sonoma county
Let’s take a walk down Memory Lane, er, Farm Trails! In 1973, a group of forward-thinking farmers banded together to bring the public out onto Sonoma County’s farms and ranches. They produced a Map & Guide that laid down the first Farm Trails along which people could meet their farmers and learn more about the origins of their food. Fifty years later, many things have changed, but our guiding vision has remained the same: to keep farms forever in Sonoma County. As part of that mission, we just published our commemorative 50th Anniversary Map & Guide! You can find it…
Read MoreThe 17th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival is back March 24-26, 2023. Enjoy three days of delicious fun with Friday Farm & Creamery Tours, Seminars & Tastings, the ever popular Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace on Sunday and added new this year … the Cheese Crawl! A number of Farm Trails members will be participating.
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[Español abajo] We will be selling native California plants that have been cultivated at our Native Plant Nursery at Sonoma Garden Park on April 8 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to source California landscape and restoration plants for your garden! Sonoma Ecology Center’s Native Plant Nursery is located at Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 7th Street East in Sonoma. We will share a list of available plants (including California native, drought tolerant perennials, trees, and shrubs that attract pollinators) closer to the date! This event will have bilingual Spanish-English support. Let us know you’re coming by RSVPing!…
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[Español abajo] Cesar Chavez Day is meant to encourage neighbors to participate in an act of community service that pays homage to Chávez’s lifetime of work as an American farm laborer, union organizer, and civil rights activist. Honor his memory by joining us for a day of service at Sonoma Garden Park on Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. No experience necessary, just a willingness to have fun and get your hands dirty! El Día de Cesar Chavez anima a la comunidad a participar en un acto de servicio comunitario que rinde homenaje al trabajo y vida de Chavez…
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About This one-day, three-hour program is open to children ages 7-12 and will allow your child to connect with some amazing rescued animals, including goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, and more. Through empathy and bonding activities with the animals, games, crafts, and more, your child will walk away with a more nuanced understanding of these often misunderstood beings and foster a greater respect for themselves, one another, and all animals who share the Earth with us. A plant-based lunch and snack will be provided. FAQ: Can I register my child for more than one session? Absolutely! The activities will vary…
Read MoreOn May 9, 2020, Artful Arrangements is holding the free 6th Annual Down Home Day for family fun on the 1915 working homestead at 205 Orchard Lane, Penngrove 94951, from 11am to 4pm, where guests are provided with live music, self-guided grounds tours and fun parent-&-child activities. It’s also an annual fundraiser, so there will be $1 parent-&-child (or entire family) games and contests and $1 treats, as well as a Libation Station and BBQ Lunch: Large Plate BBQ chicken meal $10, Small Plate $7, Hot Dog meal $5, Hot Dog $3. Beer or wine $5. For more information, visit…
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For the first time in at least 15 years, Farm Trails had a float at the Apple Blossom Parade in Sebastopol on April, 29, 2023. The weather was beautiful, the crowd was joyful, and the float was awesome thanks to our creative team! We distributed hundreds of copies of the new Map & Guide and celebrated the Golden Anniversary of both Farm Trails and the Gravenstein Apple Fair. And big news: we won 3rd Place! We’re already looking forward to next year’s parade, and hope to see you there!
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[Español abajo] Let’s get outside! Specially designed for younger campers, this camp will bring the magic of our natural world into the lives of children ages 5-7 years old. Campers will explore nature’s offerings in the enchanted garden of Sonoma Garden Park and oak woodland glen. From treasure hunts, pollinator pursuits, to games and tasting the garden’s bounty, campers will explore the magical world of garden creatures, dig into the soil, and create art. This camp takes place June 19-23 (Monday-Friday), 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Campers are asked to bring their own snacks and lunch. Garden Gnomes Camps are $260 for…
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[Español abajo] Garden Wizards Academy Camps at Sonoma Garden Park Session 1 (Serpentine Stone Camp): July 10-14 Session 2 (Obsidian Owl Camp): July 24-28 Camps run from 9:00 am-3:00 pm for all sessions Ages 7-11 Cost: $360 SEC members/$400 non-members per session You may only register 1 child for 1 camp at a time. All digitally-signed waivers are due at the time of registration. For questions, please contact Tony at Tony@sonomaecologycenter.org. There are 25 spots for each session of Summer Wizarding Academy Camps. Scholarships are available. To apply for a scholarship, please fill out this short form and we will…
Read MoreThe 33rd Annual Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest is the premier Crab and Wine event in the North Bay Area! Join over 2,000 supporters from the agriculture and business communities as Sonoma County Farm Bureau hosts this gathering to support local agricultural education programs and advocacy. This fun and exciting evening has received rave reviews and is the largest crab feed in California and maybe even the U.S.! Combined with a reception featuring premier Sonoma County beer, wine and spirits, live music, and an impressive silent and live auction, the Great Sonoma Crab & Wine Fest makes for one of…
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We will provide all the materials needed to design & build a wreath using a wire frame, floral wire, foliage (including fir, eucalyptus, bay, & toyon) & holiday decorations. Instruction will be given for beginners. Tea, snack & a treat will be provided! Event is fully outdoors, with open greenhouses in case of rainy weather.
Read MoreThree hour lecture on basic beekeeping information on how to get started with bees, use of equipment and what to expect in your first year. Get answers to your questions. A must have class if you are interested in keeping bees. Taught by Doug Vincent, Owner and Beekeeper of beekind.
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The history of Sonoma County agriculture is filled with a similar theme: Tired of city life, folks go back to the land, relearn lost skills, and raise animals. Through a combination of good timing, risk taking, and innovation, they create a successful business for the next generation to shepherd. Such is the story of Redwood Hill Farm — Capracopia. One of the earliest members of Farm Trails — they originally joined in 1974 — this pioneering goat farm has evolved with the times but always kept its footing firmly planted in Sebastopol, and in the hands of the Bice family.…
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Our farm is open most weekend days from May 21 through July 10 for Lavender Daze, when the lavender at Bees N Blooms is blooming with bright, purple radiance. Come on out on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19 and enjoy live jazz from the John Kalleen Group from 12 PM to 3 PM. This is the best time to come out to enjoy all that the farm has to offer, especially the lovely labyrinth, farm stand, and live music! Reservations are required during lavender bloom, to ensure we have sufficient parking and that our guests have a wonderful experience. Admission…
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Our farm is open most weekend days from May 21 through July 10 for Lavender Daze, when the lavender at Bees N Blooms is blooming with bright, purple radiance. Come on out Saturday, June 25 and enjoy funky jazz from Mike Z Solo Guitar and Vocals from 12 PM to 3 PM.This is the best time to come out to enjoy all that the farm has to offer, especially the lovely labyrinth, farm stand, and live music! Reservations are required during lavender bloom, to ensure we have sufficient parking and that our guests have a wonderful experience. Admission is $20…
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Our farm is open most weekend days from May 21 through July 10 for Lavender Daze, when the lavender at Bees N Blooms is blooming with bright, purple radiance. Come on out Saturday, July 9 and enjoy delicious food from Dino’s Greek Food Truck, and live music from Chris Amberger & the Hot Dogs from 12 PM to 3 PM. This is the best time to come out to enjoy all that the farm has to offer, especially the lovely labyrinth, farm stand, and live music! Reservations are required during lavender bloom, to ensure we have sufficient parking and that…
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Starting Friday, February 10th, we roll into our SPRING Season of weekly produce boxes, and we’d love to have you join us in this season of CSA! This upcoming season runs 11x weeks, (February 10 – April 28). A brief introduction to Live Oak Farm – our aim is to grow unique market-driven produce while always remaining stewards of the land, and connected those we feed & serve. We currently serve Petaluma / Sonoma County, Napa County, Marin County & Solano County families with CSA and local Bay Area restaurants with our farm produce. What to Expect with Live Oak…
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Mother’s Day Along the Farm Trails FARM-FRESH BOUQUETS FROM FULL BLOOM FLOWER FARM: Both Full Bloom Flower Farm stands will be open for self-serve and all offerings are up on our website for delivery. Be sure to preorder online asap; these beautiful, field-grown bouquets will sell out! Farm stands open sun-up to sundown. Or gift Mom a 12-week summer flower CSA subscription. Two stands: 9516 Graton Road, Sebastopol; and 3855 Roblar Road, Petaluma; fullbloomflower.com FIELD-GROWN BOUQUETS FROM REDWOOD HILL FARM – CAPRACOPIA: Known for their dairy goats, Redwood Hill Farm – Capracopia also grows an amazing array of cut flowers…
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[Español abajo] Every 3rd Friday of the month from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm we welcome existing and new volunteers for a fun morning of work and community building at Sonoma Garden Park. Depending on the season activities include prepping fields, planting, harvesting, weeding, pruning trees and prepping produce for the seasonal Saturday Harvest market. Join us for a fun opportunity to enjoy the bounty of each season, and to share and learn from other gardeners. Existing and new volunteers are encouraged to attend—no experience is necessary! Please be sure to bring your gardening gloves, hat, SPF and water. At…
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[Español abajo] Join the Sonoma Ecology Center Earthlings for our spring break in the oak woodland and garden settings on March 13-17 or April 10-14 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm). Together, ages 7-11 will grow as junior naturalists and agriculturists. Let’s play games, plant crops, draw and journal nature observations, conduct experiments, and craft artwork and culinary concoctions. This week will provide much-needed time to immerse in the local habitat while enjoying friends. On the first day, we will tour the 6-acre farm and straw bale barn, play in the dirt, and on the new children’s nature play area (!) while…
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Let’s propagate locally-grown, pollinator-friendly plants to sustain the earth and ourselves. Back by popular demand… join us for a Spring Seed Planting Workshop! We will gather at Sonoma Garden Park on March 25, 10:00 am-12:00 pm for a tour, talk, and plan for the future. Participants will plant seeds in cups and leave with a collection of starts for your summer garden. Some seeds prefer direct sowing into the warm ground, others do best when started in cups. After this workshop, you’ll be able to accurately follow seed instructions to give your veggies and flowers the best beginnings. Please wear…
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[Español abajo] Come to Sonoma Garden Park on March 25, 1:30-3:30 pm for a bilingual mushroom cultivation workshop! We will learn about easy and inexpensive mushroom cultivation methods and when to harvest. This is a free, bilingual event planned around a primarily Spanish-speaking audience. Registration is required as space is limited. Bring water and dress warmly, as the event will be held outside the barn. Heavy rain cancels the event. For questions or more information, please contact alma@sonomaecologycenter.org. There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of…
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