Limited-resource and small-scale farmers are eligible for full and partial scholarships that will enable them to attend the Nov. 17-19 California Small Farm Conference in Ventura.

The University of California's Small Farm Center is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to award small-scale farmers the resources they need to attend this informative, practical conference.

To qualify for scholarships, a farmer must be living in California, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be a small-scale farmer with annual income under $250,000 or a limited-resource farmer with annual income under $100,000. The scholarship covers the cost of registration, lodging, lunches and dinners, and mileage for attendees who live more than 50 miles from Ventura.

To apply for a conference scholarship, a farmer must complete a brief application form and return it to his or her region's Small Farm Advisor before Oct. 15. Application forms and information can be obtained from Birgit Hempel at the UC Davis-based UC Small Farm Center at (530) 752-8136 or by e-mail at sfcenter@ucdavis.edu.

The California Small Farm Conference offers seven workshop tracks on topics such as farm management, specialty crops, innovative marketing strategies, and organic and low-input production. Additional full- and half-day courses address value-added products, direct marketing, soil science, specialty animal enterprises and drip irrigation in greater detail. Tours and visits offer a closer look at specialty crop production, farmers' markets, and on-farm conservation in the area. In addition, a tasting event will highlight the food and wine of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Ojai and vicinity.