Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from F3 Local, Public & Government Service, 550 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA.
F3 Local specifically emphasizes the exploration of technology adoption and production opportunities for small-scale farmers and producers, especially those belonging to the region’s historically underserved food and farming communities.
04/26/2026
Our Research Assistant, Sara Qaderi, had her Master of Science exit seminar today! We're celebrating her hard work and this well-earned accomplishment.
She has been doing field-based monitoring of water use in jujube orchards and shared this academic work with faculty and peers.
04/18/2026
What is Agritourism? Agritourism connects local agriculture to the local community. The University of California defines agritourism as “a commercial enterprise at a working farm or ranch conducted for the enjoyment and education of visitors that generates supplemental income for the owner or operator.” Agritourism includes:
1. On-farm direct sales such as U-pick and farmstands
2. Education such as classes, workshops, tours, and tastings
3. Events and entertainment such as harvest festivals, weddings, and farm dinners
4. Lodging such as camping, glamping, and farm stays
5. Outdoor Recreation such as horseback riding, hiking, and swimming
2. Education, such as classes, workshops, tours, and tastingsgram coming soon with Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program - SAREP
Complete our interest form at tinyurl.com/f3-agtourism for further details!
04/15/2026
Meet us in Sacramento next week! April 21st is California Ag Day, which will be hosted in partnership with California Department of Food and Agriculture and California Women for Agriculture.
Ag Day is an annual celebration recognizing California's agricultural community by showcasing the bounty of crops 🌱 and commodities produced in our state.
It is also a day for 🧑🌾 farmers and ranchers to show their appreciation by bringing together state legislators, government leaders, and the public for agricultural education.
Our UC Agriculture & Natural Resources team will be presenting on
🪲 Insects affecting farmers' crops in the valley
🚜 Equipment lending for small farmers
⚙️ Educating and connecting small farmers to appropriate technology
and much more!
04/11/2026
In case you missed our Organic Field Day with Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) , and UC Agriculture & Natural Resources Climate Smart Agriculture at UC Merced on our blog, Marisa Johnson shares Organic Soil Health and Pest Management Strategies shared at the event:
❓What they are: Soil health testing and biological pest controls.
‼️Why they matter: Plant health and harmful pest prevention.
✅How to implement them: regenerative practices and beneficial insects.
Read more on our blog to see how you can implement these practices.
https://www.f3local.org/post/organic-farming-in-the-san-joaquin-valley-optimizing-soil-health-and-managing-pests
04/07/2026
Do you have what it takes to amplify local food economies and farm innovation?
You could be the one to implement communications campaigns across F3 Local and affiliated initiatives, support live and near-live posting at local and regional events, and be at the forefront of empowering small-scale farmers and producers to optimize their operations.
It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
👩🌾 Join our Team at F3 Local as a Communication Coordinator based in Fresno.
Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gYCAzUwz
04/04/2026
In case you missed it, our Lending Library Coordinator, Amber Butland, joined Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) for their 2026 Small Farms Conference for their panel discussing Cooperative Tool Lending.
Other panelists included EAT Cultural Center, Gonzales-Siemens Family Farm, and New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food.
You can watch the replay on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WyDQf2KScs
04/03/2026
Back in March, the F3 Local team, clients, and local farmers visited Kearney REC to learn about:
🌱 growing tea plants in the Central Valley
🔎 tea appreciation and culture
🍵 The Global Tea Institute's Study of Tea Culture and Science
Participants were able to tour the Kearney tea field and greenhouse, and learn about equipment needs and costs.
The day was capped off with a sensory experience of different types of tea and the opportunity to take home a plant.
To learn more about the Global Tea Institute and read more about tea from Comstock's magazine , scan the QR codes on the last slide.
This month, we co-hosted a Field Day for Organic and organic-transitioning growers with Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and UC Merced Cooperative Extension, Climate Smart Agriculture, in Madera.
Over several weeks, we took soil samples for farmers, and they received their results at the event.
Touyee Thao, PhD, F3 Local Project Scientist and soil health expert, discussed how to interpret their results and how to decide best management practices based on soil nutrient levels.
This was followed by an Integrated Pest Management workshop, facilitated by Community Alliance with Family Farmers' Ecological Farming team.
🪤We looked at sticky traps
🐞Learned about beneficial insects,
🌱Shared various strategies for reducing pest pressures in organic systems
Attendees took home lacewing eggs and many other resources that can support their farms and their continued learning.
Last week, our team hosted James Olson, presenting on how to graft jujubes for propagation.
Grafting is one way to propagate jujube trees commercially.
It was a hands-on opportunity demonstrating how to attach a stem of the jujube variety you want to strong root stocks.
If you are interested in more information, you can reach out to Sara Qaderi at 559-770-2372 or [email protected]
03/10/2026
Want to start or grow a food business? You deserve support made to fit where you are in your business adventure.
The Food Team at F3 Local can help you launch your startup or improve your current business operation.
Reach out to one of our team members today!
https://www.f3local.org/what-we-do/wrap-around-services
03/06/2026
Calling all Selma Food Entrepreneurs! Join the Center for Community Transformation, instructor Tim Lambert, starting March 26th, 2026, for a free 4-week training to help accelerate your Food Business.
Interested in starting your business at home? The F3 Local Food Team will be joining the last week to discuss Cottage Food requirements.
Sign up today, while spots are still open!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHaSwgScmPyO2IUF0DEik9sHB-FLvR6tUIsk0AB7_qKmZ4mA/viewform
03/05/2026
Join UC Agriculture & Natural Resources at Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (KARE) on Thursday, March 19th, to learn about tea culture, tea cultivation in the Central Valley's climate, and to buy tea plants.
Sign up today! https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=48675