May 21-23, 2024
Paicines Ranch, California
The NoRegrets Initiative and Paicines Ranch Learning Center team INVITE YOU TO JOIN US in exploring how we, as funders in the food system, can most effectively come alongside those who are creating a new vision for agriculture in the Central Valley of California. We're hosting this learning journey to deepen our understanding of the context relevant in the Central Valley, to hear reports from field leaders in agriculture, and to assess the opportunity for philanthropy in this transitional shift.
This convening begins at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 21 and goes until 12:00 pm on Thursday, May 23 -- hosted at Paicines Ranch in California.
— Why Does this Matter? Why Now? —
Agriculture is the primary land use in the Central Valley and drives the economy, politics, and ecology of the region. There are 7 million irrigated acres in the region, which is 75% of the irrigated acres in CA and 17% of the total in the US. The vast majority of the nation’s nuts and grapes are grown in this region.
The Central Valley's agriculture production is also at the start of a significant disruption brought on by a confluence of factors from climate change to water management (including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act SGMA) to increased regulation of toxic chemicals to air quality regulations and more. There is public money pouring into the area, along with newly interested NGOs joining a robust ecosystem of producers, established non-profits, community advocacy organizations, and universities.
The San Joaquin Valley is an especially relevant region within the Central Valley, producing more than half of the state’s agricultural output and being home to the nation’s top three agricultural counties (Fresno, Kern, and Tulare). Additionally, nearly all of the groundwater basins in the San Joaquin Valley have been deemed critically overdrafted by SGMA, which will have dramatic consequences for agriculture.
The photos above are taken at the regenerative almond orchards at Burroughs Family Farms in the San Joaquin Valley. Above photo with sheep and below photo of almond blossoms are taken by Shawn Linehan.
— Deep Dive With Us and Take Action! —
Over the course of this learning journey, we will explore this rapidly changing landscape in the Central Valley (with a focus on the San Joaquin Valley) raising these questions among others:
- What is the role of philanthropy during this transition?
- How can we leverage our collective funding to create transformational change leading to a more just, equitable, healthy, and sustainable system?
With facilitation by Nikki Silvestri of Soil & Shadow, we will:
- Learn from field leaders doing the work on ground;
- Spend time understanding the context and ecology relevant to the Central Valley; and
- Strategize with the NRI team on the opportunity and action steps we can take as funders.
— What this IS and What this ISN'T—
This is a new convening so we want to share a bit on what to expect (and what not to) as you decide whether this is a conversation you want to be part of.
What this IS:
- an opportunity to learn together about the specific context of the Central Valley (with a focus on the San Joaquin Valley (SJV));
- a place to develop shared principles as a funder community to support people on the ground working towards creating thriving ecosystems and communities in the Central Valley;
- a conversation centered on AGRICULTURE that also acknowledges the adjacent and interconnected issues of this landscape (such as policy, labor, housing, technology, etc);
- a space to share what is ACTUALLY HAPPENING on the ground through concrete examples sourced from convening participants; and
- a chance to be in the room with diverse and potentially divergent perspectives that will help us gain a new sense of what's possible in the Central Valley.
What this IS NOT:
- not a SJV/Central Valley stakeholders meeting with all perspectives represented;
- not a place to define, prescribe or make a master plan for what the Central Valley should become; and
- not a space to workshop examples from other geographies; and
- not a “model,” in of itself, that can be applied elsewhere, given the specific context of the Central Valley.
— WHO is this For? —
This convening is geared towards philanthropists, impact investors, and other financial activists interested in exploring the promise of agriculture as part of the solution in the Central Valley. We'll also have a few farmers and field leaders participating to help us understand the context on the ground.
In essence, if you love the Central Valley, if you are hopeful about the Central Valley, if you are actively working in the Central Valley, and if you are looking for co-conspirators and partners in your work in the Central Valley, then this convening is for you!
Nourishment & Connection!
— Registration —
> Full-price registration is $750 and includes all programming, facilitation, and three days of organic meals.
> We do have scholarship registration available for $350 (price of meals at-cost) for those for whom additional support is critical for their attendance.
*Choosing the Full Registration option supports attendee scholarships for more diverse voices and perspectives that are a critically important part of this event. Please consider what capacity you (or your company/organization) has to cover your registration costs so that we can hold as much space as possible for folks who need the discounted rate to attend.
** Please note: Lodging is not included - please see below or email [email protected].
* * * *
* Participation is by invitation only. If you are interested or know of others who might be, please email [email protected]
— Details, Travel & FAQs —
Start/end time?
Our program will begin at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 21 (with check-in and an optional lunch beginning at 12:00pm), and will conclude with an optional lunch at 12:00pm on Thursday, May 23.
Are meals included?
Yes! You will be nourished with delicious, organic and locally-sourced meals: lunch + dinner on Day 1, breakfast + lunch + dinner on Day 2, and breakfast + lunch on Day 3.
Is lodging included?
No - your registration does not include lodging so please see options below and email [email protected] to reserve a spot.
I'm flying! What do I need to know?
For those booking flights, the closest airports to Paicines Ranch are San Jose (1.5 hours north) and Monterey (1 hour west) followed by San Francisco or Oakland (2 hours north). We recommend that you book flights arriving no later than 11:00am on Tuesday and leaving no earlier than 3:00pm on Thursday.
A Note about Transportation: Unfortunately, there is not reliable public transportation all the way to the ranch as it is in a rural location so most people flying end up renting a car or carpooling. Please let us know if you need help with a ride and we'll do our best to arrange a carpool.
— Lodging Options —
Alternative lodging options are also available locally. Please contact any of the below for more information:
- Ridgemark - 10 miles from Ranch
- Best Western - located in Hollister, 15 miles from Ranch
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott - located in Hollister, 15 miles from Ranch
— Location: Paicines Ranch —
Located in central California's San Benito County, Paicines Ranch is a historic 7,600-acre ranch that works to regenerate ecosystems by growing healthy soil, nutrient-dense food and vibrant, diverse communities. Using the practices of regenerative agriculture, the ranch team manages this diverse landscape in partnership with nature and livestock to produce 100% grass-fed-and-finished lamb and beef, and pastured pork, turkey and eggs. Paicines Ranch also grow organic grain, as well as organic grapes in a polyculture vineyard that is designed to be managed by sheep. Over the years, the ranch has become a renown destination for learning about regenerative agriculture through their programs and educational workshops while also serving as a treasured location for hosting weddings, retreats, and events.
— Questions? —
— The NoRegrets Team —
This convening is a program of the Paicines Ranch Learning Center (PRLC) whose mission is to educate, inspire and connect people with new ideas and networks that advance healthy soil and healthy communities. Life in the soil is at the core of each gathering, convening and workshop that we hold. And the land is our key collaborator in the work to solve complex ecological and social problems. With our regenerative agricultural community, we are exploring and mapping a radically different path forward, and a commitment to educating ourselves.
The PRLC is a part of the #NoRegrets Initiative which is an integrated relationship-centered approach to land and asset management that uses a variety of capital – human, natural, investment, and philanthropic – to affect change in our agricultural food system.
