SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For the past 11 years, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has held an annual conference designed to provide new and aspiring Latino farm owners – many of whom are former farm laborers – with information and networking opportunities to help them succeed.
But in 2025, organizers of the Latino Farmer Conference had to pivot due to the loss of federal funding that paid for much of the cost and decided to hold a mostly virtual conference instead. That event took place in February of this year.
Omar Rodriguez, an NCAT sustainable agriculture specialist who organized the conference, said the six webinars averaged about 36 attendees each, with a hybrid event in Salinas bringing in 50 attendees online and 45 attendees in person. He said the information and networking opportunities offered to participants can contribute substantially to their success.
“We try to provide useful and pertinent information each year by reaching out and surveying farmers directly about their information and resource needs,” Rodriguez said. “So, in that regard, farmers are getting some of the most up-to-date and relevant information on topics that they have actually asked to learn more about.”
The conference is conducted entirely in Spanish. This year’s sessions included an introduction to email for business, social media management tips, pastured poultry production, soil ecology, and tools for soil health on the farm.
Keith Hesterberg, President & CEO of Fresno Madera Farm Credit, said the conference supports a vital and growing segment of California agriculture.
“California’s Latino producers play an essential role in the future of our state’s agricultural economy,” Hesterberg said. “As our industry evolves, it’s important that we ensure all producers have access to the tools, education and capital they need to succeed.”
AgWest Farm Credit California President Kevin Ralph said Farm Credit’s ongoing sponsorship of the conference reflects its commitment to the future of agriculture and the need to empower all producers with resources, information and networking opportunities.
“Events like the Latino Farmer Conference are vital in providing producers of all backgrounds with access to timely information, practical skills and valuable professional connections,” Ralph said. “We are proud to support these efforts that help strengthen the future of California agriculture.”
Farm Credit members AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Golden State Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit are sponsors of the conference. The organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.
Sponsorships are particularly important because farmers can attend the conference at no charge.
“It’s thanks to the sponsors that we’re actually able to provide low-cost and free events for farmers,” Rodriguez said. “Farm Credit’s sponsorship over the years has been extremely important. We’ve developed a long-term relationship, so it’s funding we can count on.”
About Farm Credit:
AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Golden State Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com
About the Latino Farmer Conference:
The Latino Farmer Conference is a yearly event that brings together the California farming community. Farmers, service providers, local community-based organizations and private companies all come together to support and connect around sustainable farming. All workshops and field days are hosted in Spanish, which removes one of the greatest barriers to effective learning and connection for farmers.
About NCAT
The National Center for Appropriate Technology is a national nonprofit created in 1976 to help people build resilient communities by developing appropriate, low-cost, energy-saving strategies for underserved communities. In 1987, NCAT expanded its mission to include sustainable agriculture.
— Farm Credit
