The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm)

  • EcoFarm advances ecological and just farming and food systems through learning, convening, celebrating, and advocating.

  • Our vision is a world where ecological farming practices harmonize with social justice principles, fostering resilient and equitable food systems for all.

  • The Ecological Farming Association is a 44 year old non-­profit educational organization. EcoFarm's mission is to nurture safe, healthy, just, and ecologically sustainable farms, food systems, and communities by bringing people together for education, alliance building, advocacy, and celebration. Our programs bring together a diversity of stakeholders in California food production to promote grassroots leadership and regional solutions to decrease the negative impacts of industrial agriculture on environmental and community health. EcoFarm operates the largest sustainable agriculture conference west of the Mississippi every January.

  • Leonard Diggs, President | Pie Ranch

    Dru Rivers, Vice President | Full Belly Farm

    Anna Knight, Treasurer | Old Grove Orange

    Sue Kern, Secretary | Kern Family Farm

    Michael Ackley-Grady | CDFA

    Robina Bhatti | CSU Monterey Bay

    Hansel Kern | Kern Family Farm

    Steve Sprinkel | Farmer and Cook

    Therese Tuttle | Tuttle Law Group

    Adam Vega | Port of Hueneme

Harvesting Memories: A Look Back at EcoFarm's Evolution

  • Amigo Bob Cantisano

    EcoFarm founder, advisor, and organic farm movement advocate.

  • Dru Rivers

    Full Belly Farm co-owner, EcoFarm founder, advisor, and board member.

  • Dirt First

    Regional farmer-led EcoFarm workshops were organized throughout California.

  • Rob Felman

    Volunteer Rob Feldman (on the right) recorded the EcoFarm Conference workshops back in the early 80s when the conference was still held in La Honda, California. Rob continues to provide AV support at EcoFarm each year.

  • Brian Leahy with then Agriculture Secretary

    EcoFarm reps with Brian Leahy who helped pioneer California organic agriculture, Agriculture Secretary Ann M.Veneman, who in 2002 launched the implementation of USDA's national organic standards for agriculturual products, and Mark Mulcahy, organic produce devotee.

  • Hoes Down Harvest Festival

    EcoFarmers unite each year at Full Belly Farm for the Hoes Down Harvest Festival.

  • Steve Pavich

    Steve Pavich, founder of Pavich Family Farms, now the largest producer of certified organic table grapes in the world, making a mockery of chemical pesticides at the annual EcoFarm Conference.

  • Declaration for Sustainable Agriculture

    A panel of EcoFarm speakers and representatives of the Asilomar Declaration for Sustainable Agriculture.

  • The Beginning of EcoFarm

    The Committee for Sustainable Agriculture (later renamed the Ecological Farming Association) brought harvest baskets to California state capitol legislators as a statement and gift representing the importance of local farm-fresh produce.

  • Robert Rodale

    Robert Rodale of the Rodale Institute received the Sustie Award at the 1990 EcoFarm Conference.

  • Masanobu Fukuoaka

    Masanobu Fukuoaka, Japan's Great Grandfather of Natural Farming visited farms in California with Zea Sonnabend of EcoFarm.

  • Cafe Mam

    Cafe Mam coffee producers from Chiapas, Mexico attending EcoFarm with founder Dahinda Meda and Spanish/English interpreter, Adele Negro.

  • California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)

    California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) at the Hoes Down Harvest Festival.

  • Aspiring Farmer

    An aspiring farmer at the Hoes Down Harvest Festival.

  • Wavy Gravy

    Wheelbarrow race at the Hoes Down Harvest Festival emceed by Wavy Gravy, an American entertainer and activist for peace.

  • Vandana Shiva

    Vandana Shiva, an Indian scholar, environmental activist, and anti-globalization author receives a Sustie Award at EcoFarm.

  • Alice Waters and Michael Ableman

    Alice Waters and Michael Ableman received the Sustie Award at EcoFarm.

  • Van Dyke Ranch

    EcoFarm Tour of Van Dyke Ranch, a renowned fifth-generation California family farm that pioneered organic stone fruit.

  • Kristin Rosenow

    Kristin Rosenow, former and longtime EcoFarm Executive Director.

  • Ken Dickerson

    Ken Dickerson, former EcoFarm Executive Director, activist, and volunteer.

  • EcoFarm Grew to 1,900

    In 2014, the EcoFarm Conference grew to nearly 1,900 attendees.

  • Bob Scowcroft with Congressman Farr

    Bob Scowcroft with former Congressman Sam Farr at EcoFarm.

  • Seed Exchange at EcoFarm

    Seed Exchange opening circle, an EcoFarm Conference tradition.

  • Diversity Advisory Group

    EcoFarm continues to work on ways to increase the diversity of the conference with guidance from our Diversity Advisory Group (DAG).

  • We love to dance!

    EcoFarm is more than a conference. It’s a gathering for inspiration, renewal, and celebration.

  • Winona LaDuke

    Winona LaDuke receives the Justie Award.

  • Our youth are our future...

    Agriculture and the organic industry as we know it continues to grow and change. Join EcoFarm to help shape its future.