April 26th-28th, 2022
Paicines Ranch, California
Registration is now open for the FORA All Member Meeting and Learning Journey! The FORA staff and board, in partnership with the #NoRegrets Initiative and Paicines Ranch Learning Center teams, invite you to a three-day immersive convening April 26th-28th, 2022.
— Learning Journey Meets FORA Member Gathering —
This will be the first time FORA members have gathered in person since our first, and only, official meeting in January 2020. Since that time, we have grown from a dozen or so members, to approaching 80 members and, as the membership has grown, so has the variety of our members, in terms of field level knowledge, size, focus areas and regions, interests, types of capital deployed and beyond. As such, with this gathering, the team will be facilitating a very unique and rich experience that will weave together both the Paicines Ranch Learning Center’s Learning Journey elements along with FORA specific networking and programming opportunities.
Our goal is to have FORA members leave this gathering with
- deeper and richer knowledge on the power of regeneration through agriculture and
- deeper and richer relationships and connections with the entire FORA community
With this in mind, we will carve out time throughout the agenda for networking, socializing, fun interactive activities, and relaxed conversation as you get to know your peers and form stronger bonds and reciprocity with one another. As we conclude our time together on Thursday, we will channel the deep learning we have done over the 3 days together to explore and commit to the collaborative strategies and pooled funding that will lead us into the next phase of our work together.
— What is the Paicines Ranch Learning Journey? —
Designed for impact investors, philanthropists, and other financial activists, this land-based gathering illustrates the power of regenerative and relational agriculture to grow a thriving food system resilient to climate change – and the power of people like you to extend its practice and impact. It is what we have learned from using these agricultural practices at Paicines Ranch that has informed the way we think about philanthropy and investing, and is at the core of our land and asset management strategy.
— How it Works —
Expert-led demonstrations, group discussions, case studies, and incredible organic meals will provide an open sharing and dissemination of the principles of regenerative farming and ranching in practice at Paicines Ranch. You will explore exciting topics such as: diversified cropland integrating livestock in an annual system; holistically managed rangeland using grazing to increase diversity and ecosystem health; and a polyculture perennial-based vineyard designed to be managed by grazing livestock. We will then take what we have learned on the land and layer it into discussions and case studies on how we deploy financial resources, and to whom.
— Who Should Attend —
Attendance for this meeting is by invitation-only and is for FORA members only, in addition to a select few partners that FORA will be asking to participate.
We ask that FORA members aim to bring 1-2 members of their staff or board, but if you have additional staff or board members who would like to attend, please reach out directly to FORA staff.
— Agenda Components —
Soil Ecology and Photosynthesis
We lay a foundation for understanding how regenerating soil using the power of photosynthesis is the fastest way to increase diversity and ecosystem health, drawdown carbon out of the atmosphere, increase water holding capacity, decrease soil temperature, stabilize the climate, and grow a resilient food system. We will discuss our practical understanding of:
- The role of mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, and other microbes in sequestering carbon
- Increasing soil nutrient availability and plant health
- Increasing nutrient density of crops
- Increasing resilience of soil in an unpredictable climate
- Reducing off farm fertility inputs by optimizing photosynthesis
- Principles and applications to support stable soil carbon sequestration
#NoRegrets Initiative Regenerative Asset Management Strategy
This relationship-centered approach to land and asset management deploys human, ecological and financial capital toward soil health and its effect on climate change. We will present our vision of a world in which all agricultural ecosystems are managed for health, diversity and long-term sustainability. Incorporating what we will have just learned on the land at Paicines, we will use case studies and discussions to show how to incorporate regenerative principles into decision-making for grants and investments. By weaving in these examples of this strategy at work throughout the agenda, we will provide a practical understanding of the questions we ask and the decision-making framework we use to support the farmers, ranchers and organizations who are stewarding our lands.
Exploring Decision Making Through Investment Case Studies
More information coming soon.
Regenerative Agricultural Principles in Practice at Paicines Ranch
Regenerative Farming Practices:
Paicines Ranch has 600 acres of diversified cropland integrating livestock grazing that is designed to treat soil as a complex living entity managed for maximum health. A field tour will compare previous management of an industrial organic agricultural system to one that is in transition to a biological-based agricultural system. Using simple monitoring devices, we will look at water infiltration, plant diversity, soil structure, soil temperature, and nutrient density.
Holistically Managed Rangeland:
Paicines Ranch has 7,000 acres of rangeland managed to encourage biological diversity with multiple ecological and economic benefits including livestock for grazing/browsing, fiber, meat, and offspring; and plants for food, forage, shade, windbreak, deep nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, and habitat for insects and wildlife. A field tour on the rangeland will allow participants to observe the outcomes of managing to improve ecosystem health, including water cycle, mineral cycle, diversity, and energy flow.
From Design to Vine to Ovine to Wine - A Polyculture Vineyard:
We will demonstrate what intentional design looks like by touring a diverse, perennial-based vineyard system that is designed to be managed by sheep to address multiple functions. These functions inclue nutrient cycling, vegetation control, suckering, pest suppression, and successional development of plants and soils.
Incorporating What You Have Learned Into Collaborative Action
More information coming soon.
Unstructured Time to Connect, Network & Socialize
One of our goals is that you will come away from this gathering with a new community of peers to connect, collaborate, and find partnership with. With that in mind, we will carve out unstructured time throughout the agenda for networking, socializing and relaxed conversation as you get to know your peers.
— Delicious Meals —
You'll get to enjoy farm-to-table breakfasts, lunches and dinners featuring pastured meat raised on Paicines Ranch and locally grown organic fruit and vegetables. We'll also source from the #NoRegrets portfolio of producers working on food system change.
Meals will be curated and prepared by Chef Carlos Canada, formerly with Flea Street in Silicon Valley and a master at creating fresh, in-season, organic, and local ingredient-driven meals.
— Important Information: COVID-19 —
Paicines Ranch and the Paicines Ranch Learning Center follow all national, state and county guidelines with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. We prioritize guest and staff safety above all else and our entire team is working hard to be as thoughtful and thorough as possible in the midst of the changing landscape. We plan to host as much of the convening outdoors as possible, and will continue to monitor and continue to adapt as needed.
Vaccination status: Due to the continued spread of COVID19, we are limiting this convening to fully-vaccinated individuals only. If you are unvaccinated, we invite you to join us at a future meeting.
COVID Testing: Our plan, currently, is to ask that all attendees take an at-home antigen test within 24 hours of arriving, or a PCR test within 72 hours of arriving. You will need to bring your negative test results with you in order to check-in (either a PDF copy of results or a picture of negative antigen if doing your test at home). We will have additional at-home antigen tests on site should anyone develop symptoms or need to test on arrival. As the situation changes, we will update everyone on any changes to our testing protocols and plans. If you need assistance procuring an at-home antigen test prior to arrival or have other extenuating circumstances, please reach out directly to FORA staff.
We know everyone is worn out from COVID and this continues to be a challenging time for many, but if we do what we can to keep everyone healthy and safe in advance of our arrival, the more relaxed and enjoyable the experience will be once we are together.
Masking Protocols: With a continuously evolving situation, we will monitor both the national, state and local health guidelines as we approach our gathering in April and set clear masking protocols for time spent indoors together at least 30 days prior to our gathering. We will ensure that any masking protocols and requirements are clearly communicated in advance and these measures will be reiterated and maintained throughout our time together.
Social Distancing Color Coding: We also plan to provide a color coded system for members to show their personal COVID comfort level, to make interaction easier and more fluid during this time together.
Refund Policy and Cancel By Date: FORA will be covering the costs of the event, with the only costs to members being lodging costs at Paicines Ranch or nearby hotels, and your individual travel costs. In the event of needing to cancel our gathering due to growing public health concerns or other challenges, we will make a decision and alert all members by March 25th, 2022 (30 days prior). All lodging at Paicines Ranch will be 100% refundable, but we ask that if you do need to cancel, to let us know at least one week before the event begins so we can open up space to others. We recommend that members plan accordingly by securing refundable options when booking your flights or other nearby lodging.
— Facilitator —
Nikki Silvestri
Nikki is the Founder and CEO of Soil and Shadow, a coaching and consulting firm bringing social and environmental entrepreneurs more impact in their work and joy in their lives. As an entrepreneur and serial non-profit Executive Director, Nikki has invited thousands of leaders and hundreds of business and organizations into more in-depth conversations around the intersection of ecology, economy, and social equity. Her wide-ranging career has taken her from presentations at the White House and negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency to intimate workshops with local businesses and small retail organizing. A nationally recognized thought leader and international keynote speaker, her many honors include being named one of The Root’s 100 Most Influential African Americans.
— Registration —
Registration for the FORA All Member Meeting and Learning Journey is free, and includes all meals and programming. Lodging is separate and can be booked while registering. Please follow the below link to our Eventbrite page to register, and use the passcode you received in your invitation.
Attendance for this meeting is by invitation-only and is for FORA members only
— Lodging —
Stay at the historic Paicines Ranch and explore that the area has to offer. Lodging consists of an assortment of cottages, full-kitchen houses, and private rooms with endless landscapes.
Here are the rates for a for a 3 night stay (April 26-29), with an option to add an additional 4th night for those arriving on Monday evening (April 25):
- Private room/private bath - $417 + taxes (+$139 addtl night)
- Private room/shared bath - $330 + taxes (+$110 addtl night)
- Camping/RV space - $20 / $40
- 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
— Travel —
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).
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. If you need help getting to the ranch, the FORA team will set up a carpooling spreadsheet in early March to help people coordinate.
— Schedule —
Our program will begin at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 26, and will conclude with an evening dinner and last night party at 6:00pm on Thursday, April 28. Here is a quick snapshot of the agenda for the beginning of the convening if that helps you make your travel plans:
Monday, April 25
4:00 - 6:00pm ~ Early Arrivals and Check-in
6:30 - 8:00pm ~ Welcome Reception & Dinner
Tuesday, April 26
7:00 - 8:00am ~ Breakfast (for overnight guests and early arrivals)
8:15 - 9:45am ~ Arrivals and Check-in ((breakfast bars and coffee available)
9:45 am ~ Call to Gather (programming begins!)
10:00 - 10:30 am ~ Orientation, Introductions & Kick-off
We will be sending a more detailed agenda for our entire time together at least two weeks in advance of our Meeting.
— 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? —
All other questions can go to the FORA team at [email protected]
— Conveners —
Funders for Regenerative Agriculture (FORA) is a collaborative funder network aiming to inform, educate, organize, provide collaborative opportunities, and recruit new members in support of regenerative agricultural systems. FORA’s members are a diverse set of funders that work across various forms of capital in order to learn, act, and invest together.
The #NoRegrets Initiative 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. A part of #NoRegrets, the Paicines Ranch Learning Center (PRLC) works to educate, inspire and connect people with new ideas and networks that advance healthy soil and healthy communities.
