In a nutshell, SFREC aims to bring together past, present, and future agriculturists and conservationists in the region who have an interest in discussing the opportunities and challenges associated with farming and ranching in this area and where the industry is headed in the coming years. The intended outcomes include:
- A compelling contribution to the existing extension efforts to create connections and interest in agriculture
- A tool to promote and enable the transfer of knowledge and skills from seasoned professionals to those entering and planning a career pathway in farming and ranching
- An enhanced awareness of the role of local agriculture in a broader sense
The involvement of youth is a central component of the forum. Through collaboration with farmers, ranchers, and agency representatives, high-school aged students from adjacent counties will learn and share information about specific topics under the theme of “The Future of Farming and Ranching in the Sierra Foothills”.
“As a retired ag teacher, I have seen the struggle that students experience between simply having the desire to go into farming or ranching, and grasping the realistic details involved with that livelihood. Working with local producers who have the first-hand experience and know-how will be a great learning opportunity for our future agriculturists,” said Karen Henderson, advisory committee member and Live Wire Products representative.
Be on the lookout for more information and marketing flyers for this inaugural event at the Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center.