Wednesday, May 18, 2011 

Santa Barbara Agrifood System Workshop

Localizing Santa Barbara County agrifood systems: research, action and policy.

Friday, 20 May 2011, 12:00p-6:30p
Saturday, 21 May 2011, 8:00a-7:30p

McCune Conference Center (HSSB 6020), UCSB

 

Workshop Schedule

The Santa Barbara County Agrifood Systems Research Group is hosting a workshop at UCSB on the Santa Barbara agrifood system. The agrifood system includes everything from production inputs, on-farm production, distribution, processing, preparation, and consumption, to the effects of such factors on the community, human nutrition, the economy and the environment.

The workshop will bring together participants in the SBC agrifood system (farmers, policy makers, distributors, researchers, and food advocates) to begin moving towards a future for Santa Barbara County and our region that is locally oriented, environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable. Our vision is to support the development of a system that encourages and enhances opportunities for small-to-medium sized farmers, minimizes the use of toxic substances, provides living wages and healthy working conditions to farm workers, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves water, and makes nutritious, healthy local food available to all residents.

The goals of the workshop are to share our research, invite open discussion and dialogue among participants, identify key barriers and agree on a key set of strategies for education, research, action and policy. 

For Questions or Suggestions, please email: sbc.agrifoodworkshop@gmail.com

http://es.ucsb.edu/esconf/

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9:05 AM | |

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 

Buy Local. Cherish Community.



Pick 3. Spend $50. Save the bricks and mortars our country...our communities are built upon.

Pick 3. - What 3 local, independently owned businesses would miss you if you disappeared? Stop in and say "hi!" Buy something that makes you smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

Spend $50. - If half the employed population spent $50 a month at locally owned independent businesses, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue.

68 - For every $100 spent in locally owned independent businesses, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. If you buy it online, nothing comes home.

1 - the number of people it takes to start a trend. YOU.

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6:05 PM | |

Sunday, July 19, 2009 

Welcome to the "blogging" block

Wildland Residents Association

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8:48 PM | |

Monday, June 01, 2009 

Just a reminder to vote for SB Farmer's Market

for top market! On June 1st, American Farmland Trust is starting a vote for the Country's best Farmer's Market.
American Farmland Trust is sending a message to food shoppers everywhere that food decisions are important, and as consumers we have the opportunity to support local farmers and communities-just by shopping at farmers markets.

Our three-month outreach campaign will ask Americans across the country to show support ofr their local market by voting in our America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest. The top three vote-getting farmers markets - one small, one medium and one large - will win a free No Farms No Food tote bag giveaway for their market customers.

per CAPTAIN HALEY - The new and improved link is: http://action.farmland.org/site/PageNavigator/Americas-Favorite-Farmers-Markets/best_local_farmers_market_vote
However, the Santa Barbara Market is not available as a choice at this time. The Market Management must enroll in the contest before their name shows up...(thanks!)

Let's get on the horn to the SBFarmer's Market and tell them we want to vote for them!

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5:19 PM | |

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Tell Starbucks - "I'm In!"

by pledging to help your community, you'll get rewarded with good karma and satisfaction...and some free coffee.
Starbucks Corp. said Wednesday it is asking its customers to donate five hours of time to their communities as part of an initiative timed to coincide with President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.

Customers who fill out a pledge card to give five hours of time to a local "volunteer opportunity" of their choice will receive a free tall brewed coffee beginning Jan. 21 through Jan. 25. Customers can pick up pledge cards inside stores.

...Starbucks said it is partnering with HandsOn Network, a nonprofit organization that attempts to bolster volunteerism, for the program. Starbucks said it hopes to raise pledges for more than one million hours of service through the campaign, called "I'm In." - AP

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3:13 PM | |

Saturday, November 29, 2008 

Tis Better to Give Local

When you go out shopping this season, why not make your own gifts or let your greenbacks do good locally. Some suggestions....

The Grapeseed Company offers organic skin care items and their offshoot, Dirty Dog Organics offers organic pet care items.

Santa Barbara Pistachios sells their fabulous pistachios at our local farmers markets...but you can also order gift packages online.

How about making a hand made gift certificate for a special sunday breakfast at Cold Spring Tavern...or a communal BYOB Wine & Dine dinner event at SpiritLand or a romantic dinner at Bouchon.

A gift certificate to a local spa....some of my favorites.... Avia, Cielo and Le Reve.

Buy their favorite new book at Chaucer's or one of their favorite oldie but goodie at The Book Den.

Anthony Lombardi at Liquidpixphotography has some amazing photos of dolphins, whales and other sea creatures, i.e. surfers.

Then of course, there are the local wineries....or pick up a wine related item at The Winehound.

Stay tuned for more...and do you have any suggestions?

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9:42 AM | |

Friday, July 04, 2008 

An Unsung Hero in the Time of Community Need


Earl Warren Showground Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

As the Gap Fire blazes away, taunting the efforts of the hundreds of firefighters, there is one place in town that is really going unnoticed, a little unheralded, a little unappreciated (many people in town want to bulldoze it and turn it into "highend" condos) and our community mistakenly thinks it will always be there in times of community need. 

Earl Warren Showgrounds. The firefighters have established a command center there. People being evacuated are bringing their horses and large animals there. A horse show is currently being held there. Thank you, Earl Warren Showgrounds. You've been there in our time of need...and now, perhaps, the community can return the favor in your time of need.

A Santa Barbara Landmark For 50 Years...the Showgrounds also serves as a medevac site, disaster control center and animal shelter.

...While fairground facilities throughout the state receive a very small percentage of horse racing revenues to support operations, it is important to emphasize that Earl Warren Showgrounds is entirely self-supporting and receives no tax dollars whatsoever. 

Fifty years, however, has taken its toll. Major improvements are needed to meet current standards and attract higher revenue horse shows. 

Your Help Is Needed...
Earl Warren Showgrounds Foundation, a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation is dedicated to restoring and expanding a treasured tradition that has served the Santa Barbara community for many years. We wish to thank and recognize all who have contributed in the past. 
The Showgrounds have continually been there to support the emergency needs of the Santa Barbara County community...now...it's time the community return the favor.

Call the Showgrounds. 687-0766.  Pledge a little money along with your "thanks."

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3:41 PM | |

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