Difference between revisions of "Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association"

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The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) is an organization that offers first hand educational opportunities for present and aspiring farmers.  ALBA's mission is to "advance economic viability, social equity and ecological land management among limited-resource and aspiring farmers."<ref name="ALBA">ALBA website: http://www.albafarmers.org/index.html</ref> We work to create opportunities for family farms while providing education and demonstration on conservation, habitat restoration, marketing and whole farm planning. By aiding small farms with limited resources, ALBA hopes to increase economic opportunities for independent farms, and promote sustainable farming practices that increase biodiversity, and employ land management practices that mirror the local ecology.  Alba was formed in 2001 from the original frame work of the Rural Development Center (RDC), founded by the Association for Community-Based Education (ACBE).[[Image:Welcome.JPG|frame|Welcome sign on an ALBA farm<ref name="Welcome">Calrecylce: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/calmax/inserts/2005/Summer/Alba.htm</ref>.]]  
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The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) is an organization that offers first hand educational opportunities for present and aspiring farmers.  ALBA's mission is to "advance economic viability, social equity and ecological land management among limited-resource and aspiring farmers." ALBA also "work[s] to create opportunities for family farms while providing education and demonstration on conservation, habitat restoration, marketing and whole farm planning."<ref name="ALBA">ALBA website: http://www.albafarmers.org/index.html</ref>  By aiding small farms with limited resources, ALBA hopes to increase economic opportunities for independent farms, and promote sustainable farming practices that increase biodiversity, and employ land management practices that mirror the local ecology.  Alba was formed in 2001 from the original frame work of the Rural Development Center (RDC), founded by the Association for Community-Based Education (ACBE).[[Image:Welcome.JPG|frame|Welcome sign on an ALBA farm<ref name="Welcome">Calrecylce: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/calmax/inserts/2005/Summer/Alba.htm</ref>.]]  
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==History of Rural Development Center==
 
==History of Rural Development Center==
 
In 1985 the Rural Development Center (RDC) was founded by the Association for Community-Based Education (ACBE) of Washington, DC. From 1985 to 2000 the RDC initiated numerous farm programs, in produced capital that aided in the construction of valuable infrastructure key to the success of ALBA to this day.  Since the formation of ALBA in 2001, they have maintained previous strategies used by RDC and have expanded on many of the original ideas used in the development of RDC.
 
In 1985 the Rural Development Center (RDC) was founded by the Association for Community-Based Education (ACBE) of Washington, DC. From 1985 to 2000 the RDC initiated numerous farm programs, in produced capital that aided in the construction of valuable infrastructure key to the success of ALBA to this day.  Since the formation of ALBA in 2001, they have maintained previous strategies used by RDC and have expanded on many of the original ideas used in the development of RDC.
  
 
==Environmental Stewardship in the Carneros and Elkhorn Slough Watersheds==
 
==Environmental Stewardship in the Carneros and Elkhorn Slough Watersheds==
In 2000 the [[Elkhorn Slough Foundation]] acquired a land easement, and in 2001 ALBA took over the responsibility of managing the land<ref>Holloway R. 2010. Annual Sediment Retention and Hydraulic Residence Time Variability in a Riverine Wetland Receiving Unregulated Inflow from Agricultural Runoff. [Master‟s thesis]. Seaside (CA): California State University, Monterey Bay. Available
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In 2000 the [[Elkhorn Slough Foundation]] acquired a land easement for the land now known as [[Triple M Ranch]]<ref>Holloway R. 2010. Annual Sediment Retention and Hydraulic Residence Time Variability in a Riverine Wetland Receiving Unregulated Inflow from Agricultural Runoff. [Master‟s thesis]. Seaside (CA): California State University, Monterey Bay. Available
from: http://sep.csumb.edu/cwsp/theses/Holloway_Thesis_101217.pdf </ref>. The land parcel acquired is now called the [[Triple M Ranch]], it is within the watershed boundaries of Carneros Creek and the Elkhorn Slough Watersheds.  Only 60 acres of 165 acres are farmed within the property due to natural land easements.  The property is cultivated with practices that prevent soil loss, efficient use of irrigation water, and habitat conservation.  These conservation efforts are taught to all ALBA clients.  Bilingual education programs are available for Spanish speaking farmers.  Meeting water quality regulations and conservation are key components of the farmer education program.  ALBA's goal is to help educate small farmers, and demonstrate that farming and conservation can co-exist.
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from: http://sep.csumb.edu/cwsp/theses/Holloway_Thesis_101217.pdf </ref>.   Management of the land was given to ALBA in 2001.  [[Triple M Ranch]] is within the watershed boundaries of Carneros Creek and the Elkhorn Slough Watersheds.  Only 60 acres of 165 acres are farmed within the property due to natural land easements.  The property is cultivated with practices that prevent soil loss, efficient use of irrigation water, and habitat conservation.  These conservation efforts are taught to all ALBA clients.  Bilingual education programs are available for Spanish speaking farmers.  Meeting water quality regulations and conservation are key components of the farmer education program.  ALBA's goal is to help educate small farmers, and demonstrate that farming and conservation can co-exist.
 
===Environmental Partners===
 
===Environmental Partners===
 
ALBA operates in partnership with many local and national level organizations.  Below is a list of some of the partners that work in cooperation with ALBA:
 
ALBA operates in partnership with many local and national level organizations.  Below is a list of some of the partners that work in cooperation with ALBA:

Revision as of 00:21, 8 February 2011

The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) is an organization that offers first hand educational opportunities for present and aspiring farmers. ALBA's mission is to "advance economic viability, social equity and ecological land management among limited-resource and aspiring farmers." ALBA also "work[s] to create opportunities for family farms while providing education and demonstration on conservation, habitat restoration, marketing and whole farm planning."[1] By aiding small farms with limited resources, ALBA hopes to increase economic opportunities for independent farms, and promote sustainable farming practices that increase biodiversity, and employ land management practices that mirror the local ecology. Alba was formed in 2001 from the original frame work of the Rural Development Center (RDC), founded by the Association for Community-Based Education (ACBE).
Welcome sign on an ALBA farm[2].

History of Rural Development Center

In 1985 the Rural Development Center (RDC) was founded by the Association for Community-Based Education (ACBE) of Washington, DC. From 1985 to 2000 the RDC initiated numerous farm programs, in produced capital that aided in the construction of valuable infrastructure key to the success of ALBA to this day. Since the formation of ALBA in 2001, they have maintained previous strategies used by RDC and have expanded on many of the original ideas used in the development of RDC.

Environmental Stewardship in the Carneros and Elkhorn Slough Watersheds

In 2000 the Elkhorn Slough Foundation acquired a land easement for the land now known as Triple M Ranch[3]. Management of the land was given to ALBA in 2001. Triple M Ranch is within the watershed boundaries of Carneros Creek and the Elkhorn Slough Watersheds. Only 60 acres of 165 acres are farmed within the property due to natural land easements. The property is cultivated with practices that prevent soil loss, efficient use of irrigation water, and habitat conservation. These conservation efforts are taught to all ALBA clients. Bilingual education programs are available for Spanish speaking farmers. Meeting water quality regulations and conservation are key components of the farmer education program. ALBA's goal is to help educate small farmers, and demonstrate that farming and conservation can co-exist.

Environmental Partners

ALBA operates in partnership with many local and national level organizations. Below is a list of some of the partners that work in cooperation with ALBA:

There are many other partners of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association, including economic, academic, farming, policy, and distributor organizations. For a full list of partners and collaborators visit the ALBA Resources Site.

Properties

ALBA owns two properties in Monterey County for hands on training and research.

The Rural Development Center

The RDC is ALBAs headquarters, and is located on a 110-acre organic farm in the Salinas Valley. From the Salinas farm ALBA provides the Small Farm Education Program, a program that teaches beginning farmers about organic farming, and marketing. The RDC includes a resource center and classroom, distribution facility and produce cooler, and an on-site maintenance workshop.

The Farm Training and Research Center (Triple M Ranch)

The Triple M Ranch is a 195 acre farm situated in the lower part of Carneros Creek Watershed. Only 60 acres of the farm are cultivated due to a natural land easement on the property. The property that is farmed is leased out to small farms for training in organic farming, and education in sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.


References

  1. ALBA website: http://www.albafarmers.org/index.html
  2. Calrecylce: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/calmax/inserts/2005/Summer/Alba.htm
  3. Holloway R. 2010. Annual Sediment Retention and Hydraulic Residence Time Variability in a Riverine Wetland Receiving Unregulated Inflow from Agricultural Runoff. [Master‟s thesis]. Seaside (CA): California State University, Monterey Bay. Available from: http://sep.csumb.edu/cwsp/theses/Holloway_Thesis_101217.pdf

Links