Farm to Fork 2014: Part 1 of 3

Held on the breathtaking UC Santa Cruz Farm overlooking the Monterey Bay, this wonderful event celebrated the sustainable agriculture programs at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (CASFS). The event raised funds to support the apprentices who study, live, and work there. The dinner was prepared by CheFarmer Matthew Raiford, a CASFS apprenticeship alumnus who also established the Farm to Fork Benefit Dinner. CheFarmer Raiford is trained in classic French cuisine and has an affinity for Mediterranean flavors. A native of Brunswick, Georgia, he is co-owner of his family-owned Giliard Farms, an organic farm in Brunswick.

The emcee for the evening was Sandi Eason, who currently serves on the Board of Councilors in the Division of Social Sciences at UC Santa Cruz. The keynote speaker was Catherine Sneed, who founded the The Garden Project, a horticulture training program that provides job training and support to former offenders. UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal delivered the welcome message. CASFS Executive Director Daniel Press offered a homily. The evening also included music provided by the Lose Valley String Band and a live auction withLee Joseph,an auctioneer and parent of a CASFS apprentice from the class of 2014.

The event took place on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

See also: Part 2 and Part 3 of the Farm to Fork photo set.

Photos by Melissa De Witte.