May Along the Farm Trails
Mother's Day, Farm Happenings & More!
|
|
Happy May! Thanks to those of you who joined us for our annual Spring Tour this past weekend. It was so wonderful to see so many happy faces and help you reconnect with local farmers, ranchers, and producers after two years!
In this month's newsletter we highlight farm-fresh ways to celebrate Mother's Day, update you on happenings along the Farm Trails, and invite you to check out our new Map & Guide and join us at the Gravenstein Apple Fair!
(Above: Bees N Blooms hosts Mother's Day weekend & Lavender Daze this month.)
|
|
Mother's Day Along the Farm Trails |
|
Flower Foraging and Picnic Experience at Garden Valley Ranch: Looking for a unique Mother’s Day experience in Sonoma County? Look no further! Come out and enjoy Garden Valley Ranch with a picnic and flower foraging experience. Guests are welcomed to explore our magical rose farm and forage for fresh cut flowers while enjoying the company of our many free range farm animals. You are also welcome to bring a picnic and blanket during your stay. Guests will leave with a bucket full of flowers and full hearts. Offered on Mother's Day weekend as well as most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during bloom season. 498 Pepper Road, Petaluma. Reservations required. Book online. |
|
Mother's Day Special at Valley Ford Cheese Co: Treat Mom to a special Mother's Day menu at Valley Ford Cheese Co. Enjoy farmers cheese-stuffed french toast, cinnamon date challah, blueberries & maple cream, plus strawberry rhubarb bellinis. You can also order cheese and charcuterie boards, sandwiches, baked goods, and more delights at the store and cafe. 14390 Valley Ford Road (Hwy 1), Valley Ford. Open Saturdays 8 am to 4 pm, Sundays 8 am to 3 pm.
|
|
Mother's Day Weekend at Bees N Blooms: On Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8, 10 am to 3 pm, bring Mom out for a picnic at Bees N Blooms and get her a little gift at the farm stand. On Saturday, May 7, it is also World Labyrinth Day, a day for contemplation and exploring what labyrinths can do for us during these stressful times. No reservations required, free admission. 3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa.
|
|
Gifts and More at Flatbed Farm: For Mother's Day, Flatbed Farm will have pre-order bouquets and gift sets available at their farm stand. Or consider gifting Mom registration to their floral workshop or our yoga retreat, both on May 14. Join Sofie, Hayley and Florist Karen to learn all about how they grow flowers, harvest and arrange them. A hands-on workshop with a beautiful take home bouquet in vase! Or experience the best of Sonoma Healthy Hedonism beginning with a beautiful Vinyasa yoga flow in the early evening followed by an exquisite wine and tapas hour served poolside. More info & RSVP online. 13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen. Open Fridays 9 am to 1 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 3 pm.
|
|
Herb Collection at Forni Farm & Nursery: Do you have a special mother in your life who loves to garden? Forni Farm & Nursery has prepared boxes of fragrant and delicious herbs that will make a thoughtful gift for Mother's Day. You can also find other plants and starts for Mom's green thumb. 4000 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa. Open Thursdays to Saturdays 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. |
|
Pie for Mom at Mom's Apple Pie: Organic fresh strawberry cream pies are back at Mom's Apple Pie starting on Thursday, May 5. Pre-order on their online store. And of course you can choose from all the other Mom's favorites, including strawberry rhubarb, banana cream, lemon meringue, and various choices of berry and more. 4550 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol. Open daily 10 am to 6 pm.
|
|
Gift Naturally with Soap Cauldron: Gift naturally this Mother's Day with Soap Cauldron's line of natural herbal bar soaps and skin care made locally to pamper and nurture the body. Choose from French lavender, rose & coconut, and many other gift collections. Stop by the shop or order online. 5400 Old Redwood Highway North, Penngrove. Open weekdays 10 am to 4 pm, weekends 9 am to 2 pm.
|
|
Brunch and More at Americana: Americana is cheering to Moms all weekend long with a fun relaxing, and celebratory farm-to-table experience. Specials include house-cured prosciutto eggs Benedict, wild prawn & asparagus omelette, seasonal veggie quiche, strawberry cheesecake pie, delicious drinks, and more! Expect a bit of a wait, but it'll be worth it! 205 5th Street, Suite A, Santa Rosa. Open Wednesdays to Mondays 8 am to 3 pm, supper Fridays and Saturdays 5 to 9pm.
|
|
Check Out Our Brand-New Map & Guide! |
|
After a two-year hiatus, our print Map & Guide is back! At Farm Trails, we are devoted to keeping the relationship of grower and eater closer and more connected than ever. This guide is your road map to the unique farms and producers that encompass the several geographical areas. Find the 16-page full-color directory of our members in the May/June issue of Made Local Magazine! We also will be distributing individual copies to visitors centers and member locations soon. If you prefer, you can also download a PDF online. Thanks to our friends at Sonoma Go Local for their help and support! |
|
|
Live Oak Farm CSA starts May 6: Live Oak Farm rolls into their summer season of weekly produce boxes, and they'd love to have you join them in this season of CSA! This upcoming season runs 13 weeks (every Friday, May 6 to July 29). With each week, expect 6 to 8 different seasonal veggies, which easily feeds a family of 3 to 4 or 2-veggie loving people! In addition to your weekly box of produce, they'll share a weekly emailer with produce guide, featured recipe/cocktail, notes from the farm, and to get you dancing in your kitchens—a weekly music playlist (link via Spotify)! 2199 Live Oak Farm Lane, Petaluma. To join, email Farmer Tom.
|
|
Lavender Daze at Bees N Blooms: Mid-May through mid-July is the time when all the lavender at Bees N Blooms is blooming with bright purple radiance. This is the best time to come out to enjoy all that the farm has to offer, especially the lovely labyrinth. Because of the many different varieties of lavender, we have bloom from mid-May through mid-July. We open the farm to the public on weekends during lavender bloom time, and open the 1-acre Grosso lavender field for the Lavender U-Cut Experience on several weekends in late June and early July. Farm gates open at 10 am and close at 4 pm. Reservations are required during lavender bloom, to ensure we have sufficient parking and that our guests have a wonderful experience. Admission is $20 per person, kids 12 and under free with an adult, with admission good for any time that day. Tickets can be purchased through our Online Store. 3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa.
|
|
Get Your Gravenstein Apple Fair Tickets Today! |
|
Join Sonoma County Farm Trails in celebrating the return of “the sweetest fair in Sonoma County” Saturday & Sunday, August 13 & 14, at Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol. Enjoy live music on two stages, all things Gravenstein, local food, arts & crafts vendors, activities for kids, farm demonstrations, craft cider, craft beer, wine, and lots more. New in 2022: our exclusive VIP Lounge! The Fair is our major annual fundraiser and supports our work to keep farms forever in Sonoma County. Advance tickets are for sale online. Buy yours today! For more info and to buy tickets, please visit GravensteinAppleFair.com. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Thank you for your support of Sonoma County farms, ranches, producers, and purveyors in our collective mission of preserving Farms Forever! |
|
|
|
FARM TRAILS STAFF
Carmen Snyder, Executive Director &
Gravenstein Apple Fair Producer
Ellen Cavalli, Program Manager
Pam Davis, Gravenstein Apple Fair
Operations Manager
707-837-8896
|
|
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vince Trotter, President
Lauren Bowne, Secretary
Andrea Krout, Treasurer
Karen Bianchi-Moreda, Director
Alexandra Fox, Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
