The Central Coast and Southern California Regenerative Equipment Sharing Collaborative supported Sweet Wheel Farms with harvesting their organic oats by sharing their Boaz mini combine. This type of agricultural equipment can harvest wheat, barley, rye, rice, oats, and other small…
The Equipment Sharing Alliance was awarded $21,500 by SBCFAN’s Food System Resilience Grant program to purchase a mobile seed cleaner and no-till planter that will support farmers in planting locally adapted and heritage varieties that suit the climate and culture.
A small group of farmers from across the region launched the Alliance to meet their shared equipment needs.
Initial outreach to farmers indicated that access to equipment is a common obstacle for farmers, especially those that are just getting started and/or are looking to transition to regenerative practices. Meetings were convened to explore cooperative models and what types…
When Lompoc Valley Seed and Milling Co., one of our region's oldest agriculture businesses, closed its doors in 2019, farmers were forced to send their seeds, grains, and beans hundreds of miles north to King City. The Alliance felt that…
The Alliance facilitated their first event, a panel discussion on selecting grains for planting, that featured grain experts, researchers, and bakers. The event was so well attended that the Alliance plans to hold similar gatherings in the future.
The Alliance connected and will continue to connect with other regional equipment shares across California to share ideas and create replicable models.
