Peaches yielded the sweet smell of success
By Vicky Boyd Standing on the family’s original “Home Ranch” near Ballico, California, Gail Ferrari Martin recently described the arduous journey her father took from a teenager on his own to becoming one of the world’s top canning peach producers. To honor...
Planting the Seed
Aunt’s words of wisdom spurred support for farmland conservation By Vicky Boyd Growing up, Webster Williams’ and Bonner Mendez’s aunt — Alberta Webster Lewallen — used to tell them, “You can never create more land. Don’t ever sell the land.” This was something...
The Road to Conservation
The Road to ConservationBy Vicky Boyd The family history of Jim Jorgensen and his sisters, Joanne Mills and Janice Jorgensen, is deeply rooted in California agriculture. The three were raised on a farm where their parents, William P. and Elinor Jorgensen, grew walnuts...
Katie Otto Joins CFT Team
The California Farmland Trust (CFT) is pleased to announce Katie Otto as their new Development and Operations Director. She joins the CFT team after 12 years with the California FFA Foundation (Foundation) and brings her deep roots and experience with agriculture,...
Last Sweet Potato Crop…
A final sweet potato crop on a forever farm Jim Alvernaz, a third-generation sweet potato farmer, owns Alvernaz Farms with his wife Collette, near Livingston, and has been growing sweet potatoes his whole life. His grandfather came from the Azores to Atwater where he...
Sweet Potato Casserole
This simple dish is a staple for the holiday season. It’s also an excuse to have dessert as part of the main course! INGREDIENTS 5 pre-baked sweet potatoes 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup butter (soft) 1/3 cup evaporated milk (can...
Raley’s Field Trips on the Farm – Ms.Young
It was a wonderful day for a field trip! Ms.Young’s class came out to learn about chickens, goats, composting, and different types of crops at First Generation Farmers. After that, the class got a behind the scenes look at Brentwood Raley’s along with...
Concrete California: Jean Okuye’s Story
Find the Concrete California video Trailer and Full Length Documentary here.
Raley’s Field Trips on the Farm – Ms. Land
It was such a beautiful day in Brentwood for a field trip! Ms. Land’s class was able to come out for a field trip at First Generation Farmers and learned all about chickens, goats, vermicomposting and how insects are so helpful! From there, her class was...
Concrete California
A Family’s Story of Perseverance To Jean Okuye, nothing is more important than her family and friends. That’s why, in 1980, Jean didn’t hesitate when a sudden death left untended the family farm where her husband Paul was raised. She and Paul immediately...
Mendez River Ranch
Mendez River Ranch is approximately 252 acres of walnut orchards and hay fields. Located in San Joaquin county, it offers unique soils perfect for growing crops. This property was permanently protected by an ag conservation easement with funding provided by USDA...
Williams Farm
Williams Farm is approximately 110 acres of walnut orchards. With this properties prime and unique soils in San Joaquin county, it was perfect for an ag conservation easement. This project closed with funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in...
Raley’s Field Trips on the Farm – Ms. Ostlund
What a beautiful day for a field trip! Ms. Ostlund’s class from Garin Elementary had a great time visiting First Generation Farmers – from learning about chickens and goats, even getting to see a 48 hour old kid (baby goat) to learning about compost and so...
CA Growin’ Grapes with Dennis Meisner
Dennis Meisner makes it forever Our friend, and farmer, Dennis Meisner Jr. worked with CFT and the California Department of Conservation to place a conservation easement over his family’s three properties, two of which are adjoining. The easement will forever protect...
Squash, Grape and Tahini Salad
Ingredients 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons sesame tahini 1 small clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 1/2...