NORTH COAST, Calif. – North Coast Opportunities is bringing together food producers from Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties, along with food and farming support organizations for the fourth annual North Coast Farmers Convergence on Tuesday, March 1.

Food producers, local retailers and local food advocates from across the region will come together at Ridgewood Ranch, just south of Willits, for a facilitated day of networking, sharing skills and ideas, and celebrating the re-building of a resilient local food system.

The convergence is an opportunity for the farming community to come together to learn and connect while honoring the profession of farming.

Farmers, ranchers, dairy producers, seed growers, beekeepers, grain growers, vendors, buyers, retailers and food producer supporters from organizations like California FarmLink, Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the Grange Farm School will join arms to build a network of support while sharing best practices.

There will be two keynote messages.

Farmer Paul Kaiser of Singing Frogs Farm will share philosophies and strategies around building a farm that lasts. 

Mendo Lake Food Hub Coordinator John Bailey will reveal plans for the second year of the Food Hub, including an introduction of the Grown Local brand.

In addition, Steve May of Surf Market in Gualala will share the success he’s had with the Grown Local branding, which has increased revenue at his locally owned store and increased profits for local food producers.

Event participants also will discuss a range of topics in roundtables, and enjoy two locally produced meals.

“I’ve referred to talks I heard at the third annual convergence multiple times throughout the year,” said Caroline Radice of Black Dog Farm. “It was worth every minute that I attended, and I can’t wait to go again this year.”

The event is supported by many local sponsors, including Mendo Lake Credit Union, Mendocino County Farm Bureau, Ukiah Natural Foods Co-Op, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, University of California Research and Extension Center Services, Mendo Lake Food Hub, Grown Local Mendo/Lake, West Company, Dripworks and the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

“It’s inspiring to see our local food producers, schools, supporters, and businesses breathe life into the vision of a vibrant and resilient local food system,” said Miles Gordon, food systems director at North Coast Opportunities. “Together we’re a building a structure that will benefit every aspect of our local community. The North Coast Farmers Convergence is an opportunity for folks to gain access to resources, people, and programs they may not have known existed. Our intent is to have convergence attendees leave the event prepared, and inspired for the growing season ahead.”

A small registration fee includes a breakfast snack, a local lunch and drinks. Attendees must register in advance, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds and scholarships are available.

Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged by visiting http://2016convergence.brownpapertickets.com/ .

For more information about the convergence, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-467-3210.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State Sen. Mike McGuire’s bill to renew special state legislation allowing Lake County teens to earn valuable work experience and job training during the summer months in pear packing plants received unanimous support today in its second committee hearing.

SB 702 passed 7-0 in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will head to the Senate floor for a vote next week.

“Given the economic importance of the famous Lake County pear crop, and the longtime tradition of Lake County residents working the harvest, we’re excited to work with growers from throughout the County to advance this legislation and job training program,” said McGuire, who represents Lake County.

“The best pears in the world come from Lake County and each year during the pear harvest, teenagers learn valuable on-the-job training and skills that can’t be replicated in a classroom,” McGuire said.

The special exemption in state law allows pear packing plants in Lake County to employ 16 and 17 year olds for up to 10 hours per day during the short peak harvest season – four to six weeks in the late summer months, when school is not in session.

The special exemption receives rigorous oversight from the State Labor Commissioner's office and all work permits are overseen by the Lake County Office of Education.

SB 702, the Lake County Teen Employment and Training Act, would simply extend the exemption for Lake County until January 2027 and maintain all the existing stringent requirements for employers to receive the exemption.

To ensure robust oversight, SB 702 requires an additional report from the labor commissioner to be submitted to the legislature.

All employers will still be subject to annual, robust audits to ensure compliance with state laws and to protect all Lake County workers.

SB 702, co-authored by Lake County’s Assemblyman Bill Dodd, was unanimously approved last week in its first hearing by the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forty percent of California pears shipped to the fresh market come from one county – Lake.

And unlike many other tree crops, pears become ripe within a short time window and they are highly perishable. That means that local pear growers need a flood of workers to help pick and pack pears for up to a month and a half each summer.

Generations of Lake County residents have worked the pear harvest to ensure those sweet and juicy delicacies can be delivered to store shelves throughout the nation.

For decades, Lake County teenagers have worked in local pear packing plants, getting valuable work skills and training.

Special state legislation has been introduced every five years to ensure this tradition lives on, allowing local teenagers to participate in Lake County’s pear harvest.

The special exemption in state law allows pear packing plants in rural Lake County to employ 16- and 17-year-olds for up to 10 hours per day during the short peak harvest season – four to six weeks in the late summer months, when school is not in session.

“Given the economic importance of the famous Lake County pear crop, and the longtime tradition of Lake County residents working the harvest, we’re excited to work with growers from throughout the County to advance this legislation and job training program,” Lake County’s Sen. Mike McGuire said. “The best pears in the world come from Lake County and each year during the pear harvest, teenagers learn valuable on-the-job training and skills that can’t be replicated in a classroom.”

SB 702, the Lake County Teen Employment and Training Act, would simply extend the exemption for Lake County until January 2027 and maintain all the existing stringent requirements for employers to receive the exemption.

To ensure adequate oversight, SB 702 requires an additional report from the labor commissioner to be submitted to the legislature.

All employers will still be subject to annual audits to ensure compliance with state laws and to protect all Lake County workers.

SB 702, co-authored by Lake County’s Assemblymember Bill Dodd, was introduced last week and was approved Wednesday in its first hearing by the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.

The committee voted unanimously, approving the legislation and sending it to the Senate Appropriations committee.

During Wednesday morning’s committee hearing, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Noelle Creamers with the California Farm Bureau and Louie Brown with the California Fresh Fruit Association spoke in support of SB 702. The Lake County Office of Education administers all of the exemption work permits.

Toni Scully of Scully Packing Co. in Lake County was also present at the hearing.

“For generations, Lake County students have worked summer jobs in the pear sheds – it’s a way of life in Lake County and we’re excited to work with Sen. McGuire on this important program. This program enables students to earn money, gain valuable life experiences and good work habits so they go into their future careers with confidence and skill,” said Scully.