Have a fabulous Fourth with everything from old-fashioned bucket brigades to family parades and, of course, fireworks. Cities large and small across the Central Valley and foothills will celebrate our nation’s independence.

Visit Modesto Bee’s look at Fourth of July activities across the region!

Our breath was taken away by the sight of this beautiful hidden farm in Escalon. We step out of the car to the heavenly scent of lavender and buzzing of bees, beyond unfolds a small valley with a beautiful house, an English garden, a cave tree, a few classic cars… 1928 Franklin, 1942 Franklin, 1935 Chevy Pickup and a transformed barn now a darling gift shop.

Bill and Alice Taylor have eight and half acres that started four years ago with a mix of fruit trees, unsure what to do with the remaining land and no irrigation they chose to grow the drought resistant plant of lavender, today this successful farm now boasts over 42 varieties!

At Lavender Hollow Farms you can come cut your own lavender, participate in a lavender wand making class or visit their gift shop filled with lavender soaps, lotions, oils, teas, scones, lavender lemonade and these amazing lavender butter cookies - all made by their own family’s love and dedication. Austin, Bill and Alice’s 19 year old son has been a large part of the farm development while attending Merced College. Ryan their oldest helps with the Modesto farmers market at which you can find their products. Daughter Mindy and husband Drew help on the weekends along with Alice’s sisters Mary and Loretta who help with the tea parties, crafts and product production.

We hope you will take the time to visit this beautiful farm and enjoy another local summer outing!

Lavender Hollow farms is open

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 9:00am ~ 4:00pm, May ~ July.

Their web site Lavenderhollowfarm.com is currently under construction but you can find more information on the benefits of lavender at Organic Facts.

From the bottom of the dog pile to the top of the dog pile…

College Baseball World Series …. National Champions …. go Bulldogs!

If you missed this exciting championship game here is a very short version of an thrilling cinderella story :

Like silent little heroes… did you know all those beautiful creatures buzzing around serve a purpose in most fruit, vegetable and plant production?!

Here are a few great resources we found for you to learn more:

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: week long podcasts on a variety of pollinating topics
• The Daily Green: offering simple easy pollinating tips
• The Great Sunflower Project: Get your free sunflower seeds to help preserve our pollinators
• Pollinator Partnership: Learn more about National Pollinatior Week and how to get this sweet poster

“Sustainable Farming Is Our Legacy For The Next Generation”

posted in California Farm Bureau Federation

by Craig McNamara, founder of Center for Land Based Learning

Craig McNamara, owner of Sierra Orchards in Winters, says the Leopold Conservation Award that he received last year is the single most important recognition that his farming operation has received in its 28-year history.By Craig McNamara

The farm bill that recently passed the U.S. Congress includes increased funding to support conservation, which is a positive development. However, the legislative debate risks masking the truth that stewardship and conservation of the land is an inherent part of smart farming practices. While we farmers and ranchers greatly appreciate the government’s encouragement and support, that’s not why we do it.

As farmers and ranchers we have an intimate daily relationship with the land, water and air. The land is both our love and our livelihood. Our job is to care for the land, and when we do that well, the land takes care of us. The Leopold Conservation Award, presented annually in California and six other states, recognizes farmers and ranchers who exemplify this ethic. I am proud to have been honored with this award by Sand County Foundation, Sustainable Conservation and California Farm Bureau Federation last year. It is the single most important recognition that our farming operation has received in our 28-year history.

At Sierra Orchards, we utilize both tried-and-true organic farming practices and the most recent technological advances. We’ve invested in drainage ponds, sediment traps and hedgerow plantings to ensure that no water is wasted and no downstream waterways are affected. We hang more than 40,000 pheromone devices each year to control codling moth pests. And we use composted table scraps from San Francisco restaurants as fertilizer. Sierra Orchards’ organic walnut production and sales have steadily increased, demonstrating the integral relationship between economic success and sustained conservation.

It gives me great pleasure to help young people develop a personal connection with the land that feeds them. They are the next generation of land stewards and decision-makers, and it’s critical that they understand nature and agriculture. We created the Center for Land-Based Learning based at Sierra Orchards so that California high school students can learn about sustainable agriculture first- hand. At a time when so many students struggle to stay in school, we want to help them become lifelong learners, overcome barriers to change, develop leadership skills and build greater human and social capital in their communities. The program reaches more than 2,000 California students annually. An additional 2,000 adults–scientists, farmers, chefs, environmental experts and more–come to the learning center each year for professional development.

My family and everyone at the Center for Land-Based Learning are very honored to receive the Leopold Conservation Award because we believe so fervently in the ethic of Aldo Leopold and the work of Sand County Foundation. We are also very excited because there are so many California farmers and ranchers who are engaged in visionary and innovative work. Many of us know a farmer or rancher who deserves to be recognized in this way. I encourage everyone to come forward with their stories and submit their nomination for the 2008 award.

Nominations are due July 9. For more information, go to www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

(Craig McNamara is the owner of Sierra Orchards in Winters, Calif., and founder of the Center for Land-Based Learning. He also serves on the California Board of Food and Agriculture and is a founding trustee of UC Merced and a member of the UC Davis Dean’s Advisory Council. He won the Leopold Conservation Award in 2007. Craig can be reached at farming@scbglobal.net.)

It’s all about returning to community and appreciating what is in our own neighborhoods!

It was so much fun and great to see this event being supported by Motown locals! I loved cruising downtown art galleries that were open to all, some with foods and live music. Restaurants and bars were hopping with a friendly sociable vibe. Graceada Park was filled with families and locavores of all ages enjoying an evening of music at the Mancini Bowl. I was happy to run into my friends Jim Christiansen and Christine Pierson who are so dedicated in creating this enjoyable artisan affair, as they were in helping us through our “Pick & Gather” week-end. They have done a wonderful job connecting downtown and the community with local artists and musicians. The Art Walk will happen every third thursday of the month from June - December.

Check out Jims Blog for more details, come on down next month!

Art Walk or Third Thursday Gallery and Art Walk was started by galleries in the downtown entertainment district area, not the 10th to 12th Street boundary for MPD and its monitor of clubs, but the whole of downtown, where there are a number of sites, old and new. This was a private business initiative, get art patrons down, meet the artists, the frame and matte resources, the gallery owners, that caught on with Mistlin, then with restaurants and shops supporting local artists, musicians, local designers without any real City or agency support. State Theatre signed on last year, and this is a long running now, six years since Anderson Gallery and Frame Shop and Chartreuse Muse got this going, all ages, and truly entertaining, free to view and shop, arts and cultural event, with artists pariticipation. Its part of what Chris means, as like music, its gaining regional notice as friends from other areas drop in from foothills, Stockton, elsewhere on Modesto Arts Scene, sample the music too, the eateries, all of which survive in a revitalized area, going through tough economic times as the rest of the county.

Posted by: Jim Christiansen

Lorina’s Edible Garden:

• Cooking with Herbs
• Friday, June 20, 1:00pm

The Farm is open Fridays & Saturdays 11:00am - 3:00pm through June.

Call for more info. (209) 402-7567.

Fresno State farm Festival:

Stone Fruit Festival:

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Local Choices has created a new online social network to connect people in our central valley who are interested in learning about or living a sustainable lifestyle. All are welcome to join and chat with others, share blog posts, photos, videos, local events and any other related news or information. This is a great opportunity to share ideas, discuss important issues and build a community that cares!

Saturday, June 21 5 ~ 9 PM

5790 N. Indianola ~ Clovis, Ca

The Slow Food community invites your family to celebrate organic,

artisan farmers creating authentic local food culture at the first

‘Organic Stone Fruit Jubilee’.

“Receiving accolades and featured by premiere retailers in major metropolitan markets, many of our San Joaquin Valley, organic orchardists are unknown and un-tasted in their own backyard!” - Tom Willey

FRESNO, Calif., - Celebrate the Summer Solstice and discover the central valley’s best-kept horticultural secrets on June 21st from 5-9 pm, at the Organic Stone Fruit Jubilee. Held at the Mokichi Okada Association’s ‘Oasis Garden’ at 5790 N. Indianola, this evening event will feature eleven San Joaquin Valley farmers offering tastings of their certified organic peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots and apricots.
This family friendly event is focused on healthy living and includes children’s activities, physicians discussing the connection between food and health, a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and music by Ted Nunes.
Artisan fruit pastries and handmade fresh fruit ice cream as well as retailers who feature local, farm fresh, organic produce will offer products for purchase.

Acclaimed stone fruit breeder, Ed Laivo from Dave Wilson Nursery will conduct a workshop on orcharding history, highlighting extraordinary stories about the featured varieties of fruit. Fresno County’s “Golden Triangle” is home to some of the planet’s richest soil that produces world-renowned tree fruit.

Event information - www.gofresnocounty.com
Slow Food Movement - www.slowfoodmadera.org
Mokichi Okada Association – www.moa-fresno.org

Contact: Tom Willey 559-706-9552
or Bruno Luconi 559-324-0465