July is upon us, and before we know it summer will wane into autumn - calling for farmers to put their hoes down and celebrate the fruits of labor! Please join us at the Hoes Down Harvest Celebration on Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th to honor agricultural arts and sustainable rural living. Two fun-filled days of events and seminars for all ages will take place at Full Belly Farm in rural Capay Valley - a region of many small farms that supply Northern California's neighborhood grocery stores and eateries with fresh organic produce. This 28th annual event offers the public a special opportunity to connect with rural life and deepen our understanding of the local food system.
Over 5,000 people from across the state attend the festival each year, and there is always a little something for everyone. Educational farm tours, a children's area, games, live bluegrass music and wagon rides are always favorite activities, not to mention the glorious all-organic farmers' market with a bounty of seasonal produce such as fresh-picked almonds and walnuts, a huge variety of melons, apples, and pumpkins. For more information visit the news section of our website as well as the official Hoes Down website. Online registration for the Hoes Down event, seminars and overnight camping opens August 3rd at www.hoesdown.org. Mark your calendars and stay tuned!
Update: Hiking the Distance to Reduce Food Miles
photo by Cauri Hammer
Cauri Hammer, the EcoFarm-er who is hiking the John Muir Trail to raise awareness of the benefits of eating local food is keeping busy sourcing and prepping her trail meals as her departure date approaches. In addition to educating people about local food systems, Cauri is also generously fundraising for the Ecological Farming Association. Cauri has a blog where she's been sharing more about her passion for healthy, nutritious, and sustainably produced food, her tentative itinerary for the hike, and how she's been putting together her trail meals. Follow along, and help her reach her fundraising goal!