News

New series of organic grower guides available from CASFS

September 26, 2017

Free organic grower guides offer information on specialty crop production for small- and medium-scale growers

CASFS Apprenticeship grad champions farmworker justice

September 18, 2017

Janaki Jagannath leads a coalition of farmworker justice groups in California's Central Valley.

USDA awards $2.5 million grant to UC Santa Cruz to expand organic strawberry research

August 28, 2017

UC Santa Cruz researchers who have pioneered alternatives to methyl bromide in commercial strawberry production have received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will take their work national.

Dining for Farmers supports Farm & Garden's apprenticeship training programs

August 17, 2017

Seven of Santa Cruz County's best restaurants are participating in the "Dining for Farmers" dinner series, donating a portion of their proceeds to apprenticeship training programs.

Dining for Farmers Dinner Series kicks off

August 14, 2017

The Dining for Farmers Dinner Series supports the Apprenticeship's training programs at the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden. Enjoy a meal at your favorite local restaurant while supporting new organic farmers and gardeners!

Exploring the UCSC Farm & Garden’s history through faculty research

August 7, 2017

Faculty and students in the division of social sciences show how the UCSC Farm and Alan Chadwick Garden play a crucial role in their research at farm and garden’s recent First Fifty Celebration.

UC Santa Cruz celebrates 50 years of organic farming

August 03, 2017

The three-day celebration culminated with a joyful dinner presided over by famed chef, restaurateur, and organic food advocate Alice Waters.

Applications open for 2018 Apprenticeship, new scholarship support available

July 25, 2017

Applications are open for the 2018 Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture, with new scholarship support available to cover course fees.

Growing farmers and the food movement for 50 years

July 10, 2017

The experiment in organic gardening that began at UC Santa Cruz in 1967 is now the oldest university-based organic research and education facility in the country.

Four students receive 2017-18 Global Food Initiative Fellowships

July 6, 2017

Four UC Santa Cruz students have been names as 2017-18 Global Food Initiative (GFI) fellows, working to improve local and international food systems.

CASFS researcher Tim Galarneau's work helps inspire new "hunger-free campus" legislation

July 3, 2017

Work by CASFS researcher Tim Galarneau to implement support for students facing food insecurity has helped garner state support for "hunger free campus" funding.

CASFS Appprenticeship grad featured on Delicious Revolution podcast

July 1, 2017

CASFS Apprenticeship grad Aileen Suzara's work is featured on the Delicious Revolution podcast.

CASFS researcher Tim Galarneau featured in article on UC sustainability work

June 15, 2017

CASFS researcher Tim Galarneau discusses the progress of UC system efforts to increase the amount of sustainable food being sourced and served at campus dining halls and other outlets.

Farm & Garden’s Market Cart produce stand opens June 20

June 13, 2017

Celebrate the start of summer on Tuesday, June 20, when the Farm & Garden’s Market Cart opens for 2017.

Delicious Revolution podcast features CASFS Apprenticeship grad Suzi Grady

June 6, 2017

Apprenticeship grad Suzi Grady is interviewed about the Petaluma Bounty project that she heads. Petaluma Bounty is an innovative food access program in Sonoma County, California.

Farm to Table Talk podcast on Farm & Garden's 50th anniversary

May 22, 2017

Farm to Table Talk interviewed CASFS excecutive director Daniel Press and principal editor Martha Brown on the history of the Farm & Garden and the upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration

From survival mode to sustainability leader

May 9, 2017

How a CASFS alum helped develop a food community in San Francisco — thanks to a start at UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC students - Apply for Global Food Initiative 2017-2018 Fellowships

May 8, 2017

UCSC students - Apply for Global Food Initiative 2017-2018 Fellowships by Friday, May 19

From founding farmer to fair food movement champion

April 25, 2017

Oran Hesterman shares how his experiences at the UCSC Farm & Garden set him on a life’s journey to make sustainable food accessible and equitable.

UC Santa Cruz Magazine highlights organic strawberry research

April 17, 2017

The spring issue of UC Santa Cruz Magazine highlights the history of organic strawberry research taking place at the UCSC Farm and with local growers.

"Pop Up" article profiles Apprenticeship alumni farms

April 17, 2017

A "Pop Up" article in the UC Santa Cruz Magazine profiles Apprenticeship alumni farms and projects.

San Francisco Chronicle features Chadwick Garden, 50th anniversary

April 17, 2017

The San Francisco Chronicle features the Alan Chadwick Garden and the 50th anniversary of Alan Chadwick's arrival at UC Santa Cruz.

Sign up for Spring Quarter Food Systems Learning Journeys through OPERS

April 3, 2017

Sign up for Spring 2017 Food Systems Learning Journeys through OPERS, starting Tuesday, April 4

Free monthly guided tours of UCSC Farm start Sunday, April 2, 2 pm - 3:30 pm

March 22, 2017

Monthly guided tours of the UCSC Farm start Sunday, April 2. No reservations necessary.

Water wizards: Building an underground savings account to bolster water supply

March 22, 2017

An innovative water-conservation strategy diverts water from overflowing rivers to fallow farmland, where it seeps into the soil and replenishes depleted aquifers.

Garden bed preparation workshop, Saturday, March 25, Alan Chadwick Garden

March 21, 2017

Orin Martin and Caroline Martin will teach a workshop on garden bed preparation at the Chadwick Garden, Saturday, March 25

Hay Barn Open House takes place Sunday, March 19

March 13, 2017

Take a tour and learn about renting the historic Cowell Ranch Hay Barn.

Stacy Philpott's urban ag research featured

March 6, 2017

Professor Stacy Philpott's research on urban agriculture in California and Mexico summarized in UC Mexus write up

Support CASFS Farm & Garden educational programming on Giving Day, March 8

February 27, 2017

On March 8, take part in Giving Day to support CASFS Farm & Garden educational programming

Nina Simon presentation on her new book, The Art of Relevance, Thursday, February 23

February 20, 2017

Planting seeds, growing confidence

February 10, 2017

Innovative nonprofit founder, sustainable farmer and youth advocate Doron Comerchero is this year’s Tony Hill Award winner

FoodWhat?! Celebrates 10th Anniversary

February 7, 2017

"FoodWhat?!", founded by CASFS Farm & Garden Apprenticeship grad Doron Comerchero, celebrates its 10th anniversay

Food Systems Working Group hosts Slug student leadership dinner and mixer, February 1, 4:30 - 9 pm

January 26, 2017

Student leaders of the UCSC Food Systems Working Group and CASFS invite all current and prospective student leaders across orgs, clubs, departments, units, and research labs to come network and learn about each other's projects.

"Can You Dig This?" Free screening and discussion, February 8 at 7 pm, Colleges 9 & 10

January 24, 2017

CASFS is co-sponsoring a talk by Ron Finley, along with a showing of his film "Can You Dig This?" at 7 pm on Wednesday, February 8 at the Colleges 9 & 10 Multipurpose Room. Admission is free.

Cowell Ranch Hay Barn wins architectural awards

January 17, 2017

The Cowell Ranch Hay Barn has won two architectural awards: a 2016 Excellence in Design Honor Award from American Institute of Architects Montana, and the 2017 U.S. WoodWorks Regional Excellence Award from the Wood Products Council.

Steve Gliessman discusses worldwide spread of agroecology

December 27, 2016

Steve Gliessman, founder of UCSC's Agroecology Program (now CASFS), discusses the international expansion of the agroecology movement.

Tend blog features CASFS staff, alumni

December 12, 2016

The new Tend blog features articles written by CASFS staff and alumni on a variety of organic farming topics.

Campus receives $440,000 grant to study sustainable practices for urban agriculture

December 01, 2016

Environmental studies professor Stacy Philpott will lead a research team to explore biodiversity, sustainability, and ecosystem services in urban agricultural landscapes.

UCSC undergraduates - Apply for Measure 43 Food, Health & Wellness grant funding by December 9

November 26, 2016

UCSC undergraduates can apply for grant funding to support education and research related to sustainable food, health, and wellness projects. Deadline to apply is December 9, 2016.

CASFS Apprenticeship grad's farm-to-school work profiled

November 21, 2016

Cowell Ranch Hay Barn available for event rental

November 7, 2016

Rent the Hay Barn for a wedding, conference, or other special event

UC Santa Cruz project wins U.S. agriculture grant to diversify food studies

October 20, 2016

A $275,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help Colleges Nine and Ten at UC Santa Cruz expand projects in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties to promote food security and food justice among predominantly Spanish-speaking, farmworker families.

UC Santa Cruz expands food support options for students

October 18, 2016

UC Santa Cruz students who may be temporarily short on cash for meals or have ongoing needs related to food security now have multiple support options on campus.

Apprenticeship grad featured in Farmer to Farmer interview

October 18, 2016

Apprenticeship grad Matt McCue and UCSC grad Lily Schneider are interviewed for a Farmer to Farmer podcast.

Weekly Produce Pop-Up opens for 2016, Wednesdays in the Quarry Plaza

October 12, 2016

The weekly organic produce "pop-up" cart is open Wednesdays from 12-4 pm in the Quarry Plaza.

National Geographic features former CASFS director, Apprenticeship grad

October 3, 2016

Former CASFS director Steve Gliessman and Apprenticeship graduate Ryan Power are featured in this National Geographic article on dry farming

2016-2017 Campus Food & Garden Guide now available

September 30, 2016

UC Santa Cruz ranks in the top 20 of Sierra magazine’s list of “Cool Schools” in large part because of its dedication to improving the campus food system.

Food System Learning Journeys for Fall 2016

September 27, 2016

Sign up now for this fall's Food Systems Learning Journeys

CASFS hiring food access and student engagement coordinator

September 18, 2016

UC Santa Cruz Farm hosts Fall Harvest Festival Sunday, Sept. 25

September 14, 2016

Fresh produce, music, farm tours, cooking demonstrations, and much more await visitors at the 2016 UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden Fall Harvest Festival, Sunday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Farm to Fork dinner generates support

September 13, 2016

Farm to Fork benefit dinner raised more than $50,000 for Apprenticeship scholarships and other CASFS work

Football, farming, and food security

September 02, 2016

Former NFL star defensive end Kalimba Edwards is on an ambitious mission: He hopes to one day create a self-sustaining food system that can feed the nation’s hungry and homeless.

Organic farming and gardening training program accepts applications in 50th year

August 29, 2016

Aspiring organic farmers and gardeners are invited to apply for the 2017 apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The class of 2017 will mark the 50th year of the Apprenticeship, the longest running university-based organic farming and gardening training program in the U.S.

CASFS alumni's Rise & Root Farm featured

August 29, 2016

Mother Earth Living profiles the farmers of Rise & Root Farm, which was founded by three graduates of the CASFS Farm & Garden Apprenticeship program.

CASFS and CCOF host celebration for Congressman Sam Farr

August 22, 2016

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) are jointly hosting a gathering to celebrate Congressman Sam Farr’s achievements in the organic sector with live music, organic appetizers, and a toast to his career. Congressman Farr has done so much for organic in his 23 years of service. He has championed organic at the state and federal levels and been a steadfast leader in creating and securing funding for organic programs throughout his career.

National conference marks 10 years of growth in sustainable agriculture education

August 03, 2016

With growing numbers of students and educators interested in sustainable agriculture, food justice, and experiential education, the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA) conference held July 29–31 at UC Santa Cruz highlighted hands-on educational efforts that bridge scientific and social issues.

UC president encourages teenage girls to aim high during visit to campus

August 03, 2016

UC President Janet Napolitano visited UC Santa Cruz this week and stopped in on Dickens Universe, UCSC Farm, games and robotics programs, Youth Empowerment Institute, and COSMOS sessions.

Advocates for social and food justice

August 03, 2016

UC Santa Cruz students at the Sustainable Agriculture Educators Association conference show how they advocate for social justice, nutrition security, and food equity.

Linking agriculture and art

August 01, 2016

Harrell Fletcher, a former UC Santa Cruz Farm apprentice who recently created the campus-wide art project Collective Museum, will return as keynote speaker for the sixth annual Farm to Fork benefit dinner.

CASFS Apprenticeship Grad Albie Miles wins publishing award

July 25, 2016

CASFS Farm & Garden Apprenticeship grad and former staff member Albie Miles and his co-authors won the June 2016 Elsevier Atlas award, "recognizing research that could significantly impact people's lives around the world."

CASFS Researcher Tim Galarneau discusses UC student food security

July 18, 2016

CASFS Researcher Tim Galarneau discusses efforts aimed at improving food security for UC students

Chadwick Garden walk and talk on summer crop care, July 16

July 11, 2016

Join Orin Martin and Sky DeMuro for a walk and talk about summer crop care in the Alan Chadwick Garden.

Sustainable Agriculture Education Association National Conference at UCSC July 29-31 - Register Now

June 20, 2016

The National Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA) Conference takes place July 29-31 at UC Santa Cruz.

Five UC Santa Cruz students receive Global Food Initiative Fellowships

June 08, 2016

Five UC Santa Cruz students will team with UCSC faculty and staff to improve campus and community food systems as part of the UC Global Food Initiative’s fellowship program.

UCSC Farm & Garden’s weekly CSA and market cart open for the season June 7

June 01, 2016

The opportunity to obtain fresh, organic produce and flowers from the UC Santa Cruz Farm and Garden opens for the 2016 season beginning Tuesday, June 7.

UC Food Observer profiles CASFS alumni's farm project

May 29, 2016

The UC Food Observer profiles CASFS alumni Jered Lawson and Nancy Vail's Pie Ranch project

Apprenticeship alumni interviewed for Slow Flower podcast

May 23, 2016

Apprenticeship grads Hedda Brorstrom and Seth Chapin were interviewed about their organic cut flower operations and the North Bay Flower Collective.

Thanks for your support on Giving Day!

May 16, 2016

Thanks to the many generous donors who supported the UCSC Farm & Garden's Giving Day fundraiser!

Strawberry and Justice Festival features music, speaker panels, free strawberries

May 11, 2016

This year's annual Strawberry and Justice Festival festival takes place Thursday, May 19 from 4–6:30 p.m. at the Hay Barn at UC Santa Cruz and features live music, free food, and guest speakers.

CASFS alumni featured in Slow Flowers podcast

May 3, 2016

Alumni flower growers Hedda Brorstrom and Seth Chapin are interviewed about their work with the North Bay Flower Collective.

CASFS alumni pioneer new partnerships

April 25, 2016

CASFS Farm & Garden Apprenticeship alumni forge new partnerships with Bay Area companies, Stanford University

UCSC Farm & Garden’s annual spring plant sale takes place April 30 and May 1

April 20, 2016

With winter rains and April showers greening yards and moistening garden beds, the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden’s spring plant sale comes at the perfect time.

Project Works to Improve Vegetable & Strawberry Production

April 18, 2016

This video on the CalCORE project features UCSC researchers working to improve organic vegetable and strawberry production in the Monterey Bay region.

Apply for Global Food Initiative (GFI) Fellowships by May 11

April 11, 2016

UCSC undergraduates and graduate students are encouraged to apply for Global Food Initiative Fellowships for the 2016-17 academic year. The deadline is May 11.

UC Santa Cruz Farm’s CSA program features 5 percent discount through April 1

March 24, 2016

The UC Santa Cruz Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is open for business and accepting new and renewing members.

UCSC grad student crowdfunds to support bee research

March 21, 2016

UCSC graduate student Hamutahl Cohn seeks support for her research on bee populations.

Learning from the ground up: Students find experiential learning at all levels

March 11, 2016

The University of California offers more than 200 courses and 150 programs related to experiential learning in food and sustainable agriculture systems.

CASFS Education Coordinator Damian Parr Co-Authors Experiential Learning Guide

February 26, 2016

CASFS education coordinator Damian Parr co-authors "Learning from the Ground Up" as part of Global Food Initiative project.

Edible East Bay Profiles CASFS Apprenticeship Grad

February 19, 2016

Edible East Bay profiles CASFS Apprenticeship grad Joy Moore and her youth gardening project.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition honors UC Santa Cruz alumnus and sustainability champion, Mark Lipson

February 05, 2016

The award was made to honor Lipson’s years of service to the organic and sustainable agriculture movement, and his groundbreaking work on Capitol Hill shepherding in historic changes.

CASFS Farm & Garden Alumni Farms Featured in Edible Silicon Valley

February 1, 2016

CASFS Farm & Garden Alumni farms are featured in this Edible Silicon Valley article

UC’s Global Food Initiative addresses student food security challenge

January 19, 2016

It’s hard to do your best academically when you’re not eating well, but that’s the dilemma facing many University of California students.

CASFS Director Pens Op-Ed on Global Warming

January 11, 2016

CASFS Apprenticeship Grad Wins CCOF Foundations's Future Organic Farmer Award

December 16, 2015

Apprenticeship graduate Sunyoung Yang, a graduate of the CASFS Apprenticeship program, has received CCOF Foundation's Future Organic Farmer Award

CASFS Grad's Study of USDA Research Funding Published

November 23, 2015

CASFS grad's research on USDA funding published, showing that less than 15% of research and education grants support agroecology.

CASFS Apprenticeship Alumni Farm Featured

November 11, 2015

Apprenticeship alumni Nancy Vail and Jered Lawson are co-founders of Pie Ranch, which teamed up with a local land trust organization to create a permanent agricultural easement

CASFS Grad Anita Adalja Honored at White House

October 26, 2015

CASFS Apprenitceship grad Anita Adalja is honored as a White House Champion of Change.

CASFS Interim Director to Speak at Research Frontiers Evening

October 26, 2015

CASFS Interim Director Stacy Philpott will present her urban agroecology work at the Social Sciences Research Frontiers Evening.

Four UC Santa Cruz students receive Global Food Initiative fellowships

October 22, 2015

Four UC Santa Cruz students have received $4,000 UC Global Food Initiative fellowships for the 2015–2016 academic year.

CASFS Apprenticeship Grad Profiled

October 14, 2015

"Upstater" Profiles CASFS Apprenticeship graduate Leon Vehaba, manager of the Poughkeepsie Farm Project

Assistant Garden Manager Job Available at CASFS

October 5, 2015

An assistant garden manager position is available to help manage the gardens and greenhouses at the UCSC Farm.

Bugs in an urban jungle: What green spaces mean for ecology and community

October 01, 2015

Since 2013, UC Santa Cruz environmental studies professor Stacy Philpott has studied insect biodiversity in urban gardens to better understand the ecological role these green spaces provide.

Alice Waters visits the UCSC Farm & Garden

September 28, 2015

Photos from Waters intimate tour of the farm, where she conversed with educators on teaching sustainability, met with farm managers bringing the agricultural experience to urban campuses, and chatted with apprentices about ways to inspire the next generation.

Paying it forward: annual Farm to Fork event honors past and future farmers

September 16, 2015

The Farm to Fork dinner series has supported more than 150 apprentices through scholarships and subsidized meal plans.

UCSC Farm hosts Fall Harvest Festival Sunday, Sept 27

September 11, 2015

Celebrate fall’s arrival with pumpkins, music, great food, a fall plant sale, farm tours, and much more at the UCSC Farm & Garden’s Fall Harvest Festival, coming up on Sunday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UC Santa Cruz’s 30-acre organic farm.

In soil we trust: How military veterans learn to become organic farmers at UC Santa Cruz

September 10, 2015

Agriculture is an appealing career option for many soldiers transitioning to civilian life, say veterans enrolled in the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at UC Santa Cruz.

Join the Hay Barn Celebration September 12

August 8, 2015

Join the Hay Barn Celebration September 12

CASFS Researcher Addresses UC Student Food Insecurity

May 21, 2015

CASFS researcher Tim Galarneau co-chairs the UC Global Food Initiative subcommittee addressing food insecurity issues facing UC students.

CASFS updates instructor's manual for teaching small farm direct marketing

May 7, 2015

The new edition of "Teaching Direct Marketing and Small Farm Viability: Resources for Instructors," 2nd Edition, draws on nearly 50 years of experience teaching beginning organic farmers and gardeners at the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden Apprenticeship.

Tim Galarneau Interviewed About UC Food Pantry Efforts

March 23, 2015

CASFS researcher Tim Galarneau was interviewed about efforts to increase UC campus food pantry programs for students.

Campus farm adds Quarry Field to further farming, education, and research

February 10, 2015

Freshly tilled soil on the west side of Hagar marks the start of the UC Santa Cruz Farm’s latest effort in growing food for campus and expanding the research and education work of the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS).

CASFS Co-Hosts Inaugural California Higher Education Food Summit

January 20, 2015

CASFS Co-Hosts Inaugural California Higher Education Food Summit, "A Taste of Justice," at UC Santa Barbara

CASFS to Participate in New UC Global Food Initiative

July 3, 2014

Sustainable agriculture training, research, and outreach work will be part of the new UC Global Food Initiative announced by UC President.

Deconstruction begins of historic Cowell Ranch barn

March 21, 2014

Crews began dismantling the historic Cowell Ranch hay barn Tuesday (March 18), the first step in a multi-year process to rebuild it as a home for many of UCSC's leading environmental and sustainability programs.

Michael Pollan Tours Farm

December 11, 2012

Author and UC Berkeley journalism professor Michael Pollan visited the UC Santa Cruz CASFS Farm on October 25 before taking part in a panel discussion later that evening at Santa Cruz High School.

USDA grant aids organic farming training program at UC Santa Cruz

August 21, 2012

Training for beginning organic farmers on the Central Coast will get a significant boost from a three-year U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at UC Santa Cruz.