Half Moon Bay Review
July 13, 2006

Spend a day on the farm

By Stacy Trevenon

Coastsiders can bring along the kids and get to know local farmers who are "Outstanding in Their Fields: A Day on the Farm" on July 29.

Registration is open now.

Sponsored by the Committee for Green Foothills and scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in July 29, the event is a bus tour around coastal farms, with speakers, lunch and chances to stroll open land.

"We're hoping this will be a chance for people to meet the farmers directly, and hear about how they make decisions about what to grow and how to grow it," said Committee for Green Foothills Executive Director Holly Van Houten. "We're trying to make a link between the consumers and the farmers."

The day begins when the buses depart from Dunes State Beach and head for Daylight Farms in Half Moon Bay, where "Farmer John" Muller will discuss agriculture.

From there, the buses will head to another coastal farm yet to be confirmed as of press time.

En route, participants will hear Tim Frahm, of the San Mateo County Farm Bureau, describe the farms the bus will pass, and discuss different farming practices, water conservation and approaches to protecting riparian areas.

The buses will head for historic Cascade Ranch south of Pescadero, for lunch in an old barn. Made with local produce, it will be provided by Costanoa Resort. Over lunch, speakers John Wade and Nando Muzzi will discuss the farm's past.

Additional speakers Jack Olsen of the Farm Bureau and Jim Cochran of Coastways Ranch and Swanton Berry Farm will discuss their personal histories with farming.

Young members of the local 4-H will also assist with the lunch.

Participants will hear Erin Tormey, of the Coastside Certified Farmers' Market, talk about the market and the importance of farmers reaching consumers directly.

Participants can choose between a hike or a hayride to the next destination, Pie Ranch, also south of Pescadero. Here, organic wheat is grown and hand-ground into flour for pies made with local berries. Jared Lawson of Pie Ranch will discuss the process and participants will have a treat: "Everyone gets a piece of pie," said Van Houten.

Everyone will also get a sense of event sponsor, the Committee for Green Foothills. This nonprofit, founded in 1962, seeks to preserve open space in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties through education and advocacy.

This event speaks directly to the Committee for Green Foothills purpose, said Van Houten.

"To preserve open space, you need to preserve the agricultural heritage of the San Mateo Coastside" she said. "Linking consumers to farmers is an important part of preserving open space."

The cost for Outstanding in their Fields is $25 per person for adults over age 18, $15 for youth age 6 to 18 and free for children under 6.

Registration is required by July 21. Call (650) 968-7243.

Page last updated September 13, 2010.