Fall Fun
Halloween might be different for the kids this year, but one thing families can do despite the coronavirus health precautions is find the perfect pumpkin or two for the fall festivities! Several of our member farms are open for pumpkin patches, and others have a bounty of pumpkins to choose from at their farm stands. Here are a handful to get you on your way, plus some fun farm tours, classes, and workshops happening this October.
Before you set out, please be sure to double-check hours and availability, and make reservations as necessary. 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.
TIPS FOR A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN & DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
The County of Sonoma has issued thorough guidance for a safer Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. Please click here and read before making your plans! Let's all do our part to reduce COVID-19 rates!
Pumpkin Patches
Bee-Well + Flatbed Farm Pumpkin Patch: The popular pumpkin patch at Bee-Well Farms is on a break this year so the Lely family can spend time with their newborn son! But you can find their prized gourds just down the highway at the Flatbed Farm pumpkin patch. And shop for Flatbed Farm's produce and pantry items, too. Open Fridays 9 am to 1 pm; Saturdays 10 am to 3 pm, Sundays 9 am to 1 pm; pumpkins through Oct. 31. 13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen.
Foggy River Farm Pumpkin Patch: Looking for a way to get the kids outside and have some fun? Foggy River Farm pumpkin patch is a perfect family experience. COVID protocols allow for distanced exploring of hundreds of pumpkins, gourds, and winter squash in the field where they grew. If you’d rather grab and go, there’s a beautiful display to choose from. Reservations recommended; sign up ahead online. No RSVP needed for farm stand. Open Thursdays to Sundays, 11 am to 4 pm. Eastside Road, Healdsburg.
Muelrath Ranches Pumpkin Patch: Come one, come all, and get your pumpkins! This iconic pumpkin patch run by Bob and Audrey Muelrath is back after three years off. They have over 30 varieties of farm-grown, fresh pumpkins with fun for the whole family, including a toddler's corn maze, picnic area, and photo op areas! Admission is free. 3800 Walker Ave, Santa Rosa. Open daily 10 am to 6 pm.
Preston Farm & Winery Pumpkin Patch: This diverse farm and winery is back with one of their favorite autumn traditions! Find the perfect pumpkin in the field on Saturdays through Oct. 31. Reservations are required; click here to book your time. Remote payments encouraged with Venmo or cash payments in the Farm Store. While there, check out the newest offerings at the store as well. 9282 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg.
SRJC Shone Farm. Even though they couldn't hold their annual festival, they still have lots of pumpkins! Jack-o-lantern, giant 40 lb, baby jack-be-little, pie, etched, decorative and edible Cinderella pumpkins, you name it, they've got it! Order online and pick up Friday between 1 to 4 pm. 7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville.
Tara Firma Farms Pumpkins: Tara Firma had to cancel their annual Pumpkins on a Pike event due to the pandemic, but no worries, you can still buy their organic pumpkins from their farm stand! While there, bring a picnic, and stock up on pasture-raised meats and local goodies. Farm store closed on Saturdays but you can enjoy the self-serve pumpkin stand and a self-guided tour. Farm store open Sundays to Fridays, 11 am to 5 pm. 3796 I Street Ext., Petaluma.
- Vote for the best decorated vendor booth
- Raffle prizes (the more you buy, the more chances you have to win!)
- Treats for the kids
- Costume contest
- All while social distancing!
Farm Tours & Events
FALL TOURS & KID CUDDLE TIME: Redwood Hill Farm—Capracopia is offering RSVP-only farm tours through Oct. 26. View the flower field and the olives growing in preparation for the annual olive harvest. Tour the farm to see their sustainability measures in action, check out the chickens, and feed the adult goats tagasaste that they grow on the farm, one of their favorite treats. And of course cuddle with the newborn baby goats! Click here to make a reservation. 5440 Thomas Road, Sebastopol.
SUNDAY SEMINAR SERIES: Sundays through Oct. 25, attend an informative seminar at Monte-Bellaria di California on how to create clones of your favorite woody herbs (Lavender, Rosemary, Fuchsias, etc.). Learn hands-on techniques from a commercial propagation operation. Each participant will make and take a cutting home. Max enrollment: 10; 18 years and older. Register here.
JAM MAKING 101: Lala's Jam Bar & Urban Farmstand is hosting jam making classes every Sunday through Dec. 15, from 10 am to 12 pm, in Lala's commercial kitchen. Learn the basics of making jam in a safe, masked, socially distanced environment. Visit the Classes page on their website for all the info and open dates. Reservations required. Hurry, they sell out fast. Class is $40 per person, and includes 1 jar of jam and a basic jam recipe. Limited to 1 person or 2 people from the same household. Must prepay by calling Lala's at (707) 773-1083 or coming to the store. 720 E. Washington, Petaluma.