“Love of the Land” is an annual event held by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau to support agricultural education, scholarships, and ag-related activities in the classroom, as well as to protect clean water and farm lands in the Sonoma area. The event is open to the public, and the festivities will include great Sonoma County food and wine, an auction, and awards for some of the county’s most important contributors.
This year’s Love of the Land will be held Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard, which is located at 3575 Slusser Road in Windsor. Event parking will be located at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, 4401 Slusser Road.
The event starts at 5 p.m., beginning with tastings of Sonoma County wine and food until 7 p.m. After the tasting, a dinner will be served featuring an array of Sonoma County-grown treats. Immediately following the benefit dinner will be the awards presentation and live auction.
The reservation deadline for this event is July 5. Reservations can be made online or by phone at (707) 544-5575.
This Year’s Award Recipients
The award recipients for 2013 that will be honored after the benefit dinner include Lee and Carolyn Martinelli Family of Forestville, Tish Ward of the Atwood Ranch, and Saralee McClelland Kunde.
Lee and Carolyn Martinelli Family of Forestville will receive the award for “Farm Family of the Year,” because of their long ties to Sonoma County.
Tish Ward of the Atwood Ranch will receive the “Luther Burbank Conservation Award” for her environmental ethic and strong passion for land and nature. You can read more about Tish Ward here.
Saralee McClelland Kunde, a grape grower, agricultural leader, philanthropist, and significant figure in Sonoma County’s food and wine scene, will receive accolades and be inducted as an official member of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame. You can read more about Saralee McClelland Kunde here.
Tickets and Donations for “Love of the Land” 2013
An individual ticket granting general admission and seating is available for $65. A reserved table with seating for 8 people is priced at $700. And finally, a corporate sponsor table—which includes a private table for 8 guests, recognition at the event, in the program and on the Farm Bureau website, and a listing in the post-event coverage—costs $1,250. You can get your tickets by clicking the “Buy Now” button under the Tickets section here.
If you’re interested in making a donation to the live or silent auctions, click here to download the PDF form.
Donations ideas include gift baskets, time shares, guest accommodations, sports memorabilia, outdoor adventures, wine pairing dinners, cases of wine, arts, crafts, tools and supplies, equipment rentals, or even cash donations. All donors will be recognized in the program, as well as in Sonoma-Marin Farm News and on the Farm Bureau website.
To see photos from last year’s “Love of the Land,” as well as a write up by Tim Tesconi detailing the event, visit: http://sonomafb.org/Farm+News/Farm+News+Archive/2012/Aug+12/Love+Land+Success.htm