From Full Belly Farm’s Newsletter, The Beet

We would like to extend a warm and hearty welcome to all of you to help us celebrate our 21st annual Hoes Down Harvest Festival here at Full Belly Farm on Saturday, October 4th. This wonderful day of celebration and hands-on education is a time where fun abounds for all ages. Kids will revel in the hay-fort, field mazes, pumpkin carving and magical magicians, while the adults can attend over 25 workshops, farm tours or simply choose to dance all day long! Together all of these activities make for a lively, family festive atmosphere that has been enjoyed by thousands over the past 21 years.

What started as a small gathering of local farmers and crafters who wanted customers to visit our valley has now developed into an event that has at its heart a mission to reconnect our local communities to the agricultural areas that provide them food while raising awareness and appreciation for the value of rural areas. In other words (!) come and spend a day with your family and friends experiencing what fun farm life can be -watch the cow being milked, grind wheat into flour and then pop some bread into the wood-fired oven, watch the sheep being shorn and their wool spun into glistening yarn, bob for apples or make a corn husk doll to bring home. All of these farm events are interspersed with grand music and great organic food.

Many of the workshops on Saturday provide hands on experience for adults and children alike — learn how to make a perfect compost pile, prune trees with some of the region’s experts or take a walking tour with Full Belly Farm owners. The Straw Bale house will be open for viewing, as well as a talk about the solar energy generated here at the farm. For those wanting a day of relaxation, the waters of Cache Creek are great for swimming and splashing. Bring your suit and head on in!

The Hoes Down is a benefit event that donates to local, regional and statewide organizations that promote sustainable agriculture, farmland preservation and the development of future farmers. The Hoes Down is organized almost entirely by volunteers. We welcome anyone to join in the volunteer effort — as you know “volunteers have the most fun!” Email us at volunteers@hoesdown.org to sign up.

Many people enjoy the day time events and then camp for the night under the stars in our almond or walnut orchards. For those spending the night a delicious breakfast is served on Sunday morning, cooked and served by volunteers. Spending the night makes for a great segue to the additional activities provided on Sunday, October 5th. This year we are planning a bike tour of other local farms, a home-brewing workshop, olive oil production and many more. Please sign up early for these popular activities as they often fill up. Pre-registration can be done on line. There is no need to make advanced reservations for the Saturday Hoes Down Festival — there is always enough room for everyone! Prices are $20/adults and $5 for children (2-12). Under 2 years old are free.

For more information about the Hoes Down please visit the website (www.hoesdown.org); phone us at 1-800-791-2110 or email at info@hoesdown.org.

Hoes Down RideShare

Reduce your carbon footprint by sharing rides to the Hoes Down Harvest Festival. Our goal is to see a majority of FULL cars coming through our front gate! We often have more people looking for rides than offering rides. Don’t be shy!

** We are offering a $15 coupon to each RIDESHARE car (to be distributed as the occupants decide) that is worth $15.** We will need to successfully hook up your ride share in advance in order to mail you the coupon.

Send us an e-mail at judith@fullbellyfarm.com and tell us:
1. Offering or Looking?
2. If Offering, how many can you take? If Looking, how many of you are there?
3. Leaving from?
4. Hoping to leave for the Hoes Down on what day and approximately what time? (If you are flexible, that’s GREAT!)
5. Hoping to return from the Hoes Down on what day and approximately what time? (If you are flexible, that’s GREAT!)
6. Can we give your phone number to other rideshare participants? If so, please send us your phone number.