Discover local farms near you! Summer is a great time of year to meet the people who grow our food, attend farm events and shop fresh seasonal produce and farmstand goods. Browse farmstands, u-pick days and special on‑farm events (dinners, tours, workshops) to support local growers and bring home the …
This former school site in the small community of Monte Rio has been thoughtfully transformed into a vibrant community gathering place, now owned and stewarded by the Monte Rio Recreation and Park District. The site features a skateboard park, community garden, picnic areas, a creekside trail and a lease space …
Ever wonder what a CSA box is or what a produce subscription might entail? A CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a program to connect local producers with local eaters. The model grew nationally in the 1980s but took hold arguably sooner in Sonoma County as part of our deep …
One of the first noted farmers markets in the United States dates back to 1730 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Back then, farmers markets served as a critical link in our local and national food system. The growing, buying and selling of fresh local produce, meats and baked goods was essential to …
A frequent topic of concern we hear about from landowners is succession planning. It can be complex, emotional, and is not a one-size-fits all type of endeavor. We’ve heard from you all that this is an area where you’d like us to provide support, and to kick that off we …
Mary Chambers is Ag + Open Space’s Agricultural Specialist, and is a member of Ag + Open Space’s Community Resources team that focuses on working with all of Sonoma County’s communities. We’re excited to share more about this role with all of you, with a focus on how this role is focused on helping agricultural landowners. First off, Mary, we’d love …
Colgan Creek originates in the foothills of Taylor Mountain, flows across the Laguna de Santa Rosa, into the Russian River and eventually to the Pacific Ocean. Sections of the creek were relocated and channelized in the 1950s, but in 2002 the Santa Rosa City Council adopted the Lower Colgan Creek …
As spring makes its final descent across Sonoma County, we see the pace increase on our working lands: the farms, ranches and people who shape this place we call home. We are honored to feature Anna Jacobsen, whose family’s ranching legacy is woven into the fabric of Sonoma County. Her …
Ag + Open Space advocates for increased and expedited Prop 4 funding A couple times each year, members of our staff head to Sacramento with colleagues from other open space districts, land trusts, park districts, and all manner of public access and conservation organizations throughout the Bay Area to speak directly to legislators and their staff about allocating stable funding to our …
Spring in Sonoma County means one thing for many of us: wildflower season is almost here and the landscape is about to burst with color. Why wildflowers matter here Wildflowers bring beauty, but they also help keep Sonoma County thriving with their support of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds that in …