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The Pollinator
The monthly newsletter of Sonoma County Farm Trails
Dear Farm Trails Members and Friends:
The holiday season has been a busy one for Farm Trails. We're in the process of wrapping up our membership drive for the year, so if you know a farmer who isn't a member of Sonoma County Farm Trails please let them (and us) know! We're happy to send your favorite farmer a membership application so they can be listed in the 2010-2011 Map & Guide, and participate in the exciting new events we have planned for 2010.
Hope you're keeping warm with some hot apple cider,
The staff at Sonoma County Farm Trails |
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Letter from the Executive Director
Holidays are a busy season for all of us. Thanksgiving has barely passed and already it's time to think about Christmas trees and bringing in the new year.
At Sonoma County Farm Trails, we'd like to give you a challenge as you start the holiday season. This year, think local when you shop for holiday presents and dinners. Many farmers and local artisanal food producers offer beautiful preserves, cheeses, and even handmade crafts -- not to mention cold-season produce like beets, carrots, radishes, and greens, and storage crops like winter squash and potatoes to make holiday dinner. Buying products from local farms is a great way to support your local farmers, boost your neighborhood economy, and share the flavors of farm-fresh food with your family and friends, too.
Did you know that for items sold in a chain grocery store, a farmer receives only 5 cents for every dollar of produce sold? So every time you buy an apple, the farmer who planted the tree, tended it, and harvested the apple receives only 5% of your money. On the other hand, if you buy a local Sonoma County apple at a farmers market or farm stand, the farmer receives 100% of the money you spend -- money that will be circulated back in the local economy.
A very merry holiday season to all,
Lynda
Lynda Browning
Executive Director of Sonoma County Farm Trails
And farmer at Foggy River Farm |
Early Bird Breakfast Club :
On Hiatus for the Holidays
Due to the holidays, Sonoma County Farm Trails won't be hosting a December Early Bird Breakfast Club. But never fear, our workshop series will return in 2010. If there's a particular topic you'd like to see put on the 2010 schedule, send an email to farmtrails@farmtrails.org with your suggestion. |
Gift idea : It's the cheese!
Sonoma County is blessed with hardworking ranchers who range their dairy cows and goats on some of the most fertile land in California. And, luckily, we also have a host of talented cheesemakers who work magic in the kitchen to turn that milk into delicious artisanal cheeses. If you're looking for a creative gift -- or an aperitif to bring over to your holiday host -- check out the following dairies for a gift that tastes out of this world. Photo courtesy of Redwood Hill Farm.
- Bodega Artisan Cheese: This small, sustainable goat farm offers top-of-the-line cheeses with no additives or animal rennet. Try the exquisite line of fresh cheeses -- Fresco, Crema, or Country Cottage -- or for a more flavorful centerpiece, the aged Manchego or Charolais. Bodega Artisan Cheese uses only the freshest milk, and processes their cheeses in small batches to ensure the perfect balance of flavors in every cheese they produce.
- Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery: Redwood Hill Farm has the honor of being the first certified humane dairy in California -- not to mention a longtime Farm Trails member and a producer of top show quality dairy goats. Their beautiful Saanens, Alpines, LaMancha, and Nubians yield sweet milk that is spun into delightful cheeses, yogurts, and kefirs. Try the chevre (delicious on whole wheat crackers), Gravenstein Gold (for true local flair), Crottin and Camellia. (Good cheese, they say, comes from happy goats.)
- Spring Hill Jersey Cheese: Spring Hill Jersey Cheese continues on the tradition started by the Petaluma Creamery in 1913, supporting local dairy farmers and turning local milk into local gold (cheese, that is!). Their line of flavored cheddar might be just the thing for a stocking (just don't leave it in there too long, and make sure there's no fire in the fireplace.) Or for a lighter flavor, try some curds or quark.
- Vella Cheese: Vella is Sonoma County dairy with an Italian flair. Offering traditional Italian style cheeses like Toma, Asiago, Mezzo Secco, and a traditional table, the attention to detail in these award-winning cheeses is stunning. What's even better than a block of fine cheese? Gift baskets that offer you small samples of a particular Vella theme -- like the Italian basket, Box of Jacks, or the Herb Box.
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O Christmas Tree! 
Chopping down your own Christmas tree at a local farm is a great way to support local agriculture. And local trees are green in more than one way -- they take less energy to get to your door than ones shipped from out-of-state, so they're easier on the environment, too.
If you're looking for a winter wonderland experience, Garlock is hard to beat. Of course, they can't promise snow, but your heart will be warmed by the cute country store which offers ornaments, mistletoe, holiday jewelry, not to mention hot apple cider and coffee. Before you decide on the perfect tree, take a tour of the farm on either a horse-drawn carriage ride of tractor hay ride. And of course, there are barn animals to keep the little (and big) ones occupied if Dad is a bit slow chopping down the tree. And by the way, Dad -- they sell pre-cut trees, too.
This four-generation family farm is a true gem nestled outside the town of Sonoma--and one of the largest Christmas Ttree farms in all of Sonoma County. The Ferrando family will make you feel right at home with their offerings of complimentary hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee, Christmas cookies and candy canes. And not only will they feed you, they'll do all the hard work, too -- cutting and carrying the tree right to your car. (You're also welcome to cut down your own tree if you choose, using one of their saws.) So stop by, relax, and enjoy the ambiance of a fragrant forest filled with more than 10,000 fir trees. |
Recipe from the President: Apple Cookies!
Glazed Apple Cookies
These big spicy cookies travel and keep well, taste wonderful. Double the batch cause they disappear rapidly. Nuts, raisins, apples, and eggs are abundant at local farmers markets this time of year.
One-half c. shortening
1 c. coarsely chopped nuts
One and one-third c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1 c. finely chopped peeled apple
1 farm fresh egg
1 c. raisins
2 c. sifted flour one-fourth c. Clover-Stornetta milk
1 tsp baking soda two and one-half tablespoons Clover-Stornetta cream or half and half
One-half teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
One and one-half c. sifted confections sugar
One-half teaspoon ground cloves
one-half teaspoon vanilla
One-fourth teaspoon ground nutmeg
one tablespoon butter
Beat together shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg to blend thoroughly.
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Stir half the dry ingredients into creamed mixture. Stir in nuts, apple and raisins; then stir in remaining half of dry ingredients and milk. Mix well.
Drop from tablespoon one and one-half inch apart onto lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in hot oven
(400) degrees 10-12 minutes. Remove cookies to racks and while still warm, spread with glaze
To make glaze, combine confections sugar, butter, vanilla and enough cream to make glaze of spreading consistency. Beat until smooth. Spread on warm cookies. Makes about 3 dozen.
Recipe courtesy Glenda Castelli - Sonoma County Farm Trails
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| Nana Mae's Organics:
Cider for the Holidays
Nothing will warm you up like a cup of spiced cider on a cold day. And instead of picking up those too-sweet packets from the grocery store, why not make your own, fresh, local, organic apple cider? Simply pick up a jug of Nana Mae's apple juice -- Gravenstein Apple juice is popular, or try the mid-season heritage blend -- heat it up on the stove with some mulling spices, and feel warm from head to toe. (If you're just looking to make one mug full, you can always pop it in the microwave until it's nice and hot, add a teabag of mulling spices, wait a few minutes, and then enjoy.)
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