Agriculture: Vegetables, Fruit and Ornamentals

New Individual Development Account Program
We are looking for farmers with under 10 years of experience who want to develop a sound business plan, start saving some money ($100-$150 per month), attend workshops to help them in a variety of topics, and receive a grant at the end of the 18 months for capital improvements for their farm business. Applicants need to meet financial criteria. The farmers enrolled in this program will meet monthly in the winter to network, share ideas, and learn together at workshops. If you are interested, please call Deborah Giraud at 445-7351. For an application go to: IDA Application Form

Deborah Giraud serves the ornamental, vegetable, and fruit farmers of the county providing information on cultural practices, crop production, and pest control. She also works on local agricultural land use issues, and Community Development. Projects Include:

Researching biological control of aphids, lily bulb storage conditions, and nematode control for the cut flower industry
Researching landscape plant water use via a test plot at the Hopland Field Station
Farm succession: workshops and technical services to landowners to plan and implement strategies for the next generation of farmers

For information on how Cooperative Extension agents and advisors can provide programming in Farm and Ranch Succession visit the following link:
Providing Extension Programming in Farm Succession