March 1996
Farmers, Researchers Collaborate to Help Ag, Benefit Consumers
Farm advisors and farmers are working together in a Placer County agricultural marketing program to promote production and sales of local ag products; farm advisors, elementary school teachers, college faculty, and community members in Arcata, Humboldt County are collaborating on a student-run community farm involving refugee farmers to promote a more sustainable local food system; researchers, farmers' markets, churches and local agencies are developing a community supported agriculture project in a low-income Los Angeles neighborhood. These and other community development and public policy projects, in addition to dozens of ag production grants, were funded by the Davis-based statewide UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP), and are profiled in the new SAREP Progress Report 1993-95. "We are very excited at the way the community development projects are proceeding," says Gail Feenstra, SAREP's nutritionist and food systems analyst. "A tremendous variety of projects have benefited farmers and consumers, and have contributed to the food security and economic development of particular areas." The Progress Report, plus much more information from UC SAREP, is available on the Internet at http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu
Media Contacts:
Lyra Halprin, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu
