Getting off the Hamster Wheel: Whole Farm Profitability
January 28, 2025
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Getting off the Hamster Wheel: Whole Farm Profitability
It is no secret that many of America’s farmers feel stuck on a hamster wheel. Generational farming is a national treasure, although at the same time it can become a burden if younger generations are not allowed to adapt with modern times using creativity. How can we reinvigorate the family farm, so it is fun, thriving, exciting and profitable for the long run? Gain new ideas for creating whole farm income from real world examples in this workshop-style session.
Small-group table discussion topics led by practitioners include: agritourism, animals, art, beneficial insects, biochar, carbon credits, ChatGPT business plans, compost, crop diversification, culinary partnerships, engaging with youth, farmer’s markets, non-wine value-added products, rare grape varieties, R&D tax credits, return on investment calculations, scale, skill set inventories, social media, and vertical integration.
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Moderator
Stephanie Bolton
Organization:
Lodi Winegrape Commission, California
Dr. Stephanie Bolton leads the Grower Research, Education, & Communications initiatives, plus the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, at the Lodi Winegrape Commission, an organization representing 750 growers farming around 90,000 acres of winegrapes. Stephanie brings to the table proven team organizational leadership, a high level of motivation and passion to discover both short- and long-term solutions for the farming families she adores, and an innate ability to creatively open communication channels between growers, scientists, and relative industry personnel. In 2023 she was selected as a Nuffield International Farming Scholar, a Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Honoree, and a Wine Business Monthly Industry Leader.
Speakers
Tara Beaver Coronado
Organization:
Beaver Vineyards, California
Tara grew up in the Sacramento River Delta. Although she grew up on a farm, she never thought she would become a farmer. After a few years away from the farm, she found it calling her back. She returned to her family’s farm in 2015 where her dad grew corn and alfalfa. Her parents encouraged her to find her own farming path, which led her to The California Farm Acadamy. Here she was exposed to all different areas of agriculture. She fell in love with the idea of planting a vineyard and made it her goal over the next few years. In 2018 she successfully planted 50 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, with her first harvest in 2020.
She shares her love for farming across social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, which has opened the door to many other opportunities in the agricultural space. Tara not only shows her daily life on the farm, but the diversity and importance of California agriculture.