I. Current State

Santa Cruz County (SCC) has a diverse agriculture that constitutes a major part of the region's economy. The county produces a wide variety of high value crops in intensive farming systems, and has substantial timber and range land acreage. Major crops include strawberries, lettuce, roses, apples, mushrooms, brussels sprouts and artichokes. SCC is a pioneer in sustainable agriculture, which include long-term soil management practices based on understanding of soil biology, crop rotation, cover crops, and the use of compost. Other cultural practices include alternative crop protection techniques such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological pest control and beneficial insect habitat management; organic farming, ecological landscaping, and holistic resource management. We have a mild coastal climate, rich soils, well-developed agricultural infrastructure, and access to capital. This combination of resources allows for great diversity of crops and makes the county one of the most valuable agricultural regions in the world.

II. Desired State

We want to maintain a viable agriculture in Santa Cruz County as a major economic sector that follows sound ecological, social and humane practices. We endorse sustainable agricultural practices that foster biologically active and living soils, protect air and water quality, and maintain our farmland base. We support educational centers and programs for increasing public understanding, appreciation, and participation in agriculture,

III. Goals for Year 2000

Santa Cruz County has many opportunities to sustain its agricultural production and marketing into the 21st century.

Goals include:

A. Protect county farmland from urban development.

B. Maintain sufficient water quality and quantity.

C. Develop alternative crop protection methods to reduce pesticide use.

D. Prepare the agricultural community for the probable phase-out of the fumigant, methyl bromide.

E. Secure land tenure to provide incentives for farmers to conserve natural resources.

F. Development of local and direct markets.

G. Facilitate knowledge of organic farming principles and techniques to those farmers who wish to make the transition.

H. Improve use of organic matter by the diversion of green material for the production of quality finished compost.

I. Integrate native species in production agriculture, landscaping and range land management.

IV. What Has Been Done

A. In addition to its abundant natural resources and highly developed agricultural production systems, Santa Cruz County has a large number of individuals and groups working in the field of sustainable agriculture. Some of these groups, which are listed below in Section VI, perform the following activities:

1. Train individuals in ecological farming, landscaping and gardening.
2. Disseminate information to family farmers, farmworkers and consumers.
3. Work for the protection of farmland.
4. Sponsor meetings and conferences.
5. Provide opportunities for youth, the disadvantaged and the homeless to learn agricultural skills
6. Promote sustainable agriculture and organic farming.

B. Two recent significant projects that operated simultaneously from 1993-'96 were: (info. available through CASFS)

1. California Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (CASA) was an Integrated Farming Systems Project created through assistance from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and was a collaboration of six non-profit organizations and three University of California programs.
2. The Agriculture & Community Project (Ag Comm) as part of the Agroecology Program at UCSC, was an applied research project that examined the status of agriculture in Santa Cruz County in the face of increasing market, development and population pressures and hosted a number of agricultural conferences & forums.

V. Suggested Actions for Further Progress

A. Maintain Santa Cruz County farmers' stewardship of land and water resources.

B. Encourage direct community investments into conserving agricultural resources.

C. Continue to develop practices that ensure sustainable food and fiber production into the future.

D. Strengthen programs that encourage biological farming practices and lead to a reduction in the use of toxic chemicals.

E. Support a permanent agricultural economy in Santa Cruz County.

F. Educate the public about sustainable agriculture.

G. Strengthen local and direct marketing.

H. Diversify agricultural activities through the cultivation of alternative crops and building and maintaining related enterprises such as processing and agricultural tourism.

I. Provide ecological resources to landscapers, and promote edible landscaping and garden sanctuaries. Outreach to landscape architects, designers, and contractors including specialists in maintenance, installation, masonry, fence construction, irrigation, hydroseeding and arborists.

J. Increase efforts to develop and publicize water conservation methods for farmers.

K. Find a viable solution to nitrate contamination of ground water and salt water intrusion.

L. Restructure economic incentives for sustainable farming. For example:

1. Research a crop insurance program to insure risks of converting to sustainable agriculture.
2. Look into special provisions in federal marketing orders for products produced using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or organic methods.
3. Consider agriculture conservation easements applied to both urban edge and urban pocket agriculture.

M. Stop development of prime farmland by doing the following:

1. Public education and community / citizen involvement in specific proposed projects.
2. Look into working with land trusts.
3. Explore incentives for owners/estates to keep land in agriculture.

N. Promote an environmentally sensitive and sustainable green industry, including in part: Composting, Recycling, Labor Relations, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Natural Pest Control, Natural Fertilization, Xeriscaping; Rain and Grey-water Reclamation, Erosion Control, Topsoil Production Centers, Habitat Restoration and Green Space Preservation.

VI. Useful Resources & References

• American Farmland Trust -a state and national organization fighting to preserve farmland from development. Western Office: 1949 Fifth St., Ste. 101, Davis, CA 95616; (916) 753-1073.
• Bio-Integral Resource Center - offers technical advice, assistance and published information on all aspects of environmentally sound pest management; Publications & Services Catalog available: BIRC, P.O. Box 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707; (510) 524-2567.
• California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program - aimed at California's low-income, African-American, Native American, Latino and Asian youth. CANFit, 2140 Shattuck Ave., Ste. 610, Berkeley, CA 94704; Tel: (510) 644-1533.
• California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) is a nonprofit organization formed 20 years ago to define uniform standards and establish a certification system for organic produce; it also serves through a variety of promotional, educational, and research activities. CCOF is now the largest statewide organization of organic producers in the nation, comprised of over 630 California organic farmers and organic food handlers with 14 local chapters in California and a central office in Santa Cruz. There are 102 organic farmers registered in Santa Cruz County as of 1996, according to the Agricultural Commissioner. Diane Bowen, Exec. Director, 1115 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 423-2263, Fax: 423-4528. [Thomas Wittman, pres., CCOF Cent. Coast Chptr., P.O. Box 2372, Santa Cruz, CA 96063; (408) 336-2527].
• California Institute For Rural Studies - conducts research and promotes leadership development, community outreach and public education; Resources Catalog and "Rural California Report" available: CIRS, P.O. Box 2143, Davis, CA 95617; Tel: (916) 756-6555, Fax: 756-7429.
• California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) - has published information on resource management; (916) 448-2522; Web: http://www.clca.org
• California Latino Ag Association - works to assist Latino farmers; Lourdes Gonzales, Dir., 318 Main St., Ste 208, Watsonville, CA 95076; Tel: (408) 761-7070, Fax: 761-7071.
• California Strawberry Commission - Dave Riggs, Pres., P.O. Box 269, Watsonville, CA 95077; Tel: (408) 724-1301, Fax: 724-5973.
• California Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (CASAWG) is a network of farmers, farm workers, environmentalists, consumers, and others dedicated to promoting a sustainable and socially just food system. CASAWG provides a forum for information exchange, collaborative action, and shaping public policy. Specific activities include:

1. Leads California's participation in the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture.
2. Helps members access funding and technical support for community-based and agriculture projects (in collaboration with the Community Food Security Coalition).
3. Presents research and education recommendations from farm and non-profit organizations to the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program.
4. Coordinates an emerging coalition of farm, environmental, and labor groups that is working for state policy changes to encourage sustainable, pesticide use reduction, and farmworker health and safety.
5. CaSAWG, P.0. Box 1599, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; Kai Siedenburg, Director, Tel: (408) 457-2815, Fax 457-1003, Email: casawg@igc.apc.org. National Office: 32 N. Church St., Goshen, NY 10924; (914) 294-0633.

• Campaign to Save Pajaro Valley Farmlands & Wetlands - has formed a coalition to fight urban sprawl and work for permanent preservation of local farmland and wetlands. Member groups include: CAFF, Comite de Derechos Humanos (Committee For Human Rights), Environmental Council, Sierra Club, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Contact: Sam Earnshaw, P.O. Box 1413, Freedom CA 95019; Tel: (408) 471-9915. Fax: 471-9916.
• Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), Margaret Fitzsimmons, Dir., 1156 High St., Univ. of Calif., Santa Cruz, CA 95064; Tel: (408) 459-4140, Fax-. 459-2799. The UCSC Agroecology Program is a research and educational group working toward the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Program researchers are currently investigating the ecological basis for sustainable agriculture, with the long-term goal of designing farming systems that conserve energy and water, recycle nutrients, and manage weeds and pests with minimal environmental and economic costs. Research by program faculty, staff, and students also includes the cultural, political, and economic aspects of developing sustainable agricultural systems. The program gives high priority to forging links with farmers, gardeners, researchers and faculty at other UC campuses, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors, and representatives of other agricultural organizations. Program staff coordinate major agricultural conferences, teach short courses, make presentations at agricultural and ecological events, and publish a newsletter twice yearly. The Agroecology Program manages a 4 acre organic Garden on an upper campus slope and a 25-acre organic Farm on a lower campus meadow. UCSC's six-month organic fanning program provides apprentices with 120 hours in class, and 1,200 hours in the fields learning sustainable agricultural techniques for achieving maximum production from poor soil with minimal mechanization. Apprentices who are attracted worldwide receive training by working on the CSA program.
• Committee for Sustainable Agriculture - a statewide organization founded in 1981; sponsors annual Ecological Farming Conferences, provides outreach to farmers, university researchers, environmentalists, home gardeners, farm workers and food industry representatives locally and from around the world; newsletter – "Organic Farm Matters." Lynn Young, Dir., 406 Main St., Ste. 313, Watsonville, CA 95076; (408) 763-2111; Fax: 763-2112.
• Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is a 20 year old community-based statewide membership organization focused on strengthening consumer/farmer links and direct marketing, ecological farming methods, farmland and water protection, and public policy for sustainable agriculture. Local Contact: Reggie Knox, (408) 457-1007; 735 Chestnut, Ste C, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or P.O. Box 363, Davis, CA 95617; Tel: (916) 756-8518, Fax: (916) 756-7857; Email: caff@caff.org, www.ca org- CAFF programs include:

1. CSA West - serves as a clearinghouse for community supported agriculture in the western United States. Consumer members pay a portion of a farmer's production expenses, and in return receive weekly shares in the harvest. CSA West produced a California Regional CSA Directory and co-developed a 60 member CSA with the staff of the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture on UCSC's 25 acre organic farm. (Contact Weyland Southon)
2. Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) - a voluntary, incentives-based program for farmers who want to learn how to manage their orchards using cover crops, beneficial insects, and other biological practices. BIC6 provides direct, crop-specific technical support to farmers.
3. Lighthouse Farm Network - an informal state outreach campaign bringing the latest information on alternative methods and pesticide reduction to farmers at breakfast meetings, locally in Santa Cruz, Hollister, and Watsonville.
4. Rural Water Impact Network (RWIN) is a voice for rural communities impacted by water issues in Calif. CAFF's outreach includes regional organizing and alerts, conferences, and publications: * "Agrarian Advocate" - a bimonthly newsletter. * "Farmer to Farmer" - a bi-monthly magazine showcasing successful California farming operations which have made significant reductions in their chemical use.

• Cooperative Extension Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources, UCSC - hosting ongoing forums - Sonya Hammond, County Director, 1432 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, CA 95076-2796; Tel: (408) 763-8040 or 454-2460; Fax: (408) 763-8006.
• County Agricultural Commissioner - enforces state and federal agricultural laws in Santa Cruz County - Dave Moeller, 175 Westridge Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076; (408) 763-8080.
• County of Santa Cruz, Dept, of Public Works, Solid Waste Division - Patrick Matthews, 701 Ocean St., Rm. 410, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 454-2160.
• Ecological Landscaping Assoc. - an organization of green industry professionals promoting sustainable, low- impact landscapes; P. 0. Box 1561, Greenfield, MA 01302-1561; Tel: (617) 436-58,38,
• Ecology Action of Santa Cruz (EA) - a non-profit organization working jointly with the private and public sectors to reduce waste and conserve energy and material resources. EA maintains a 'RotLine' Composting Hotline: (408) 423-HEAP (4327,). Virginia Johnson, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 1188, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1188; Tel: (408) 426-5925; Email: ecoact@cruzio.com; Web: http://www.cruzio.com/-ecoact
• Farm Without Harm - a community action group educating our community and schools about the dangers of pesticides. Contact: Karen Light, P.O. Box 1487, Castroville, CA 95012; (408) 633-8749.
• The Homeless Garden Project is a positive example of urban agriculture & CSA employing homeless people in meaningful labor in an organic, bio-intensive garden that provides healthy food for residents of SCC. Lynne (Basehore) Cooper or Dairrie Ganzhorn, P.O. Box 617, Santa Cruz 95061-0617; Tel: (408) 426-3609
• Land Trust of Santa Cruz County - dedicated to preserving large tracts of land. Laura Perry, Dir., 734 Chestnut, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 429-6116.
• Life Labs Science Program - a elementary school program to learn science using the garden as an outdoor classroom. Contact: Roberta Jaffe, Curriculum Dir., 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95064; (408) 459-2001.
• Livingstone's Living Earth Topsoil Production Centers - demonstrating a system of vermicomposting (the conversion of waste to topsoil by earthworms), approved by the National Science Foundation and the EPA. This system, suggested in the global Agenda 21 document, works without mechanical shredders, aerators, or turners and is capable of producing 1-100 tons per day per site. D. Livingston, P.O. Box 2910, Santa Cruz, CA 95063-2910; Fax: (408) 421-9223; Email: land@cruzio.com
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) - a neutral county boundary commission to preserve agricultural and open space land and to discourage urban sprawl. Pat McCormick, Exec. Officer, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 454-2055.
• Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission - acts as a clearinghouse and keeps growers up-to-date on new techniques, research results and data that allow quality improvement. LWWC, 1420 S. NIM St., Ste. K, Lodi, CA 95242; (209) 367-4727.
• Master Gardener Program - 1432 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, CA 95076-2796; Tel: (408) 763-8040 or 454-2460; Fax: (408) 763-8006.
• Mighty Mulch - Santa Cruz's first privately owned yard waste recycling center for professional gardeners or home gardeners - composting, processing, & recycling green waste materials. Robin Davison, 852 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, CA 96076; Tel: (408) 763-2887.
• Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) - a non-profit that funds research into organic farming methods, dissemination of research results to organic farmers and to growers making the transition to organic production systems, and education of the general public about organic farming issues. Bob Scowcroft or Mark Lipson, OFRF, P.O. Box 940, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; Tel: (408) 426-6606; Fax: 426- 6670.
• Regional Alliance For Progressive Policy (RAPP) - a multi-issue alliance promoting cooperation among diverse sectors of the community in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties through the exchange of information, education, & action-oriented campaigns for progressive change, social justice, & a safe & healthful environment. Terry Olesen, chair, P.O. Box 3814, Santa Cruz, CA 95063; (408) 442-1649,
• Rural Development Center - an agricultural bilingual training and resource center which offers a practical education in farming to low-income people in the Salinas Valley. Jose Montenegro, Dir., P.O. Box 5415, Salinas, CA 93915; Tel: (408) 758-1469.
• Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau - legislative advocacy info., community programs, & insurance. Jess Brown, Exec. Dir. 141 Monte Vista, Watsonville, CA 95076; Tel: (408) 688-0748.
• Save Our Agricultural Lands (SOAL) - preventing the industrialization of agricultural lands. Jodi Frediani, 1015 Smith Grade Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 426-1697.
• Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping - offering bicycle-powered, eco-friendly landscape services. Ken Foster, 137 Palmetta St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; tel: (408) 425-3514.
• U.C. Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SAREP) - gathers & distributes information about issues and practices pertaining to sustainable agriculture, offers workshops, and disseminates a free quarterly newsletter - 'Sustainable Agriculture'. SAREP, UC-Davis, Davis, CA 95616; (916) 752-7541.

Documentation

Santa Cruz County 1994 Crop Report - Santa Cruz County Commissioner

Contributors: Chairperson Brian Baker, Sam Earnshaw, Jared Lawson, Dave Skinner, Ken Foster, Dave Hope, Damian Parr, Eleanor Wasson, Michael Smith, Allan Wilks, Terence Welch, Carrie Holmlund, Reggie Knox, Brenda Smith, Karen Grobe, Kirsten Ohlander, Brian Macelroy, Lynne (Basehore) Cooper, Tom McDonald, Joanne Baumgartner, & Diane Livingston. (Resources compiled by Jeanne Nordland).