Congressman Carbajal Headlines Latino Farmer Conference Held Today

SANTA MARIA, Calif., Nov. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The fourth annual Growing Together Latino Farmer Conference is being held today, in Santa Maria, Calif. More than 200 farmers, along with representatives from local agriculture businesses, are in attendance.

"Hispanic farmers and ranchers are a growing demographic in California and on the Central Coast, so I'm thrilled that this year's annual Latino Farmer Conference is being held in Santa Maria," said Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24). "The conference gives Latino farmers support, education, and networking opportunities that help them thrive in the agricultural industry."

Congressman Carbajal's remarks kicked off the event, followed by an opening keynote address by farmers from Rancho La Familia Farm, vegetable and strawberry growers from Santa Maria.

Hosted by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the conference is open to all farmers and ranchers, yet is uniquely tailored towards Spanish-speaking growers. The program will be translated into English, with translation headsets. Conducting the conference in Spanish will provide an enriched learning experience.

Six different, educational workshops are following the opening remarks.  The courses will be held in two, 90-minute blocks. This allows each attendee to choose two different subjects of interest throughout the day. The workshop topics will cover: Access to Capital and USDA Resources; Soil Health; Efficient Use of Water; Food Safety Requirements; Regulations for Farmworker Health and Safety and Marketing. The conference will conclude with a buyer panel representing a diverse cross section of California agriculture.

NCAT, a national nonprofit organization with offices in six states including California has been promoting sustainable living for over 35 years. In recent years, their agriculture work has focused on underserved small-scale intensive farming, urban farming, and local foods; assistance to small farmers and beginning and new farmers.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is the lead USDA partner in this conference. NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935. For more information on NRCS, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service