BFI News
Building a Bigger Table:
Photos from BFI’s Fall Career Programming
Since 2017, BFI has connected our undergraduate and graduate student community to career panels, farm tours, resume review and mock interview workshops, and conferences. Our unique position at the nexus of UC Berkeley campus and researchers, the wider Bay Area community, and state and federal policy representatives allows us the unique ability to connect up-and-coming food systems workers with knowledgeable professionals.
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Food Systems Career Panel of Experts
Berkeley City College, November 5
From organic agriculture to sustainable sourcing to food communications and research, guest speakers, from a wide range of food systems career paths shared their unique career journeys and advice for building a fulfilling and successful career in the food system. The panel was facilitated by Graduate Certificate in Food Systems students Amanda Fong, Charlotte McGoldrick, and Ava Barnett.
Featured Panelists include: Catherine Van Dyke (Community Alliance with Family Farmers), Shannen Casey (UC Berkeley Sustainability Program), Arabelle Schoenberg (FEED Sonoma), Linda Renteria (Casa Sanchez Foods), Haven Bourque (Saba Grocers), and Peter Cohen (Center for Good Food Purchasing).
Watsonville Farm Field Day
Rancho Corralitos, Watsonville, November 6
BFI and student staff joined Wild Farm Alliance and the Santa Cruz Resource Conservation District at the Rancho Corralitos, 177-acre organic farm farm in Watsonville for a discussion about how diverse habitat, pollinators, beneficial insects, hedgerows, cover crops, and other agroecology techniques can support successful on-farm pest management.
Beyond the Field Workshop
Oxford Tract, October 16
On a sunny afternoon on Oxford Tract, students joined farmers, organizers, and researchers in a panel discussion and land walk to talk about their paths into organic agriculture, agroecology and food system resilience.
Featured Panelists include Annie Edwards (USDA), Brooke Porter (Agroecology Commons), Colleen Hotchkiss (Alameda County Resource Conservation District), and Shufang Tian (UC ANR).
Our career development programs are made possible by the US Department of Agriculture’s Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Led by California Certified Organic Farmers, BFI is working with a coalition of partners to provide the support for transitioning and existing organic farmers throughout the Western United States.
