Representatives from across CDFA divisions and programs participated in the 10th annual Latino Farmer Conference, held this week at California State University, Monterey Bay. The two-day event, hosted by the National Center for Appropriate Technology and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, brought together Spanish-speaking farmers and ranchers to discuss sustainable agriculture, equity, and resources for underserved communities.

This year's conference featured farm site tours in the Monterey Bay Area, with stops at four farms showcasing diverse production systems and on-farm conservation practices. Farmers shared their experiences with cover crops, wildlife habitat, and other climate-smart approaches that enhance sustainability and resilience. These tours provided attendees with practical insights into innovative agricultural methods.

CDFA hosted two booths during the conference, featuring staff and information from the Farm Equity Office, the Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division, the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), and the Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division, the Fertilizer Research and Education Program, and Farmer & Farmworker Mental Health Resources.

Workshops conducted in Spanish focused on access to land, beneficial agreements and contracts, cooperative marketing strategies, conservation practices and cover crops for healthy soils, berry production, irrigation management, and also included a session about poultry production and profitability, in which Dr. Ricardo Gaitán, with CDFA's Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division, gave a presentation about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which is impacting dairy and poultry farms in the Central Valley.

The Latino Farmer Conference facilitates networking opportunities with other farmers and ranchers, produce buyers, industry and equipment specialists, and technical service providers. The conference underscores CDFA's ongoing commitment to supporting all farmers and ranchers through collaboration and education.