Media

California is known around the world as the gold standard for high quality, safely produced food products. This first segment of Growing California video series is a look at a young farmer making his way with a growing operation serving a number of Northern California restaurants. Toby Hastings’ story, “Free Spirit Farmer,” is an excellent example of innovation to meet demand and, as a young farmer, he meets a need we all have – new blood in agriculture.

Introducing the Growing California video series with "Free Spirit Farmer".

When former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara died earlier this year, he left behind a complicated legacy. While many still blame him for the deaths of thousands in Vietnam, his son has taken a different path. As an organic walnut farmer in the small Northern California town of Winters, Craig McNamara is disproving the old saying that 'the fruit never falls far from the tree.

Mina Kim of KQED from The California Report discusses Craig McNamara's roots and the roots that craig is leaving for future generations.

Officials say the average farmer in California is nearly 60 years old — and nearly 20 percent are older than 70. They say without an influx of younger and more ethnically diverse farmers, the state’s $37 billion industry will suffer.

KQED’s Forum discusses the graying of the agriculture industry in a broadcast from our Sacramento studios.

On hundreds of farms and ranches across California, Craig is introducing a new generation to agriculture by providing hands-on training to aspiring farmers and thousands of school-age students.

Craig talks about his story becoming a farmer and the challenges and rewards of the future of organic farming.

Craig talks about his story becoming a farmer and the challenges and rewards of the future of organic farming.

Visited Craig McNamara and Sierra Orchards during the Walnut Harvest of 2011. This is a short vignette about Craig and his connection to the land.

Sierra Orchard's Walnut Man from Wiley Rogers.

We talk about the rising interest in local agriculture with Patrick Mulvaney, Craig McNamara, and Dan Silva. In partnership with the American Leadership Forum.

Watch The Rising Interest in Local Agriculture on PBS. See more from KVIE.

When corporations went into the business and “organic” became a brand, everything changed. The philosophy and label grew apart.

This new documentary looks beyond organic for practical solutions for me and you. Local farmer’s markets, school gardens, and urban farms are revolutionizing the way we eat.

In Organic We Trust - Teaser #1 from Pasture Pictures.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives are popular again thanks to faithful baby boomers, a slew of younger fans and a whole new generation of owners.

Join Guy Fieri as he visits a town about 35 miles west of sacramento (Winters, CA), to check out Putah Creek Cafe.