Strengthening our local food & farming system since 1973 | | June Along the Farm Trails | | |
In This Newsletter
- Eating in Season: Berries, Peaches, Little Gems & More
- Member Spotlights: Cassidy Ranch & School Garden Network
- Upcoming Experiences & Events
- Farm Facts: Home-Scale Regenerative Agriculture
- In Memoriam: Betty Carr & Peter Buckley
Also visit FarmTrails.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more news. We wish you happy Pride, happy Juneteenth, happy Summer Solstice, and happy Father's Day!
Above: If you love summer berries and peaches, you're in luck as local farm stands, farmers' markets, and CSAs are loaded! (Photo by The Farmers Photographer)
| | Eating in Season: Berries, Peaches, Little Gems & More | | |
The heat in March combined with a relatively wet April means local farms are beginning to burst with earlier-than-usual harvests of summer produce, especially berries, peaches, and Little Gem lettuces. In addition to member farmers' markets and other farm stands, here are some top picks for finding the perfect ingredients for summer salads and desserts! And check out the FEED Cooperative graphic inset to find out what else is season this month!
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Badger Ranch: Boysenberries and blueberries by the basket. Check Facebook and Instagram for harvest and details. 1841 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol.
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Boring Farm: U-pick organic raspberries. Reservations required. Tickets for Saturday slots (9am–1 pm) go on sale the preceding Wednesdays at 12pm. 4200 Canfield Road, Sebastopol.
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Cassidy Ranch: U-pick organic strawberries on weekends. Reservation required and time slots fill quickly. Check Instagram for latest. 22261 S. Central Ave., Sonoma.
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Chiatri de Laguna Farm: Limited amounts of boysenberries sold by the basket by appointment; email or call (707) 544-4582. 4993 Occidental Rd., Santa Rosa.
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Deep Roots Farm, U-pick strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries as they ripen; check Instagram for harvest and availability. 7000 Petaluma Hill Road, Penngrove.
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Dry Creek Peach: 30 varieties of organic yellow and white peaches through September. Farm stand is open Wednesdays at 12pm. Also find at the Healdsburg Farmers' Market on Saturdays. 2179 Yoakim Bridge Road, Healdsburg.
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Earthseed Farm: U-pick blackberries and raspberries begin in July by appointment. Visit website for open date and details. 3175 Sullivan Road, Sebastopol.
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FEED Cooperative: Weekly FEED Bins are heavy with Little Gems and a rotating mix of summer berries, peaches, and other stone fruit. You can also order the Fruit Delights Bin, a variety boxes of fruit from area farms, including Farm Trails members. Order online.
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Flatbed Farm: New variety Natchez blackberries at the farm stand now, plus strawberries, Little Gems, and more. Saturdays, 9am–3pm. 13450 Sonoma Hwy 12, Glen Ellen.
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Front Porch Farm: Little Gems at Healdsburg Farmers' Market, Saturdays, 8:30am–12pm. Put August 8 on your calendar for their blackberry U-pick. Details on their website.
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Golden Nectar Farm: Mixed CSA fruit box includes berries, peaches, stone fruit, and other fruit varieties, every 2 weeks, starting mid-July. Pickup at farm in Windsor or in Oakland. To get on our local mailing list, click here and select Windsor.
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Jupiter Foods: Locally sourced berries, peaches, and Little Gems, often from fellow Farm Trails members. Check out the Produce List on their website for weekly harvest and sources. 100 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma. 9am–6pm, closed Tuesdays & Sundays.
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Laguna Gold Fruit: Come July, their peach orchard will be ready for U-pick. Visit their website for opening date. Saturdays, 9am–1pm. 2600 Laguna Road, Santa Rosa.
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Let's Go Farm: Well known for the Seascape strawberry variety among other produce; sign up for CSA. Santa Rosa.
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Little Saint Farm: Strawberries and several varieties of Little Gems available via their CSA and at the farm stand (open to all) at Little Saint restaurant; 25 North Street, Healdsburg. Check Instagram for harvest, dates, and details.
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Serres Ranch: Blueberries by the basket, available at area markets once ripe, likely in late June.
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Singing Frogs Farm: The farm stand is filled with Little Gems, among other produce; find at Sebastopol Farmers' Market on Sundays or sign up for CSA.
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SingleThread Farm Store: Albion strawberries and lots more at the farm stand. Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm. 2846 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg.
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Sonoma Garden Park: Harvest Market farm stand featuring raspberries and more seasonal produce. Saturdays, 9am–1pm. 19996 7th Street E, Sonoma.
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SRJC Shone Farm: New CSA taking signups now, to start in July, featuring strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, Little Gems, and lots of other veggies, fruits, and flowers. U-pick starting in July. 7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville.
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Tenfold Farmstand: Strawberries, boysenberries, blueberries, raspberries, and peaches by the basket (top photo), plus Little Gems. Check Instagram for latest harvests. Thursdays–Sundays, 10am–4pm. 5300 Red Hill Road, Petaluma.
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Cassidy Ranch
Located amid the rolling vineyards of the Carneros wine region in Sonoma County, Cassidy Ranch stands out. Not because they don’t have vineyards — in fact, they do grow wine grapes for their estate wines — but because of all the other crops and offerings. In this Member Spotlight, we visit with Elizabeth Stein, along with her husband, Tucker, and their toddler son, Wesley, to learn more about her background and their vision for the future.
READ SPOTLIGHT
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School Garden Network
School Garden Network is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. What started out as an informal gathering of garden educators now reaches more than 50,000 students a year in more than 50 schools throughout Sonoma and Marin Counties. To mark this milestone, we visited with Executive Director Sue Davis to learn more about Sue’s background, the founding of SGN, and its positive impacts on the next generation.
READ SPOTLIGHT
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Experiences Along the Farm Trails | | |
The Art of Botanical Shrubs & Syrups
Gather Sebastopol
Friday, June 5, 4–6pm
Wind down your day with an herbal aperitivo hour led by fellow Farm Trails member Kim La Vere of Land + Local. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore the basics of herbalism while learning how to craft small-batch shrubs and mixers using local fruits, herbs, and medicinal plants. Reservation required. 122 N. Main Street, Sebastopol.
First Friday
Horse & Plow
Friday, June 5, 6–8pm
The First Friday concert series returns. Kicking off the first night will be the critically acclaimed Marty O’Reilly. They will be pouring some new wines and Dino’s Greek Food Truck will also be on site serving delicious fare for this special show. Also live music every Sunday, 2–4pm. Visit website for schedule and tickets. 1272 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol.
Lavender Bloom Fest
Bees N Blooms
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays until July 12
It's peak lavender bloom! Open Sat and Sun 10am–4pm; and Fri, June 5, 12, 19, and 26, 6–9pm. Check for live music. This is the perfect time to experience everything the farm has to offer, especially the beautiful Lavender Labyrinth. Reservations required. 3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa.
Opening Day
Guerneville Farmers' Market
Thursday, June 11, 3–7pm
Celebrate the start of summer with the season’s best produce, local makers, and ready-to-enjoy food. Stop by for dinner, grab a snack, shop for the week, and soak in the charm of the Russian River community. 4th and Church Street in Guerneville.
Cider Salon
Ethic Ciders
Thursday, June 11, 5–7pm
On the second Thursday of every month until September, Ethic is hosting its Cider Salon series — an intimate gathering under the apple trees featuring up-and-coming musical artists in a relaxed orchard setting, including singer-songwriter Barb Murphy on June 11. No tickets necessary. 8490 Occidental Road, Sebastopol.
Nocino Workshop
Ambix Spirits
Saturday, June 13, 3–5pm
Learn about the history of nocino and other alcohol infusions, then harvest young walnuts from Ambix's black walnut tree. Using these walnut plus your choice of spices and fruits, you will handcraft your infusion with fruit brandy. Includes your young nocino, follow-on instructions, and a small barrel. RSVP online. 1944 High School Road, Sebastopol.
Give Back Tuesday
Solar Punk Farms
Tuesday, June 16, 5:30pm
Join the nonprofit Solar Punk Farms for their biggest fundraiser of the year as Rainbow Cattle Co. hosts the weekly Give Back Tuesday event to benefit SPF. Dinner is only $5! Good food and drinks, prizes, raffle, and silent auction. 16220 Main Street, Guerneville.
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A Midsummer's Journey
Soap Cauldron
Saturday, June 20, 10am–4pm
This Summer Solstice immersive experience is designed as a traveling midsummer bazaar of wonder, blending artisan craftsmanship, whimsical performance, interactive ritual, and community discovery. Visit website for full details. 11830 Main Street, Penngrove.
Paella at the Farm
Gold Ridge Organic Farms
Saturday, June 20, 11am–3pm
Fellow Farm Trails member Gerald's Paella will be on site making paella with locally sourced ingredients and finished with Gold Ridge Organic Farms Extra Virgin Olive Oil — all to the sounds of live Spanish guitar by Jean-Paul. Paella available 11:30am–2:30pm or until sold out. Also tastings and apple trolley orchard tour. 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol.
Dads, Cars & Cabs
Larson Family Winery
Sunday, June 21, 11am–1pm
Do the fathers in your life love cars and wine? Treat them to a Father's Day car show at Larson Family Winery! Live music with Kendrick Fielder, Hopmonk food truck, great wine, and captivating cars! Tastings will be offered, along with wine by the bottle and glass. RSVP online. 23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma.
Father's Day Picnic by the Pond
McEvoy Ranch
Sunday, June 21, 11am–3pm
Celebrate Dad with a laid‑back day by the pond, perfect for the whole family. Enjoy a BBQ‑inspired boxed lunch, take a scenic cart ride along Skyline Ridge, play patio games, and unwind by the water with a cold drink and great company. RSVP online. 5931 Red Hill Road
Petaluma.
Summer Sips in the Garden
Sonoma Garden Park
Saturday, June 27, 12–2pm
Craft a selection of delicious nonalcoholic drinks, from homemade electrolyte tonics to deeply infused iced teas layered with garden-grown botanicals. Each guest will leave with a freshly cut bundle of herbs to inspire their next batch at home! Free. Register online. 19996 7th Street E, Sonoma.
Love of the Land
Sonoma County Farm Bureau
Thursday, July 9, 4:30pm
Enjoy an unforgettable evening beginning with the Sonoma Grown Reception featuring local food, beverages, and a silent auction. Guests will then enjoy a delicious wine country BBQ buffet, followed by an inspiring awards program and exciting live auction. Tickets online. La Crema Estates at Saralee’s Vineyard, 3575 Slusser Road, Windsor.
Festival of Earthly Delights
FEED Cooperative
Saturday, July 11, 1–5pm
FEED is hosting a free, family-friendly event at their headquarters, featuring farm-fresh tastings, live music, kids activities, local drinks, and more! Learn more about our food system from FEED and their community partners. While this event is free, please RSVP ahead of time. 5400 Old Redwood Hwy, Petaluma.
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Farm Facts: Home-Scale Regenerative Agriculture
Inspired by the regenerative ag practices of our local farmers but not sure if you can integrate them at home? Caitlin Spirlock of Luma Front Yard Farming believes that no matter the size of your garden, you can create productive spaces that are healthy for you, the soil, pollinators, and the earth — and look beautiful and taste great, too! Subscribe to her newsletter on her website or visit Facebook and Instagram for tips and inspiration. To see some of Caitlin's work up close, check out the garden she installed at fellow Farm Trails member Tenfold Farmstand (5300 Red Hill Road, Petaluma; photo below).
| | "I get inspired by growing food and native gardens, seeing the life that comes back when you pay attention to the soil and listen to what it needs. As a regenerative garden educator, healthy soil is the basis of a healthy planet, and the humans and animals that call it home. I always tell my clients, nature is teaching us what to do when we pay attention. We just have to be willing to listen! Be sure to take a moment to sit in your garden, listen to the birds, watch the bees and the ladybugs working hard at their job. The gardens are the best teacher for being present and enjoying the sounds and smells of nature so we can recharge and fight another day! Happy June!" —Caitlin Spirlock | | | | |
Betty Carr
Betty "Mom" Carr, the beloved founder of Mom's Apple Pie in Sebastopol, passed away May 13 at the age of 95. A local legend with a background in egg farming and restaurant operations, Betty opened her pie shop in 1983 with a commitment to family, community, quality, and local agriculture — especially the Gravenstein. Read our 2023 Member Spotlight with Betty here.
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Peter Buckley
Peter Buckley, co-founder of Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg, passed away on April 29. He was a visionary farmer and thinker with a passion for regenerative agriculture, diversified farming, and community well-being. The 110-acre farm he shared with his wife, Mimi, is a model of local, intentional ag. NorCal Public Media Food & Wine Award winner for Regenerative Ag.
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