June Along the Farm Trails

Summer Farm Fun, Father's Day & More

Happy June! In this newsletter, we feature farm-fresh ways to celebrate Father's Day, summer farm fun, and and the latest happenings along the Farm Trails. As always, visit FarmTrails.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for even more news, offerings, and events. We wish you a happy Summer Solstice!

WHAT'S IN SEASON?

Summer starts this month, so get ready for all the delicious bounty that the season brings! Visit FarmTrails.org to search for local farms, farmers' markets, and grocery stores to enjoy the bounty from Sonoma County!

Apricots • Basil • Beets • Blueberries • Broccoli • Bunching Greens • Cabbage •

Chard • Cucumbers • Fennel • Kale • Peaches • Potatoes • Radishes • Raspberries • Salad Greens • Strawberries • Summer Squash

Father's Day Along the Farm Trails

FATHER'S DAY PIZZA POP-UP AT GOLD RIDGE ORGANIC FARMS: On Saturday, June 15, 11 am to 3 pm, enjoy a pizza pop-up with your pop, featuring acclaimed Bay Area Chef Bruce Hill. Come out to Gold Ridge Organic Farm for delicious pizzas made in their outdoor wood-fired oven, along with refreshing citrus shrubs and house-made ice cream topped with Honeycrisp-Fuji Apple Cider Syrup. Take a tour through the olive and apple orchards, taste award-winning extra-virgin olive oils, or just let Dad kick back and relax under the olive trees in the scenic courtyard. Pizza pre-orders strongly encouraged. 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol; goldridgeorganicfarms.com.

FATHER'S DAY CAR SHOW AT LARSON FAMILY WINERY: Do the fathers in your life love cars and wine? Treat them to a Father's Day car show at Larson Family Winery on Sunday, June 16, 11 am to 1 pm! Their usual ‘Forkage Fee' for outside food will be waived, allowing you to bring your own picnic. There will be music by Kendrick Fielder, great wine, and captivating cars! Tastings will be offered, along with wine by the bottle and glass. RSVP online. 23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma; larsonfamilywinery.com.

GIFT STEAK BOXES FROM MUELRATH RANCH: Muelrath Ranch has what Dad wants: local pastured beef! This Penngrove-based cattle ranch has put together curated steak boxes, perfect for gifting! All boxes can be shipped or picked up locally. They ship on Tuesdays and pickup is typically Thursday and Friday. Order online for these fantastic options, including the Steak Box, Butcher Selections, and Grilling Box. 1450 Dutch Lane, Penngrove; muelrathranch.com.

FATHER'S DAY GIFT THAT GIVES BACK: Is the father figure in your life a community-minded foodie? Then he'll love a gift that supports local farmers and fights food insecurity: the "No One Left Behind" Olive Oil from Farm to Pantry! The 2023 vintage is silkl, flavorful, extra-virgin, and extra-local: olives from local orchards and backyards, harvested by volunteers & milled in Dry Creek. It is a great gift for the dad who likes to cook and grill, and it's creative, unique, and meaningful, too. Click here to purchase. Proceeds benefit Farm to Pantry.

FATHER'S DAY MEALS & MORE AT FARM TRAILS RESTAURANTS: Check our member restaurants for specials: farmtrails.org/resources/dining/.

Farm Trails Member Offerings

REGISTER FOR SCHOOL GARDEN NETWORK'S GARDEN CAMP: School Garden Network's Garden Camp takes place in July and consists of four separate weeks full of creative, hands-on activities that nurture an appreciation of nature, build healthy habits, and create lasting friendships! Ages 7-12, two locations (Larkfield Community Garden, Salmon Creek School). Ages 13-17 can apply for the Junior Garden Educator program and can earn service hours. Scholarships available! Register online; schoolgardens.org.

U-PICK RASPBERRY SEASON UNDERWAY AT BORING FARM: Boring Farm is now open for U-pick organic raspberries! Reservations required. Tickets for Saturday slots (between 9 am and 1 pm) go on sale the preceding Wednesdays, at 12 pm. They sell out fast! Be sure to check their website to confirm dates, read all the details about U-pick, and reserve your space. 420 Canfield Road, Sebastopol; theboringfarm.com.

PEACH SEASON STARTS AT DRY CREEK PEACH: Peach season has begun and Dry Creek Peach (photo at top). The first variety is the Rich May. The season builds throughout the summer, peaking in August and early September. Along the way, they harvest 30 varieties of yellow and white peaches, and every week there are different varieties to enjoy. The farm stand will be open on Wednesday, June 5, at noon, with a nice supply of fruit. They will also be at the Healdsburg Farmers' Market on Saturday, June 8, at 8:30 am. Keep up to date with their latest harvest and hours on their Facebook page. 2179 Yoakim Bridge Road, Healdsburg, drycreekpeach.com.

GOLDEN NECTAR FARM FRUIT CSA SEASON BEGINS IN JULY: Golden Nectar Farm in Windsor (photo below) will have CSA fruit boxes available for pickup every two weeks starting in July. Sign up to get an email when fruit is available to order. The boxes will contain 7 lbs of mixed heirloom fruit depending on what is ripe, starting with European pears, peaches, plums, raspberries, and early apples: goldennectarfarm.com.

Farm Trails Member Events

OPENING DAY AT FORESTVILLE CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET

Friday, June 7, 4-7pm

Head to the Forestville Certified Farmers Market, located in the beautiful Downtown Oaks Park, on a new day, Fridays, from 4-7 pm, through Sept. 27. Enjoy live music and specialty foods while sitting at one of the many picnic tables scattered around the park. Have some famous Sonoma County wine or an ice-cold beer. Get fresh produce from our friendly local farmers, shop for arts and crafts, and listen to live music. See their Facebook page for the list of vendors and the band schedule.

NOCINO WORKSHOP AT AMBIX SPIRITS

Saturday, June 15, 2-4:30 pm

Nocino is a delicious Italian liqueur that is rarely produced in the US, but at Ambix Spirits, you can learn to make your own! At this workshop, guests will harvest the still-green walnuts from the tree at Ambix's orchard and then return to the distillery to make nocino from Ambix's apple brandy, traditional spices, herbs, and citrus. Fee includes workshop and materials, including a 1-liter barrel to age and dispense the nocino. RSVP online. 1944 High School Road, Sebastopol; ambixspirits.com.

SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION AT ST. FRANCIS WINERY

Thursday, June 20, 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Join St. Francis Winery & Vineyards for a summer solstice extravaganza like no other! Bask in the longest day of the year at their Summer Solstice Celebration. Bring your family and friends to relish the warm summer day with food, wine, and live music set against the scenic backdrop of Sonoma County. Indulge in culinary delights from gourmet food trucks, toast the longest day with their award-winning Artisan Collection wines, and challenge your friends to lively lawn games. They’ve got something for everyone. RSVP online. 100 Pythian Road at Hwy 12, Santa Rosa; stfranciswinery.com.

HIGH BLOOM SEASON AT MONTE-BELLARIA

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, June 21 to July 28

Come see the lavender blooming at Monte-Bellaria di California. Each visitor ticket fee will include admission, parking, and an optional (free), 10-minute VIP tour of the property including lavender fields, beehives, and distillation laboratory. The farm store will be open selling fresh lavender, lavender essential oils, olive oil and honey products. Picnic tables by the farm pond will be open for everyone’s use (first come, first serve) during their 75-minute time slot. Take a walk all around the lavender fields and see the scenic views of the hills and Russian River vineyards. Not a U-pick. Tickets required. 3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol; monte-bellaria.com.

VINEYARD WALK & BBQ AT DUTTON ESTATE WINERY

Saturday, June 22, 11 am to 2 pm

Join Dutton Estate Winery for the event of the year! Meet Joe Dutton at Dutton Ranch, where he will guide a small group on a one-hour walk through Shop Block, the very vineyard his father Warren established in 1967. Afterwards, indulge in a summer-themed BBQ with a delightful array of wines at Dutton Estate Winery. RSVP online. 8757 Green Valley Road, Sebastopol; duttonestate.com.

FLORAL DESIGN WORKSHOP AT POPPIES & PETALS FARM

Saturday, June 29, 9 to 11 am

Join Poppies & Petals Farm for another fun morning workshop taught by artist/floral designer Dominique Pfahl, owner of Floréal in San Francisco. Start the morning with coffee and light refreshments followed by a demo by Dominique. Then head into the garden to cut flowers for your headpiece vase. Dominique and the farm team will be on-hand to guide you through the process. With the flowers right at your finger tips, you can go back and harvest more of what you need to add the finishing touches to your centerpiece. Limited spaces; sign up online. 500 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa; poppiesandpetalsfarm.com.

SONOMA COUNTY FARM BUREAU'S LOVE OF THE LAND

Thursday, July 11, 4:30 pm

Don't miss out! Join Sonoma County Farm Bureau for their annual Love of the Land event! Celebrate this year's award recipients for their outstanding contributions to our agricultural community. Tickets are going fast, so secure yours today and be part of an unforgettable evening filled with delicious food, great company, and inspiring stories. Tickets online. The Pavilion at Richard's Grove, La Crema Estates & Saralee's Vineyard, 3575 Slusser Road, Windsor; https://sonomafb.org/love-of-the-land/

VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR

Farm Trails Member Spotlights

Jude Crawford

Zannah Farms, Santa Rosa