USDA Announces Business of Farming Workshop Series in California

Agricultural producers are invited to attend regional workshops in Bakersfield, Fresno and Sacramento that will assist farmers with accessing capital. The half-day workshops will provide essential business building resources. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Beginning Farmer and Rancher initiative has determined that Black farmers and urban farmers are under-represented in program participation and as a community of support, organizations are making a concerted effort to create awareness of USDA resources for farmers & ranchers in California. 

These workshops are a partnership between the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher initiative, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), California Department of Food and Agriculture Equity Officer, California Farm Bureau Federation, West Fresno Family Resource Center and University of La Verne, Small Business Administration, SCORE Mentors and Mission Community Services Corporation and Women’s Business Center in Kern County.

The three workshops will build on one another and give an overview of the ‘Growing Together’ Black Farmer Conference with Urban Farmers set for Oct. 22, 2021, in Fresno. The workshops will be followed by two 30-minute sessions on developing financial statements with USDA Farm Loan Programs and a business resources panel with business partners. During the afternoon, business partners will be available for one-on-one meetings with participants. The workshops were developed to share business insight and industry trade advice while highlighting resources for new and beginning farmers and ranchers for building business acumen and accessing capital.

See below for workshop dates, time, location and topics: 

• Tuesday, August 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Topic: Eligibility and Loan Packages (USDA FSA) & How we Support your Business (partner panel)
  • Location:

Sacramento County Farm Bureau
2600 River Plaza Drive
Sacramento, CA 95833

• Wednesday, August 25 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Topics: Developing Balance Sheets (USDA FSA) & Business Management Strategies (partner panel)
• Location:

Fresno County Farm Bureau

1274 W. Hedges Ave

Fresno, CA 93728

• Friday, August 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Topics: Developing Income & Expense Statements (USDA FSA) & Building a Relationship with your Lender (partner panel)
• Location:

University of La Verne, Bakersfield

10800 Stockdale Hwy

Bakersfield, CA 9331

Registration

To RSVP or for more information contact Yolanda Randles at yrandles@wfresnofrc.org, Brooke Raffaele at

brooke.raffaele@usda.gov, or Victor M. Hernandez at victor.hernandez@usda.gov

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in these workshops should contact Brooke Raffaele at 530-219-7747 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.