of Cal Poly on the corner of 
Highland
and Mt. Bishop Roads.  The Dave Wilson Nursery will bring 30 to 40 of the 
"late
season" fresh fruits to taste.  It is free and open to the public.  You may
come anytime between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.  Bring your family, your neighbors, and
friends.   Free parking too.

******************************************************************************
2.  Jeffrey Smith, author of international bestseller Seeds of Deception, will
give a talk next Wednesday on issues surrounding the growing of genetically
engineered (GE) crops.  This event will be hosted by the sponsors of Measure Q
(which would prohibit GE crops in this county)*, and will provide a good
opportunity to ask questions about the initiative from those who wrote it.
Open to the public free of charge.  Wednesday, September 08, at 7:00 PM.
Place: Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa Street, SLO.
*Note: Measure Q, if passed, would not apply to research done at Cal Poly and
is neither endorsed nor opposed by the University.

*****************************************************************************
3.  LOCAL GARDENERS: a first get-together and planning session will be held on
Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 pm. to talk about the formation of an organic
gardening support group.  It will be held at QuietStar Center for
Transformation at 11549 Los Osos Valley Rd.  There is parking in the rear off
of El Tigre (go down Madonna away from SLO and turn right on El Tigre), the
next to the last driveway.  For detailed directions you can check their 
website
(QuietStar.com/slo.htm).  Organized by Uma Bingham (786-4639).

******************************************************************************
4.  California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and co-hosts Western United
States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), Western Growers and the
California League of Food Processors invite you to attend a brand new export
event for Southern California, the COPES Export Seminar.  “ORGANIC EXPORT:
Succeeding in the global marketplace.”   Sept. 17th.  Hyatt Regency, Garden
Grove, CA.  Worldwide demand for organic agricultural products is steadily on
the rise and the opportunities have never been greater for California 
companies
who know how to navigate the often-challenging organic export terrain.  This
conference will provide up-to-date information on how to make the most of 
these
opportunities.  Who Should Attend: Growers, procesors and shippers who want to
develop a competitive edge in the global marketplace.  See registration 
website
for details:  http://www.acteva.com//booking.cfm?bevaID=71679

*****************************************************************************
5.  Organic Chef Tim Bollé of Affaire L’Amour will be presenting a “FEAST IN
THE FIELD” at Huasna Valley Farm in Arroyo Grande, CA at 3:00 p.m. Saturday,
September 18, 2004.  It will be an unforgettable afternoon of a “restaurant
under the sky” featuring locally grown sustainable produce from Huasna Valley
Farm, as well as, wines from Rancho Arroyo Grande and local seafood. A farm
tour will be led by farmers Ron and Jenn Skinner. A multi-course dinner
prepared by Chef Tim Bollé of Affaire L’Amour will be served family style with
complimentary wine chosen for each course. The length of the event will be 
four
to five hours.  A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to
San Luis Obispo County’s Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign
(www.slobuyfreshbuylocal.org).  Seating is limited for this event, and the 
cost
is $60.00 per person. To reserve, contact the Bollés at (805) 473-3389 or 
visit
www.affairelamour.com for more information.

****************************************************************************
6.  Special one-day intensive on LIVESTOCK IN PERMACULTURE DESIGN with Joel
Salatin in Grass Valley, CA on September 18th, 9am-5pm. This is part of a
Permaculture Design Certification Course taught by: David Blume, Joel Salatin,
Bob Theis and other experts organized by the The International Institute for
Ecological Agriculture running from September 11-26, 2004 in Nevada City, CA.
Joel Salatin (of Polyface Farm in Swoope, VA.) is author of “You Can Farm” and
a pioneer of the modern pastured animal movement.  A unique opportunity to 
hear
about his methods!  For more information, visit:
http://www.permaculture.com/permaculture/courses/Joelgrassvalley.htm .

*************************************************************************
7.  NATURAL BUILDING PIONEER Joseph F. Kennedy will lead an evening of
exploration of the world of natural building with a slide show and book 
signing
event of the books The Art of Natural Building, and the recently released
Building Without Borders.  Joseph F. Kennedy is a designer, builder, writer,
artist, educator and cofounder of Builders Without Borders
(www.builderswithoutborders.org).  A fresh look at age old building
technologies, The Art of Natural Building offers a thorough overview of
material, techniques and resources from the leaders of the modern day
movement.  Wed., Sept 22, 2004, 7 pm at the Ludwig Center on Santa Rosa St. in
downtown SLO. $5 donation requested.

**************************************************************************
8.  “Commercial Bio-control: Private Industry and Public Support” a
professional conference will be held October 1-2, 2004 in Colorado Springs,
CO.  The program includes sessions intended to interest all stakeholders in 
the
commercial biocontrol industry, provoking thought and discussion on important
topics affecting the industry.  For more information, and to register, visit
www.anbp.org.

***************************************************************************
9.  The Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland (near Davis) is now
receiving applications for a FARM AND NATURE CENTER DIRECTOR position.
Application deadline (Resume and Cover Letter) is October 15th, 2004.
Interviews held immediately thereafter.  Start Date: ASAP, with January 1 at
the latest.  For More Information: call or email Mary Kimball, 
Director:  (530)
795-1520, mary at landbasedlearning.org.  The mission of the Center for 
Land-Based
Learning is to provide youth with hands-on learning experiences in natural and
agricultural systems to develop their personal strengths, critical thinking
skills, social responsibility and respect for the critical interplay of food
production, culture and nature.  The Farm and Nature Center Director is a full-
time, core staff position of the Center for Land-Based Learning, responsible
for overseeing the direction and operations of a growing 25 acre educational
facility including teaching and storage barns, a greenhouse and nursery
facility, livestock pens, a demonstration garden and hedgerow, pond and
riparian restoration features.  Must have farming experience and excellent
interpersonal skills.  Competitive salary and benefits.

****************************************************************************
10.  Future JOB OPPORTUNITIES at California Department of Pesticide Regulation
(www.cdpr.ca.gov).  The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is
giving an examination to develop a list of Associate Environmental Research
Scientists (AERS) for future hiring needs.  Scientists hired from this list in
the Pest Management and Licensing Branch at DPR develop and promote pest
management systems that prevent environmental problems as part of a multi-
disciplinary team.  They assess research and conduct outreach on integrated
pest management systems in both agricultural and urban settings.  They design
and coordinate the implementation of legislation including regulation and
report writing.  Background in integrated pest management, statistical skills,
strong writing and public speaking skills needed.  For detailed information
regarding the AERS Classification Specification go to
<http://www.dpa.ca.gov/textdocs/specs/s6/s6170.txt> .
Salary: $51,792 - $62,496 - Includes major medical, dental and retirement
benefits.  How to Apply: Fill out a State of California Examination 
Application
(Form STD 678) available from
<http://www.spb.ca.gov/employment/employment_forms_brochures.htm>
or call (916) 322-4553.

..................................................
Hunter Francis
Program Coordinator
Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium
c/o Horticulture and Crop Science Department
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, California  93407
(805)756-5086
.................................................

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