Springtime Along the Farm Trails |
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Spring is on the way in Sonoma County, with local orchards and vineyards bedecked in wildflowers, and the occasional rain showers greening up pastures and farm fields. It's a perfect time to get out and about and enjoy all that local agriculture has to offer!
In this month's newsletter, we're featuring farm and ranch tours, springtime holiday fare, lovely outdoors spots for local food and libations, and some great offerings at local farms.
Please visit our website ( FarmTrails.org) for lots more info on local farmers' markets, farms, eateries, and producers. As always, thank you for supporting local ag. Cheers!
(Pictured above: Mustard in bloom at one of Dutton Ranch's organic apple orchards along the Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol.)
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Spring Farm & Ranch Tours |
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After being cooped up for so long, you're probably excited to get out of the house and explore! Several members are hosting safe, family-friendly, and fun tours of farms and ranches. Enjoy cuddles with baby farm animals, locally made libations and food, and all the beauty of local ag! |
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Food and Farm Tours: This woman-owned tour company offers unique and intimate day excursions connecting you to the renowned agricultural destinations of Sonoma and Marin Counties, in private groups. Go behind the scenes to meet the makers and farmers, and taste the wide array of artisanal food and libations coming from our local food shed. Choose from set itineraries or request customized tours. Tours include other Farm Trails members! To reserve your tour, click here. |
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McEvoy Ranch: Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Ranch by joining their socially distanced Walkabout Ranch Tours. You’ll journey through interplanted olive orchards and vineyards and along the way learn the history of the Ranch and how McEvoy became the largest producer of organic olive oils in the US! You can choose from three types of tours, and all are followed by tastings of the estate olive oils and wines. To reserve your tour, click here. 5985 Red Hill Road, Petaluma.
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Redwood Hill Farm—Capracopia: Celebrate the arrival of spring with a farm tour. It is kidding season and the "kids" (baby goats) are waiting to cuddle with you! The flower field is starting to bloom, and you can see the olive and apple orchards too. You will also enjoy a visit to the adult herd, check out the chickens, and see their sustainability measures in action. For information and to reserve your tour, click here. 5440 Thomas Road, Sebastopol.
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Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Creamery: Come and find out about the history of how this goat/sheep dairy and creamery came to be. Tours include a visit with the animals including newborn lambs and kids, hike up to the pastures to learn about their organic pasture management system, peek into the creamery with an explanation of how they make cheese, and of course enjoy a cheese tasting! Private tours for pods between 6 to 10 people. To sign up, click here, or email. 5488 Middle Road, Petaluma.
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The next few weeks feature three springtime holidays: St. Patrick's Day (March 17), Passover (beginning March 27), and Easter (April 4)—which means a lot of good eating! Shop from these Farm Trails members for your holiday celebrations, and be sure to check our website for a listing of farmers' markets, farm stands, and more producers!
Bohemian Creamery: For your Easter feast, try FlowerPower: a fresh lactic organic cow cheese pyramid speckled inside with bursts of bee pollen and crowned with a ring of pollen on the outside. Each bite offers mingling moments of milk and honey: the embodiment of spring when milk is fresh and flora bloom anew. Also choose from other artisanal cheeses. 7380 Occidental Road, Sebastopol.
LaLa's Jam Bar & Urban Farmstand: On special for St. Patrick's Day is Irish marmalade. Following the owner's grandmother's recipe, it is made with grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, and sweetened with brown sugar. Order online or shop directly from the store. 720 E. Washington St. Petaluma.
Mom's Apple Pie: Lots of delicious fruit pies are waiting for Easter, including strawberry rhubarb, berry, apple, and even gluten-free. Order online or stop by the shop. 4550 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol.
Nightingale Breads: For St. Patrick's Day, stock up on their fresh-baked Irish Soda Bread. They always have challah on Fridays. And this year for Easter they plan to do a citrus panettone. For the full menu and to order, click here. 6665 Front St., Forestville.
Stemple Creek Ranch: Their signature grass-fed corned beef is available for order online, as are beef brisket, lamb, and rib roasts, and more for the holiday table. Shipping available to all states in the U.S.
Victorian Farmstead Meat: Vic Farm has all the grass-fed meats for your holidays: corned beef for St. Patrick's Day (pictured above), brisket for Passover, and lamb, porchetta, and ham for Easter. Order online for pickup or delivery, or visit the shop at Community Market at the Barlow, 6762 Sebastopol Ave. #100, Sebastopol.
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Love strawberries, herbs, and flowers? Join the Green Valley Community Farm garden share! Because of the continuing severe drought, Green Valley Community Farm (pictured above) will not be able to offer their usual diversified vegetable, fruit, and flower CSA. Instead, they will be offering a Strawberry, Herb, and Flower Garden U-Pick share. Flowers and herbs will be available for U-pick for 22 weeks from June through October. Strawberries will be available for U-pick weekly as long as the plants produce, likely from May through September. To sign up, click here.
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Want farming experience? Volunteer at Bounty Community Farm! Bounty Community Farm is a green oasis near downtown Petaluma growing over 12,000 pounds of vegetables and fruits. The majority of their produce goes to low-income families and seniors in the community who would otherwise not be able to afford locally grown food. They are currently seeking volunteers to help with various tasks on the farm, especially for shifts on Wednesdays (9 am to 12 pm) and Thursdays (3 to 6 pm). To learn more, visit their website and to sign up, click here. And save the date for their Spring Plant Sale on April 25! |
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Full Bloom Flower Farm stand is open daily! Shopping local and supporting local ag also extends to flowers! Hedda Brorstrom, owner, farmer, and floral designer at Full Bloom Flower Farm, is stocking her new farm stand with seasonal blooms grown on site. Stop by the stand daily for fresh-cut bouquets as well as wreaths and handcrafted lip balms and other personal-care products. Self-serve; pay via Venmo or cash. Also offering a Spring flower subscription. 9516 Graton Road, Sebastopol; 9 am to 5 pm daily. |
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Save the dates: Bees N Bloom releases 2021 schedule. Bees N Blooms has announced that their first pop-up open day will be Easter weekend, April 3-4 from 10am-3pm, with a variety of certified organic tomato and pepper plant starts for sale. Preorder strongly recommended; to preorder, click here. Mark your calendars with other important 2021 open dates: Mother's Day weekend pop-up (May 8-9, 10am-3pm); Lavender Daze open farm dates (Saturdays only from 10-3pm, June 5, 12, and 19, and July 3); Lavender U-Cut (10am-3 pm, June 26-27 and July 10-11).
3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa.
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The gorgeous spring weather we've been having combined with improved COVID numbers has resulted in a gold mine of al fresco options along the Farm Trails. Whether you're looking for a charming wine tasting in the Russian River Valley, a farm-to-table brunch on your way to the beach, or a picnic with cider, our members have you covered—literally—with patio umbrellas, canopies, fire pits, heaters, relaxed seating, twinkling lights, and all sorts of features for a comfortable and safe visit outdoors! Here are a few to try.
Dutton Goldfield Winery: Enjoy a seat on their patio and discover cool- climate wines. Choose the classic Discovery seated tasting experience, which includes a selection of current-release whites and reds, or a single-vineyard Pinot Noir experience. Reservations required. 3100 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol.
Estero Cafe: A sweet spot for seasonal brunch or lunch on the patio on your way to the beach. Specials this weekend include a St. Patrick's Day-themed hash and eggs featuring Stemple Creek Ranch corned beef, as well as Pie Day on Pi Day (3/14)! Takeout also available. 14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford.
Golden State Cider: Picnic tables and signature orange umbrellas mark this fun spot at the Barlow. Choose from 12 taps of ciders and order takeout from one of the neighboring restaurants to complete your day. Seating is first come, first served. 180 Morris St., Ste. 150, The Barlow, Sebastopol.
Handline: Protected from the elements by an architecturally stunning canopy, their large patio is a welcoming spot for sustainable seafood, local libations, and soft-serve featuring Straus Family Creamery. Seating is first come, first served. Takeout also available. 935 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol.
Hazel Restaurant: Take a seat on their deck in the hamlet of Occidental and dine on wood-fired pizza and hearty entrees. Be sure to treat yourself to their fanciful cookies, cakes, and pies! Seating is first come, first served. Takeout also available. 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental.
Horse and Plow: ( Pictured above) Enjoy local wine and cider with s pacious outdoor seating on two acres surrounded by old, shady oak trees, a vegetable garden, and apple trees. Happy hour on Fridays, and live music on Sundays. Reservations required. 1272 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol.
Larson Family Wines: A charming dog- and family-friendly outdoor space in the Carneros region, with light bites available to enjoy with a wide range of wines. Tasting experiences include several packages, including a fireside tasting. Reservations required. 23355 Limerick Lane, Sonoma.
Russian River Vineyards: You'll find plenty of space to relax and enjoy some excellent wine with a great view of the estate vineyard, along with a great menu of small bites, focaccias, and more. Live music and socially distant yoga sessions also available! Reservations strongly recommended. 5700 Highway 116, Forestville.
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A Note About COVID-19 Safety Precautions |
Sonoma County is currently in the Purple Tier. Please double-check before setting out to confirm business hours/offerings, as they may change especially during rainy weather. Wear masks, practice proper social distancing, wash your hands often, don't go out if you're feeling unwell, and abide by all posted health protocols. Thank you for helping to keep the community safe! |
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We connect the public to Sonoma County farmers and producers to ensure the economic viability of local ag and to instill an appreciation of ag as a vital part of our community. |
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Thank you for your support of Sonoma County farms, ranches, producers, and purveyors in our collective mission of preserving Farms Forever! |
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FARM TRAILS STAFF
Carmen Snyder, Executive Director
Ellen Cavalli, Project Manager
707-837-8896
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vince Trotter, President
Lauren Bowne, Secretary
Andrea Krout, Treasurer
Karen Bianchi-Moreda, Director
Alexandra Fox, Director
Rick Williams, Director
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