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Two Years In: How F3 Local Is Strengthening California’s Food Economy

Admin

Feb 14, 2025

Expanding markets, supporting small farms, and driving innovation in the Central Valley

It’s hard to believe that the F3 (Farms, Food, Future) Initiative is approaching its three-year mark. What started as a bold vision to strengthen California’s local food economy has evolved into a dynamic network of farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and community organizations working together to create meaningful change.

Last month, the F3 Local team gathered under one roof for our Winter Gathering—a day dedicated to reflecting on the past year’s progress, sharing updates from across the initiative, and aligning our goals for the year ahead. These gatherings are a rare but valuable opportunity to step away from the daily grind and reconnect around the big picture: supporting small farms, expanding market access, introducing new technologies, and strengthening the food system in California’s Central Valley.

With so many moving parts—agtech demonstrations, small farm initiatives, community kitchens, and marketing efforts—F3 Local is tackling food system challenges from multiple angles. This meeting was a chance to check in on what’s working, where we can improve, and how we’ll continue building momentum in 2025.

Below, you’ll find highlights from our day: key program milestones, technology updates, and a glimpse of where F3 Local is heading next.


What Is F3Local?

F3 Local is a regional initiative within the broader F3 Initiative, which was launched to transform California’s Central Valley into a hub for climate-smart agrifood technology and innovation. While F3 focuses on large-scale economic growth, commercialization, and technology development, F3 Local zeroes in on small-scale farmers, food entrepreneurs, and community-driven solutions. Led by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and key partners, we support farmers by expanding access to markets, technology, and funding. Through farmer-led innovation, technical assistance, and infrastructure projects, we ensure that small and mid-sized producers can benefit from the same advancements driving agricultural transformation across the region.

F3 Local’s Impact: 2024 Highlights Expanding Market Opportunities

  • Helping Farmers Secure Farm to School Grants: Through technical assistance and guidance, F3 Local helped five farms successfully apply for $1.3 million in Farm to School grants, enabling them to provide fresh, locally grown food to schools across the region. This support allowed farmers to expand operations, improve food safety, and strengthen farm-to-school supply chains—ultimately delivering healthier meals to more students. In total, our assistance boosted Central Valley producer sales by $1.8 million, guiding small farms through grant applications, compliance, and distribution.

  • Helping Schools Source More Local Food: In 2024, F3 Local worked closely with partners to broaden Farm to School procurement efforts across the San Joaquin Valley. This involved helping small farms connect with school districts and navigate distribution and pricing challenges. By building these relationships, we increased access to fresh, locally grown food in school meal programs while also opening new market channels for small producers. Beyond procurement, this initiative promoted food education, teaching students about local agriculture and healthy eating habits.

  • Hosting Flavor Fest to Connect Farmers with Consumers: In 2024, F3 Local launched Flavor Fest to celebrate the Central Valley’s diverse food system and create new market opportunities for small farmers. Held at the River Park Farmers Market in Fresno, the event featured tastings, cooking demonstrations, and storytelling, connecting farmers and food entrepreneurs with the community. This year’s focus was jujube, a specialty crop primarily grown by Hmong farmers, with attendees sampling jujube-based products and learning about their significance. By increasing awareness and demand for locally grown foods, Flavor Fest helped expand direct-to-market sales for small producers. Looking ahead, it will continue as an annual event, highlighting specialty crops and strengthening regional food networks.

Supporting Small Farms’ Growth & Innovation

  • Supporting Growth for Farmers: In 2024, F3 Local facilitated resources and connections for Fresno BIPOC Produce (FBP), which grew from a one-person operation to a four-person team. FBP secured a $700,000 grant for a new distribution facility and purchased a refrigerated truck, streamlining logistics. The group also expanded sales by providing produce to the Los Angeles Unified School District, generating $1.3 million in revenue. Additionally, FBP helped 15 farms attain Group GAP certification, granting them access to larger markets.

  • Encouraging Innovation in Small-Scale Farming: To encourage farmer-led innovations, F3 Local organized the Small Farm Innovation Challenge, awarding $10,000 in grants to entrepreneurs, students, and farm tech developers. Projects included Trusty Tools (a labor-saving implement), Drying Rack (produce-preservation system), and Pesto RX (a value-added approach for surplus crops). By offering early-stage funding and connecting these ideas to industry partners, we helped speed up the development of tools suited to small-scale operations.

  • Farmer Feedback Driving Innovation: F3 Local actively gathers farmer feedback through workshops, field days, and farm visits to shape future innovations. At the lemongrass harvester field day, farmers identified needed improvements to the harvesting tool, sparking discussions on better management practices and new market opportunities for the crop. Similarly, a sprayer calibration workshop generated strong interest among small-scale farmers, leading F3 Local to explore developing an affordable orchard sprayer tailored to their needs. These events not only introduced farmers to new technologies but also ensured their voices guide future solutions.

Bridging Farmers & Technology

  • Identifying Needs & Building Infrastructure: In 2024, F3 Local hosted two Small Farm Tech Expos, allowing farmers and technology providers to interact through demonstrations and workshops. The first expo took place at Madera Community College, drew nearly 100 attendees, and offered sessions in Spanish and Hmong. The second, held in Kingsburg, attracted over 110 participants and showcased additional tech demos. Looking ahead, the 5th Small Farm Tech Expo (December 2025) will focus on precision tools and sustainable solutions.

  • Facilitating Hands-On Learning Through Field Workshops: Throughout the year, F3 Local coordinated a series of field workshops designed to make agricultural technology more accessible. F3 Local in collaboration with UC Davis introduced a Lemongrass Harvester and demonstrated in farmer’s field, and collected farmer feedback on a new harvesting device. The VINE Connect Field Day showcased agtech solutions to labor shortages. The Sprayer Calibration & Demonstration Field Day, which targeted the small farmers community in the Central Valley, introduced spray booms and provided educational training on the technology and its applications. This event also included educational workshops on spray drift, its implications, and measures to control.

  • New Tools Development:  OWL (Open Weed Locator), a weed detection system that boosts efficiency and sustainability, is currently a project that F3 is collaborating with CENID (Center for Engineering Innovation and Design) in efforts to develop affordable technology solutions for small scale farmers in the Central Valley. From the feedback collected from farmers, a new project to develop an orchard sprayer using similar technology is on target to compete in 2025. F3 Local is also collaborating with the engineering team at UC Davis to develop a machine to harvest lemongrass, which is conventionally harvested by hand. After a demonstration in a local farm, and gathering feedback, the tool is currently being adjusted to make improvements to meet the farmers’ needs. Upon completion and adoption of these tools, farmers will improve their farming practices and increase their productivity and sustainability. 

Identifying Needs & Building Infrastructure

  • Identifying Small Farm Technology Needs: Working with UCANR, F3 Local facilitated a Needs Assessment to determine the technology gaps that small-scale farmers face. The findings spotlighted affordable small-scale machinery, precision irrigation, shared cold storage, and cost-effective weed and pest control. We are now collaborating with partners to enhance the Equipment Lending Library, test new labor-saving devices, and support precision spraying and drone-based pest control solutions. These efforts ensure emerging technology aligns with genuine farmer needs.

  • Supporting the Development of a Community Kitchen in Fresno: F3 Local has partnered with Cultiva La Salud and others to raise funds for a Community Kitchen in Fresno, envisioned as a shared-use space for local food entrepreneurs and mobile vendors. With $1.7 million raised toward a $3 million goal, the facility will encourage small business growth and improve access to culturally relevant foods in underserved communities. Funders include the Kresge Foundation, 11th Hour Project, and the City of Fresno, with additional efforts underway to secure the remaining $1.3 million.

  • Providing Business & Product Development Wrap Around Services: F3 Local offers one-on-one guidance to farmers and food entrepreneurs, helping them access grants, shared kitchen spaces, and processing opportunities. The team has supported emerging food hubs and connected makers with affordable kitchen rentals. With a food scientist PhD on board, F3 Local also provides product development insights and consumer studies to help businesses refine their offerings and reach the right markets.

Engaging Research & Collaboration

  • Understanding Consumer Preferences to Help Small Producers: F3 Local assisted in a Consumer Preference Study to examine local food trends. At the Flavor Festival at River Park Farmers Market, 128 attendees tasted six jujube-based products, with jujube ice cream emerging as the top pick (91% approval, 86% purchase intent). These findings guide food entrepreneurs in product development, branding, and marketing strategies. We continue to promote this work through sensory analysis training, branding workshops, and consumer research.

  • Facilitating Research & Industry Collaborations: F3 Local partners with UCANR, UC Davis, and industry leaders to coordinate research trials and technology testing in the Central Valley. These collaborations focus on soil health, integrated pest management, and irrigation innovations, providing small-scale growers with access to science-backed tools. Field trials and economic feasibility studies help farmers identify practical solutions to reduce labor and improve productivity. Ongoing research on the carpophilus beetle, a new invasive pest affecting almonds and pistachios, aims to develop effective management strategies to protect Central Valley farms. In 2025, F3 Local will expand collaborations on sustainable fertilizers, smart soil monitoring devices, and new pest control solutions to support long-term farm viability.

Looking Ahead: 2025 Priorities

  • Expanding Access to Farm Equipment Through the Lending Library Set to launch in Spring 2025, the F3 Local Equipment Lending Library will provide small-scale farmers with access to essential agricultural tools and equipment, helping reduce barriers to technology adoption. Located at the Kearney Research and Extension Center, this resource hub will offer tools like compost spreaders, transplanters, and front loaders, allowing farmers to test and demo new technologies without the upfront costs of ownership. We have worked to facilitate this initiative by helping connect resources, ensuring that small farmers have the opportunity to integrate more efficient tools into their operations. By providing greater access to modern equipment, the lending library will support sustainable farming practices and increase productivity for local growers.

  • Developing a Regional Brand to Elevate Central Valley Food: To strengthen market opportunities for local farmers and food producers, F3 Local is supporting the development of a regional branding identity for California’s Central Valley. Guided by the Del Valle Marketing Advisory Group, this effort will create a cohesive and recognizable brand that resonates with both consumers and producers. The initiative will promote local food products through storytelling, packaging, and marketing strategies, increasing visibility for the region’s diverse agricultural offerings. By engaging community stakeholders and conducting market research, we’re helping to shape a campaign that highlights the region’s agricultural heritage, supports small-scale farmers, and expands access to high-value markets. The campaign is set to launch in Q2 2025 and aims to boost consumer awareness and demand for Central Valley-grown food.

  • Facilitating Technology Solutions Through SF-ADAPT: The Small Farm Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology (SF-ADAPT), was launched in December 2024 with a goal to expand efforts to engage small-scale farmers by connecting them with affordable, small-scale technology solutions. The alliance represents the stakeholders from the local small farming communities, research and ag tech communities. The program has prioritized precision spraying innovations, cold storage advancements, and multi-use farm implements, addressing key challenges identified by farmers. The alliance will continue identifying the priority issues on farms and will try to address those issues in a collaborative manner. In addition to these partnerships, SF-ADAPT will continue to organize farm tours and technology demonstrations, including a 5th Small Farm Tech Expo in December 2025. SF-ADAPT will hold a quarterly meeting to engage with all the stakeholders and discuss the current and immediate technological needs at farm and prioritize those needs to help develop technological solutions that will help the local small scale farming community.

Thank You to Our Community

Thank you to every farmer, entrepreneur, partner, and supporter who helped make 2024 such a meaningful year for F3 Local. We appreciate the dedication of our core partner organizations—UC ANR, CAFF, Cultiva La Salud, Fresno Metro Ministry, and more—as well as the Central Valley Community Foundation and the F3 Initiative for making all of this possible. A special thank-you goes out to the farmers and food business owners who keep us going with their willingness to try new ideas and share feedback. We look forward to working together again in the coming year.

Get Involved 

Want to be part of F3 Local? We’d love to connect and keep the conversation going.

  • Reach out: Have questions or ideas? Get in touch through our contact page or email Helle Petersen (F3 Local Regional Director) at hepetersen@ucanr.edu or Charrisha Hillery (F3 Local Program Manager) at cdhillery@ucanr.edu. We’re always looking to collaborate!

  •  Stay connected: Follow us on social media for updates, success stories, and insights from the field. We regularly highlight small farm innovations, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.

  • Join us at an upcoming event: Keep an eye out for opportunities to engage with F3 Local in person. In 2025, we’ll be hosting events like the Small Farm Tech Expo, field demonstrations, and hands-on training workshops to connect farmers with new tools, technology, and resources. Stay tuned for dates and details!


F3 Local is part of the larger F3 Initiative, awarded funding in 2022 by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge. This Agrifood Technology and Engineering Cluster is working to position the Central Valley’s ag-based industry and farmers to be competitive, resilient, and sustainable.

Click here to learn more.

 

Let's build the future of food together!  

F3 Initiative logo all in white with fruit and leaves, two smaller gears. F3 Local Food Farm Future

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