Spring California Farm Tours

Nothing beats fresh cherries, picked right from the tree. Photo courtesy of www.sxc.hu

Spring is blossoming in California with a wealth of farm tours throughout the state. Agritourism coordinator Penny Leff, of the UC Small Farm Program, shared some of her top picks with us.

1. On Sunday, March 14, Visalia's Farmers Market Farm Tours offers a field trip to Oak Patch Farm, known for its salad greens, sprouts and assorted pesticide-free veggies. Additional tours leave once a month on Sundays. For reservations and information, call Paige Williams-Reng at 559-967-6722.
2. On four Saturdays during March and April, join the Friend's Ranch Tangerine Tours. The tours, which run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. include a quick history about these Ojai citrus growers followed by a walk with the farmers through the orchard. Pick fruit, sample the tangerines, and feel free to ask questions. Cost is $12 ($5 for children 2 to 10). Pick your own fruit, or buy it in the packing house, for $1.50 per pound for fruit they pick or buy in the packinghouse. Make reservations at 805-646-2871.
3. On Sunday, April 18, join Sonoma County Farm Trails for a Blossoms, Bees & Barnyard Babies Tour. Highlighting some of Sonoma County's finest food and agriculture, the one-day event features orchard walks, newly-born animals and blooming fields. Our top pick? Sampling local honeys while learning the art of beekeeping. Cost is $25 per car or $10 per person. For reservations, call 707-837-8896.
4. Every Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Alex and Jackie Lehman offer Pomegranate Honey Tours of their 500-acre Home Grown Cellars in Madera County. The farm is known for its pomegranates, grapes, apples, almonds and walnuts. Don't miss the farm store where you can buy pure pomegranate juice, pomegranate honey (an intense flavor created by placing the bees in an isolated pomegranate orchard), pomegranate oil, soap, jelly, seed meal and more. For tour information, call 559-664-8599.
5. Join the self-guided Tour de Cluck Chicken Coop Crawl in Davis on May 22, featuring a cycling tour of local urban and suburban chicken coops. Tour de Cluck benefits the Davis Farm to School Connection's work to support local food in the schools. For details, call Jacqueline Clemens at 530-758-5005.
6. Every Sunday, Petaluma's Tara Firma Farm offers public tours of its almost-organic property. Tara and Craig Smith welcome you to tour their vegetable fields;  meet grass-fed, pasture-raised pigs, cows and chickens; get a ride to the top of the property to enjoy views of San Francisco Bay; and hike 30-40 minutes back. End your visit at the farm store where you can purchase produce, chicken, beef, pork, and eggs. For tour information, call 707-765-1202.
7. On April 24-25, enjoy a tour of 12 Mariposa farms, vegetable gardens, wineries and orchards during the Mariposa Weekend in the Country. During the event, located in the Sierra foothills, you'll get to check out an alpaca ranch, sheep ranch and two cattle ranches, in addition to a family farm. Additional activities include a bird walk, nature photography workshop and children's activities. Book the tour through JJ Gillispie or Kris Casto at 209-377-8450.
8. Finally, for a unique weekend getaway, book San Luis Obispo's "Bounty of the County" hotel package. Enjoy two nights in a boutique hotel combined with a guided local farm tour. Tour the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, milk a goat at Happy Acres Family Farm, or see lavender oil being made at Green Acres Lavender Farm. Other highlights include wine tasting at Ancient Peaks Winery and wine making at Eberle Winery. Learn more here.