Resources

AGRITOURISM, NATURE MANUAL

Agritourism and Nature Tourism in California: A How-To Manual for Farmers and Ranchers, newly revised. Ellen Rilla and Holly George, UC Cooperative Extension, 159 pages, 2005, UC ANR Publications. Whether as an opportunity for curious urban dwellers to find out more about the food they eat, as a welcome weekend escape from an urban environment, or as a vacation destination - agritourism is growing. How can those interested take advantage of the trend? Take a look at this manual, focused on helping individuals decide it agritourism is the right choice. Included are hands-on activities that help assess, plan, develop, and evaluate a farm or ranch's tourism potential, from U-pick orchards to bird watching, trail rides to farm tours. Based on the best-selling handbook by the same authors released in 2002 through the University of California's renowned Small Farm Center, this updated full-color manual can easily be described as "a completely new book." $25. To order, go to http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/InOrder/Shop/ItemDetails.asp?ItemNo=3484

land grant scholarship

Engaging Campus and Community. The Practice of Public Scholarship in the State and Land-Grant University System, by Scott J. Peters, Nicholas R. Jordan, Margaret Adamek and Theodore R. Alter (Eds.), Dayton, OH: Kettering Foundation Press, 499 pages, 2005. Colleges and universities are increasingly being asked to address economic, social and environmental challenges. How should they respond? Engaging Campus and Community examines the practice of public scholarship as a means for academic professionals and students to join with external partners in addressing pressing issues. The book presents and analyzes eight case studies of public scholarship about community-university work in agricultural and food systems sustainability. David Campbell of the UC Davis human and community development department and Gail Feenstra, UC SAREP, co-authored the first case study chapter, "Community Food Systems and the Work of Public Scholarship." They describe how they have worked with citizens to support and evaluate sustainable community food systems in California, including ongoing work in Placer County. The authors draw lessons from this work that has broad relevance for the larger movement to renew higher educations' civic mission and work. $24.95. To order book, call (800) 600-4060 or email ecruffolo@ec-ruffolo.com.

URBAN EDGE AG PARKS TOOLKIT

Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAGE), a nonprofit educational organization, is offering The Urban Edge Agricultural Parks Toolkit, a comprehensive guide for public and private landowners who want to establish agriculture as a valued urban-edge amenity. Park working agriculture and part parkland, AgParks are places that provide affordable land, shared infrastructure, and direct marketing opportunities for small farmers; and fresh food and an educational, environmental and aesthetic amenity for nearby communities. The Toolkit was produced by SAGE with funding form the USDA Risk Management Agency, in collaboration with Bay Area Economics, Wallace Roberts & Todd, and the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association. To download a copy of the Toolkit, go to SAGE's Web site at www.sagecenter.org.