Golden Nectar Farm
Golden Nectar Farm is a 2.5-acre fruit farm oasis on the outskirts of Windsor, established in the early 1990s by University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Farm Advisor Paul Vossen and his wife Marisa. They introduced a diversity of heirloom fruit trees on varying rootstocks to learn which were best suited to the growing conditions of Sonoma County. They also planted an expansive berry garden and a vineyard of rare table-grape cultivars.
In 1997, KJ and Ana Stayton took the helm, guided by the sustainability principles of permaculture and regenerative agriculture — each year leaving the soil richer and the land more abundant with life than it was the year before. The Staytons focused on cover-cropping, mulching, composting, and companion planting. They introduced Chinese and Western medicinal herbs and developed productive vegetable gardens along with glorious pollinator-friendly flower beds.
In 2022, Tamar Cohen and Don Gates became the latest caretakers of the farm, and like their predecessors they are dedicated to nurturing the land, honoring its legacy, and preserving its bounty for future generations. Neither of them came from farming families. Tamar has a decades-long career in software development, working for NASA since 2009, while Don recently retired from a twenty-five year career in traditional Chinese medicine. But with the support of mentors, advisors, local ag organizations, and friends, they’ve learned the ropes! Today, they sell directly to top local restaurants, bakeries, and markets and also offer a fruit CSA.
In this member spotlight, we chat with Tamar and learn more about her and Don’s journey toward sustainability.
Golden Nectar Farm, Windsor, goldennectarfarm.com
How did you get interested in farming?
We did not set out to be farmers! We had lived in Oakland for nearly thirty years and were hoping to find a home someplace quieter, with land enough to grow food to sustain our family. We weren’t envisioning nearly such a commitment, but when we walked through the gate at Golden Nectar Farm, we fell in love with it right away.
What is the history of your farm?
It was established about 35 years ago by Paul Vossen, a local agricultural expert, as an experimental farm. He planted an orchard of rare and heirloom fruit trees; a table grape vineyard with unique cultivars, kiwi and a netted garden for berries. Ana and KJ Stayton stewarded the farm for 25 years before we arrived, interplanting companion plants and Western medicinal herbs and focusing on permaculture and regenerative agriculture.
What do you grow?
The farm produces an incredible range of food crops, which ripen from late May all the way through February. We grow more than thirty varieties of apples, dozens of Asian and European pears, a range of stone-fruits, plus several types each of quince, pomegranates, figs, citrus, kiwis, grapes, and berries. Even a few harder-to-find fruits like jujube, medlar, and pawpaw.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Working with the plants and the land is deeply satisfying for both of us; really getting to know the trees and vines on an individual basis and nurturing them through the seasons, which leads to such beautiful, flavorful, and diverse bounty of fruits.
What do you value about being a member of Farm Trails?
The Farm Trails community has been incredibly welcoming — from the Farm Trails staff to the local agricultural community, and the consumers who appreciate the hard work we do and the fruit we produce. We feel very lucky to have landed in an area with such a deep appreciation for clean, nutritious food, and sustainability-minded farmers.
What are your hopes for the future of your business and/or Sonoma County agriculture?
We’ve been focusing on regenerative agricultural practices on our farm and have just received a grant from the USDA/NRCS from their Conservation Stewardship Program. With those funds we will be developing hedgerows, improving our irrigation efficiency, and installing songbird nest boxes.
For Sonoma County itself, we see a contraction in wine grape cultivation; we hope that the efforts of Sonoma County Ag + Open Space among others can retain the land that’s no longer being used for grapes for agricultural use. We would be thrilled to see a return to more tree crops being planted!
What advice would you give a new farmer?
There is so much support and so many opportunities for mentorship and education — take advantage of them! From SRJC’s Shone Farm to CAFF, UCANR, Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, and Farm Trails, there are many wonderful classes, seminars, and information sessions. Our agricultural community is strong and collaborative. Don’t be afraid to try new things and get your hands dirty!
Photos by Kelsey Joy Photography: kelseyjoyphotography.com
