Richard Power introduced his son, local young farmer, and previous Sebastopol Rotary speaker Ryan Power, who introduced today’s speaker, Evan Wiig, Executive Director of the local Farmers Guild.

 

Evan and a cadre of “new farmers” started the Farmers Guild as a means of building network to encourage and support the growing number of folks entering the farming arena.  Today, the average age of local farmers and farmers across the country is pushing 60 years of age.  New / young farmers don’t have the network of friends and family with access to farmable land, tools and implements, and financial and social capital that established farmers have.  The Farmers Guild provides that network while facilitating successful, healthy, sustainable, local food production and marketing.

 

The Farmers Guild was born in Sonoma County, just down the road a piece, in Valley Ford.   In 2011, a handful of young farmers and ranchers convened over dinner to talk shop, trade ideas and share their experiences working to reform our agricultural system.  They started the “Valley Ford Young Farmers Association.”  Out of those evenings arose new friendships, opportunities and partnerships.  Soon chefs and local food advocates joined this group, attracting participation and interest from neighboring counties.  Today, Farmers Guilds have blossomed into a collective of 10 Farmers Guilds across California.  Each Guild is local and unique, yet connected through online social media and sharing of practical resources.  Many Farmers Guilds are associated with their local Granges.

 

Farmers Guilds provide a clearing house and social gathering place for new ideas and innovations, while holding dear the traditional farming methods that built and maintain our natural ecosystems.  Our speaker likened Farmers Guilds to “Rotary Clubs for young farmers.”  In Sonoma County and other areas, farming is attracting more young people, and organizations like the Guild offer support and practical wisdom to help them to be successful and enjoy caring for the land.

 

Evan Wiig has background as a Brooklyn community gardener and California cattle ranch hand.  He now wrangles a 600-bird mobile range chicken enterprise in Valley Ford.  Evan has a passion for finding new solutions to old problems facing new farmers and small farms.  Evan provided some rich food for thought regarding the way the highly-vertically integrated food industry has detached the local small farmer from the food production and marketing enterprises.  He challenged our thinking about the use of the buzz term “go local” in food marketing.  And he encouraged us to become aware of and support alternative ways being developed to market local food products, including farmers markets, food associations, and restaurants that feature foods from locally identified farms.

 

   NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM

"Kevin Briggs Search for the "Thread" on the Golden Gate Bridge"

 

Kevin Briggs spent many years as a California Highway Patrol officer patrolling the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.  While on patrol, he encountered numerous individuals clinging to life who had lost hope and could see no way out but to jump off the bridge to end their pain and hopelessness.  

 

Over time, this CHP officer studied and learned positive ways to approach people in crisis.  Using these skills, he discovered the "thread" that would encourage individuals to find hope for tomorrow and allow them to live for another day.

 

As a retired officer, Kevin has shared his skills all over the world with his organization named Pivotal Points.  His own personal struggles, experiences, and family pain have created a man who has mapped a movement to deal with suicide prevention and crisis encounters.

Join us next week to learn some of the skills he has so deftly used to save so many lives!