Sonoma County Farm Bureau Presents ‘Love of the Land’

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Kari Cameron

“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

Sonoma County Farm Bureau 12th Annual Golf Tournament

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Kari Cameron

Farmer Ranch Tournament Two thousand thirteen marks the 12^th year in which the Sonoma County Farm Bureau is bringing folks together and raising money for a good cause through the fun of sport. The golf tournament this time around is for the benefit of agriculture education, and will be held at Windsor Golf Course on June 14, 2013. The deadline for entry is Monday, June 3.

The proceeds support numerous agricultural education programs, including Ag Days, 4-H, FFA, California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, Young Farmers & Ranchers, Farm Bureau Institute, Summer Ag Seminar, and more.

The schedule of events is as follows:

11:30 a.m. – Registration and Warm Up for Players
Noon – Box Lunch Provided for Participants
1 p.m. – Tournament Begins
6 p.m. – Dinner Followed by Awards Ceremony and Raffle

There are 3 main ways to get involved: Tickets, Team Sponsorships, and General Sponsorships.

Tickets

Individual Player tickets are $165 each, and they include lunch, dinner, tee prizes, carts, range balls, green fees, and beverages on the course.
Foursome Golf Packet tickets are $660. They include the same perks as outlined above, but for 4 players.
Dinner-Only tickets cost $40 each.

Team Sponsorships

Bronze Sponsor costs $850. It includes 4 players and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
Silver Sponsor costs $1,350. It includes 4 players, tee sign with company name/logo, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, $50 in raffle tickets, and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
Diamond Sponsor costs $1,850. It includes 4 players, company display booth on the course, tee sign with company name/logo, corporate banner displayed, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, $100 in raffle tickets, and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.

General Sponsorships

19th Hole Awards Dinner Sponsor is $1,200. It includes 1 Player, company banner and booth at dinner, company collateral on dinner tables, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, and company logo in Rules and Schedule handout.
Company Logo Golf Ball Sponsor is $1,000. It includes 3 balls for each player, each with custom corporate logo.
Corporate Sponsor is $650. It includes company display booth on the course, tee sign with company name/logo, corporate banner displayed, website recognition, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
Beverage Cart Sponsor is $500. It includes logo and signage on beverage cart, and one non-golfer company representative who may ride along in the beverage cart.
Hole Sponsor is $300. It includes company display booth on the course and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
Tee Box Sponsor is $150. It includes company name/logo displayed at hole and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.

To RSVP and complete your purchase online, visit the official Sonoma County Farm Bureau 12^th Annual Golf Tournament website here: https://sonomafb.org//Annual+Events/Golf+Tournament.htm

Anyone wishing to download, print, and fax in their RSVP can get the registration form here: https://sonomafb.org/pdf/Golf_Registration_Form_12.pdf

RSVP forms should be faxed to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau at (707) 544-7452.

All questions should be forwarded to Steven Knudsen, communications and development coordinator, at (707) 544-5575 or steven@sonomafb.org

Scholarships for Children of Sonoma County Vineyard Workers

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Kari Cameron

Wilson Winery, located in Sonoma County, is gearing up for its 12^th annual fundraiser effort supporting the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund. The purpose of the fundraiser is to provide support and educational opportunities to the children of Sonoma County vineyard workers. It’s been reported that this year Wilson Wineries will donate over $10,000 in scholarships to deserving youth in the area.

Scholarship amounts range from $700 to $2,000 each. They are open to high school seniors continuing their education and to students who are already in a college, trade, or technical school. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013.

There is also a fundraising event for the cause, which includes appetizers, dinner, wine, entertainment, as well as a live auction, a silent auction, and a raffle. Anyone who donates $2000 of goods, services, or cash will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the event.

Here’s some information on this year’s event:

The event will take place from 6-10p.m. on May 11, 2013
Early bird-priced tickets are $75 (tickets must be purchased by March 31^st); tickets then go up to $90 per person after March 31^st
The location is Soda Rock Winery, 8015 Hwy. 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448

There are 3 other ways—in addition to attending the event—for the public to show their support of this scholarship program:

Send your tax-deductible donation to the address below
Donate to the silent auction
For growers and vintners, donate $1 for every 1 ton of grapes produced

For more information on the event, the scholarships, or the different Wilson Artisan Wineries, visit http://www.wilsonwinery.com or call the Sonoma County Farm Bureau at (707) 544-5575.

Background Information on the Scholarship Effort

It was in 2001 that Wilson Artisan Wineries established the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund. The project has distributed more than $100,000 in scholarships so far, in cooperation with the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Foundation.

In 2012, 20 students from Sonoma County were selected as recipients of the Wilson Artisan Wineries Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship. The students are now attending Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, U.C. Davis, U.C. Santa Cruz, Sacramento State University, and San Francisco State University.

“It literally just got started by seeing all my guys working for me, and all the hardships they’ve gone through and all their kids,” says Ken Wilson, owner of eight wineries operated by the Wilson family. “You look at it all and say, ‘Wow, we need to help out a little bit.’ The scholarships came from that.”

Wilson Winery, deLorimier Winery, Soda Rock Winery, Pezzi King Winery, Jaxon Keys Winery, Mazzocco Winery, Matrix Winery, and St. Anne’s Crossing Winery are the eight wineries owned by Diane and Ken Wilson.

For the Kids: Sonoma-Marin ‘Farm News for Kids’

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Kari Cameron

The first half of 2013 will indeed be a very busy time for the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. The organization has two very special events planned in the near future for young people in the Sonoma-Marin area who wish to learn more about agriculture and/or get involved in the important work of the nonprofit.

Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers
On February 20, at 6:30 p.m. PST, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau (located at 970 Piner Road in Santa Rosa) will host the first meeting of the new, reorganized Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers organization. This meeting is open to young agriculturalists—between the ages of 18 and 35—who live and work in Sonoma and Marin counties.

Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers is an organization—much like a prep course—for young people who are passionate about agriculture and want to learn more about its vital role in Sonoma and Marin counties. The organization is part of a state and national organization which develops the leadership skills of members through volunteer efforts. In addition to the age requirement, the only prerequisite to become a member is an interest in agriculture.

Sarah Reynolds, who is an agriculturalist from Butte County and chairman of the California Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, is the guest speaker. Reynolds will discuss leadership opportunities and other benefits of being a Young Farmers & Ranchers member. There will also be free barbecue provided for all in attendance.

The two people in charge of leading the effort to re-establish the Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers, which has been dormant for several years, are Taylor Serres and Jennifer Beretta.

For further information or to make reservations for the meeting and barbecue, you should contact Taylor Serres by phone at 707-695-9144 or by email at TPSerres18@yahoo.com.

“Farm News for Kids”
“Farm News for Kids” is a new publication being produced in Sonoma County by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. The intention of this once-a-year agricultural education publication is to provide information to children and their families on topics pertaining to agriculture within Sonoma County. This very special publication will become available on March 15, 2013.

In this full-color, 24-page, magazine-type publication will be Sonoma County agriculture information, food safety tips, and English and Spanish lessons, as well as news articles, activities, stimulating graphics, and even trivia questions for kids. The purpose is to provide children with a fun and exciting way to learn more about agriculture and the origins of the food we all consume.

Estimated combined readership for this publication is 23,000 kids and their families. You can find yourself a copy at most local agricultural education events, such as Ag Days, Petaluma Ag Day, and Harvest Fair Ag Day.

If you’re interested in advertising within the publication, the deadline to submit is February 22, 2013. Prices range from $50 to $1,600.

You can download the advertising contract here: http://www.sonomafb.org/pdf/Farm_Bureau_Advertising_Contract-12.pdf.

You can download the advertising rate and size sheet here: http://www.sonomafb.org/pdf/Farm_News_for_Kids_Ad%20Sizes_and_Dimensions-13.pdf.