From Farm to Table: Small Farm Agriculture and Farmers Markets

May 29-30, 2007, Ventura and Santa Monica, California
Contact: Los Angeles Foreign Press Center
Telephone: 310-235-7693; email: fpcla@cruznet.net

Fifteen journalists representing Germany, Japan, China, France, Taiwan,UK and VOA's International Service participated in this program on California agriculture.  The program focused on small farm direct marketing in the form of Certified Farmers' Markets.  Journalists glimpsed the life of an American small farmer in the nation's most agriculturally diverse state as well as observed the popular Santa Monica Farmers Market, a testament to the growth of farmers markets nationawide and the enabling of small farm survival.  Journalists also discussed current issues in agriculture, such as immigration, organic growing, and global marketing and trade.  Highlights included visiting a 5th generation family farm, dining at a four-star restaurant showcasing locally small-farm grown, seasonal produce, and observing an inner-city school program teaching about food, diet, and farming.