Why are chefs in Santa Cruz and beyond pitching in to help the Grow a Farmer campaign? It’s because they recognize the importance of cultivating new organic farmers and gardeners who have the training and knowledge to grow and market fresh, delicious organic food while caring for the land and communities in which they work.

For more than 40 years, that’s the type of graduate the Apprenticeship program at UC Santa Cruz has been turning out. On Sunday, June 7, Gabriella Café and Pie Ranch will team up to support the program with a “Grow a Farmer” benefit dinner at Pie Ranch, an educational farm located near Año Nuevo State Reserve.

“The apprenticeship program is essential to future of organic food and agriculture. It’s a pleasure and a gift to work with the many the people who have gone through the program and to use their produce in the restaurant,” says Brad Briske, Gabriella Café’s executive chef.

The evening will feature a five-course meal prepared by Briske using organic, seasonal produce, much of it from local farms started by graduates of the Apprenticeship program. The dinner will be followed by a silent auction, music, raffle, and talks from past apprentices.

Cost of the dinner is $75 or $85 (including wine), with a limited number of volunteer tickets available. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/66540.

Proceeds from the benefit will help fund the creation of permanent on-site housing to replace the practice of apprentices living in tents during the six-month, full-time training program. This residential aspect of the program not only immerses apprentices in the cycles of farming, but has kept the Apprenticeship affordable to participants from across the U.S and around the world.

Since 1967, more than 1,200 apprentices have been trained in the organic fields, orchards, and greenhouses at UCSC, and they’ve taken their organic growing skills around the country and overseas to work as farmers, urban gardeners, chefs, educators, and leaders in the growing organic food movement.

For more information or to schedule an interview with dinner organizer Joseph Sloggy please call (831) 334-1266 or email at jsloggy@gmail.com.