THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CORRECTED REGARDING STEELE'S MARKET.

 

LAKE COUNTY – Beginning this month, prepare to savor the flavors of Lake County's Farmers' Finest produce and farm products as the county's farm stands and farmers' markets begin to open for the 2008 season.

From eggs and honey, which are available locally year-round, to plant starts, lettuce, strawberries, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, perennial plants, onions and more, are now available. As spring ends and summer begins, more summer produce, such as corn, peppers, beans, tomatoes, peaches and world-famous Lake County Mountain Bartlett pears, will soon be available.

There are many locations around Lake County where you can purchase produce and farm products directly from the farmer, which is good for the entire community. According to the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), farmers today get less than 10 cents of the retail food dollar.

Local farmers who sell directly to consumers cut out the many middlemen and get full retail price for their food – which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, here in Lake County, doing the work they love and residents can help to ensure a local food supply and keep local tax dollars within the county.

The following sources offer Lake County-grown produce for purchase directly from the farmer:

Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market

At Steele Wines, 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon, First Saturday in May - October

Upper Lake Saturday Morning Market

9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., June 14 - Sept. 27

Main Street off Highway 20 in Upper Lake

275-0105 or 275-2000

Friday Nite Market

4 - 8 p.m., June 6 - Oct. 17

Adjacent to Austin's Beach in Clearlake

994-3600

Adamson Ranch

Open May - October, call for days and times

11651 S. Highway 29, Lower Lake, CA 95457

355-3333

Barber's Country Farm

Wednesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Also at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market

4680 Clark Drive, Kelseyville, CA 95451

349-2518

Barrett Farms

Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market

PO Box 151, Finley, CA 95433

263-4211

www.barrettfarms.com

Buffalo Hills 95451

5120 and 5133 Cole Creek Road, Kelseyville, CA 95451

Visitors are welcome anytime to see the buffalo from the road; call ahead to purchase meat.

279-2063

Glo's Glee Garden

Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market

PO Box 743, Lower Lake, California 95457

987-2888

Hanson Ranch

Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., August - November

3360 Merritt Road, Kelseyville, CA 95451

279-4761

Hrutky's Egg Ranch

Open 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, year round

2750 Old Highway 53, Clearlake, CA 95422

994-2317

Jaguar Garden Nursery

Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market; call for direct sales

Lower Lake, CA 95457

995-5218

www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org/jaguar.htm

Leonardis Organics

Call for direct sales

Lakeport, CA 95451

www.leonardisorganics.com

Morgan Valley Produce/Socora's Salsa

Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market; call for direct sales

PO Box 373, Lower Lake, CA 95457

994-5043

www.socorassalsa.com

Renker Farms

Open June 15 – Nov. 30, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily

2297 Argonaut Road

PO Box 102, Kelseyville, CA 95451

279-4409

Seely's Farm Stand

Open Memorial Day Weekend - Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. - 6p.m. daily

80 E Highway 20, Upper Lake, CA 95485

275-0525

Sky Hoyt Specialty Grower

Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market; call for direct sales

Lakeport, CA 95453

279-0859

Sutton Family Farm

Open May - December, hours and days vary by season

2405 Scotts Valley Road, Lakeport, CA 95453

263-6277

Yerba Santa Dairy

Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market; call for direct sales

PO Box 1048, Lakeport, CA 95453

263-8131

www.cuesa.org/markets/farmers/farm_10.php

Yoxagoi Orchards/The Purple Pear

Available at the Kelseyville Certified Farmers' Market; call for farm stand hours of operation

3545 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport, CA 95453

PO Box 838, Kelseyville, CA 95451

279-4949

 

For a complete list of local farms and markets offering fresh Lake County products, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at 800-525-3743 to request your copy of the Lake County Farm Trails brochure. For general visitor information visit www.lakecounty.com.

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