> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # July News from EFA - URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/july_news_from_efa_0721141040/ - Published: 2014-07-21T11:33:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T16:24:30.000Z - Description: A July e-newsletter from the Ecological Farming Association announcing the Hoes Down Harvest Celebration at Full Belly Farm, two intern openings for the 2015 EcoFarm Conference, and an extended deadline for California's on-farm water efficiency grants. - Author: Food Consumer - Tags: Politics, #vivvo-import # July E-News Before we know it, summer will wane into Autumn - calling for farmers to put their hoes down and celebrate the fruits of labor! Please join us at the Hoes Down Harvest Celebration on Saturday, **October 4th and Sunday, October 5th** to honor agricultural arts and sustainable rural living. Two fun-filled days of events and seminars for all ages at Full Belly Farm in rural Capay Valley - a region of many small farms that supply Northern California's neighborhood grocery stores and eateries with fresh organic produce. This 27th annual event offers the public a special opportunity to connect with rural life and deepen our understanding of the local food system. **Online registration for Hoes Down event, seminars and overnight camping opens July 31 at** [**www.hoesdown.org**](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=c8f1ab520e&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) ## Internships Opportunities with EFA EFA is looking for interns to fill two positions now open! Program Intern and Communications Intern - both to support the planning on production of the 35th annual EcoFarm Conference this coming January 21 - 24, 2015\. [Check them out here](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=07919325da&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) and pass them along to any enthusiastic, talented candidates you may know. We like to think of ourselves as a fun bunch to work with and can guarantee a great professional development opportunity while working for an outstanding cause. ## Funding Deadline Extended for On-Farm Water Efficiency Projects The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has extended its deadline for applications for the new State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) until July 29, 2014. $10 million in competitive grant funding will be awarded to provide financial assistance to agricultural operations for implementation of water conservation measures that result in increased water efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Examples of eligible projects include: - Pump efficiency retrofits to increase flow and upgrade overall pumping efficiency of well and booster pumps - Conversion from high pressure sprinkler to drip or micro irrigation systems - Replacement of high pressure sprinkler nozzles with low pressure nozzles - Installation of variable frequency drives on pumps with varying operating conditions - Irrigation scheduling - Soil moisture monitoring equipment - Conversion of diesel pumps to solar or wind Applications must be submitted electronically by Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. PST. All applicants must register for a FAAST account at [https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=fea598df96&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org). Application guidelines and more information on applying are available on the [CDFA website](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=3b80b5a164&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) ## Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture Accepting Applications The UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems welcomes applications to the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture, a full-time, 6-month residential program that trains adults in the concepts and practices of organic gardening and small-scale sustainable farming. The apprenticeship blends experiential learning with traditional classroom studies on topics that include soil management, composting, pest and weed control, crop planning, irrigation, farm equipment, and direct marketing techniques. The 39 apprentices each year come from all regions of the US and abroad, and represent a wide spectrum of ages, backgrounds, and interests. A range of tuition scholarships are available. The application deadlines are Aug 15 for international applicants, and Sept 30 for domestic applicants. For more info contact: Apprenticeship Information, CASFS, UCSC, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 [(831) 459-3240](tel:%28831%29%20459-3240) [Web site:http://casfs.ucsc.edu](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=2a84a84f4d&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) E-mail: [casfs@ucsc.edu](mailto:casfs@ucsc.edu) ## We Can Save the Bees Together: Sarah Red-Laird at TEDxBend Sarah Red-Laird transformed a childhood fascination with honeybees into an impassioned career as a research scientist, educator, conservationist and revered beekeeper. From her first taste of freshly harvested honeycomb at age three, through the undergraduate research program at the University of Montana, she cultivated the art and science of beekeeping. Today, Red-Laird is based in Ashland where she educates the next generation of honeybee keepers through her Kids and Bees program and the Southern Oregon University Beekeeping Club. She also helps farmers and other land managers conserve bee habitat. [Click here to watch Sarah's talk.](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=73abc27b7c&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) ## Fresh Dirt from the Farmer Mentor Got dirt? Get your fix at the [EcoFarm Blog](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=0c666dd349&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) where we capture Q&A with Jim Leap - one of the Central Coast's most respected Beginning Farmer Mentors. Jim offers online technical assistance in correspondences such as Q&A, through face-to-face farm visits, and at the annual EcoFarm Conference. Got a farming-related question for Jim? You can email him at [jeleap@yahoo.com](mailto:jeleap@yahoo.com). ## Sustainable Ag Jobs & Opportunities List Speaking of jobs, we're happy to tout that EFA's Sustainable Ag Jobs & Opportunities List has reached over 4,000 subscribers! Our regular listings include a variety of jobs and internships throughout the country and sometimes overseas, by the request of employers in the good food movement. It's a labor of love and we hope we've helped facilitate some great matches. If you are one of them, drop us a line to tell us about it at[info@eco-farm.org](mailto:info@eco-farm.org). [To sign up for our jobs emails click here](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=21ff7b1329&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org). ## Permaculture Practicum with Darren Doherty Darren Doherty, an internationally recognized leader and pioneer in permaculture and regenerative agriculture, will be leading these upcoming permaculture courses: Drought-Proofing Land and Farms in California: Aug 9, Reforestation for Profit: Aug 10, From Orchard to Stacked Enterprise: Aug 11\. The format of this course series combines Darren's teaching on each specific topic, with a live walk through of how to run an effective consultation with real clients. Each day will yield specific design ideas for the site while giving specific techniques on how to choose the least cost for most economic and ecological gain next steps to move the land and farm objectives forward. [Click here for more info and to register.](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=c0e8142aae&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) ## Biodynamic Conference - Medicine for Earth & Man: the Earthworm, the Cow and the Bee The earthworm, the cow, and the bee are a trinity of creatures that work together to induce harmony in the natural order through the generation of widespread healing forces. Together they create a kind of earth "medicine" due to their unique metabolic processes. In different ways each group contributes more to the health of the earth out of the collective digestive processes of the individual creatures than the creatures retain for themselves. This conference is sponsored by the Biodynamic Association and will take place August 15 - 17, 2014 at the Rudolf Steiner College with a focus on the contributions that each group makes to support the healing of the earth and the human being. Presenters include Dennis Klocek, Steffen Schneider, and Thomas Radetzki. Co-sponsored by the Biodynamic Association. [For info and to register click here.](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=61823d5caf&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) **Upcoming Events** [10/6 - 10/8, Western Regional Coaching for small local, sustainable poultry farmers, Modesto, CA](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=6688a75d43&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) [10/15, 10/16, On-Farm Habitat Restoration Field Tours with Wild Farm Alliance, Tres Pinos and Watsonville, CA](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=eeb55c049d&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) --- [***Click here to sign up for EFA's other email lists: GE News, Sustainable Ag Jobs List, and Action Alerts.***](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=6ef7dfbe3a&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org) *The Ecological Farming Association nurtures healthy, just food systems and communities* *by bringing people together for education, alliance building, and celebration.* *To learn more, visit* [*www.eco-farm.org*](http://eco-farm.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=76c0bb8f4637459fcb1d94bf3&id=88d8ccb3ed&e=92db09b10b&ref=foodconsumer.org)*.*