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Farmers Friend – a local food win-win
When the Farmers Friend program was envisioned nearly a year ago, the idea was to connect local farms with local food distributions. This idea was put into practice with the partnership with Food For All/Comida Para Todos, and after 16 or so distributions and almost 15,000 lbs , much of that from local farms, the idea became reality.
Thank You Pauls’ Produce, Oak Hill Farm, Whole
Foods, Cannard Farm, Gertz Farm and Two Moon
Family Farm!!
Growing in the Springs – Agua Caliente Firehouse renovation!
Some time back, when we were meeting in public, folks at a Springs Municipal Advisory Committee were proposing ideas for Springs improvement projects. More pocket parks, and a formal plaza conveying a sense of place were some of the big project visions. The Springs plaza has long been proposed for the area north of the Post Office building, where the Springs farmers market was hosted.
Springs resident Janice Folzman, who had spearheading beautification projects in the area, proposed smaller projects that would beautify an small space, a private or public landscape, and support for local businesses and Highway 12 residents in improving their properties. A few volunteers present, including myself, agreed to meet and discuss potential projects. The Agua Caliente Fire Station (Sonoma Valley Fire Station #3) was chosen as a great visible, gateway project which could also serve to demonstrate firewise landscaping and honor our FIrst Responders at the same time. The Fire Department liked the idea and we planned our design.
On a recent Saturday, Springs Hall volunteers, Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, and Sonoma Valley Wholesale Nursery staff and owner Paul Martinez met up to install the second phase of the project.
Future additions call for artistic and sculptural features which highlight the importance of this property and its brave workers in keeping our communities safe.
Farmer’s Friend
As we have been reporting, the Farmer’s Friend program has been focused on supporting essential food distributions by connecting local farmers with those in need. Our local, organic produce is often less available to many in our community, due to cost, access, and education on the value of these products.
Our work with Food For All/Comida Para Todos has been very gratifying, particularly given the support that program has shown the Springs Hall’s efforts, but also from the positive response and generosity of our farmers as well as great community volunteers that make this happen. We will be expanding the program to work in conjunction with our efforts to support and promote local agriculture. To find out more or for ways to participate, contact us at: sonomaspringshall@gmail.com
Sonoma Valley Grange #407 