We’re grateful to our Farm Trails members and local farmers, ranchers, ag educators, chefs, and advocates for joining us at this year’s Fair.
Ali and Warren Mann
Sunday at 3:45 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Mini Music Singalong with Ali & Warren Mann
Local husband and wife musician team, Ali and Warren Mann are the creators of Mini Music – award winning Bay Area music program for families with young children. Singing both original and traditional family music.
Betsy Fischer
Retired Chair/Instructor, SRJC Culinary Arts Department
Sunday at 11:30 am
Apple Pie Baking Contest
Betsy Fischer is a seasoned hospitality professional whose career spans restaurant management
and consulting, food, wine and hospitality education, event planning, career coaching, and
leadership of non-profit food and wine trade associations. She served as Executive Director of
both Sonoma County Farm Trails and the Restaurant Association of the Redwood Empire, as an
advisor with the Small Business Development Center, and for two decades entertained and
educated audiences as a “food and wine comedienne” at corporate conferences and retreats.
and consulting, food, wine and hospitality education, event planning, career coaching, and
leadership of non-profit food and wine trade associations. She served as Executive Director of
both Sonoma County Farm Trails and the Restaurant Association of the Redwood Empire, as an
advisor with the Small Business Development Center, and for two decades entertained and
educated audiences as a “food and wine comedienne” at corporate conferences and retreats.
From 2000 to 2008, Betsy conceived of, owned and operated Hospitality Works, focusing on
employee recruitment, training, and organizational development for hospitality businesses.
Recently retired as the chair/instructor of the Santa Rosa Junior College Culinary Arts program,
Betsy supported students’ professional growth and industry connections as the founder of the
SRJC Culinary Career Center. Her greatest joy in her teaching career of over 26 years has been
helping aspiring chefs, bakers, sommeliers, and restaurateurs discover the world of food,
beverage, and hospitality — and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in their
careers.
Brian Griffith
MC, KRCB
Brian Griffith is the music director of KRCB 104.9. He has been a radio mainstay in Sonoma County for 20 years.
Caiti Hachmyer
Farmer, Educator, Activist, Red H Farm, Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Food
Sunday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Women in Agriculture Panel moderated by Clark Wolf
Caiti Hachmyer is a farmer, educator, activist and public academic. She founded Red H Farm in 2009. Caiti has an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Conservation Resource Studies from UC Berkeley and a graduate degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University.
In addition to building an agroecological farm landscape, she is currently launching the Center for Just + Resilient Food Systems at Sonoma State University where she has been teaching Agroecology for ten years. She is the co-director of Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Food, a contract researcher and writer, and an educator with Agroecology Commons. In 2021 she was awarded Farm Advocate of the Year at the CA Small Farms Conference for her work supporting women in food. Caiti has been acknowledged by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and by American Farmland Trust for her leadership in agroecological farming. She is a published writer, having contributed chapters to two separate books – “Notes from a New Farmer: Rent Culture, Insecurity and the Need for Change,” in Land Justice: Re-imagining Food, Land and the Commons in the United States (Food First Books) and “The Role of Land Rights in Social Transformation: Stories from Boston and Philadelphia” in Public Policies for Food Sovereignty: Social Movements and the State (Routledge). She has also published a piece in Civil Eats on the lived experience of climate change at Red H Farm and has a forthcoming essay in their Farming 250 series.
Clark Wolf
Consultant, author, editor, columnist & radio host, Clark Wolf Company
Sunday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Women in Agriculture Panel moderated by Clark Wolf
Saturday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Great Gravenstein Bake Off
Sunday at 11:30 am
Apple Pie Baking Contest
Clark Wolf is a James Beard Award winning specialty foods, restaurant and hospitality consultant, author, editor and columnist. He is host of At The Table with Clark Wolf on KSRO, a weekly regular on 95.5 The Drive on Wine Country Radio and hosts Savoring Sonoma, on KRCB, Sonoma County’s NPR station. He lives in a 120 year old cabin in the redwoods and goes to a lot of farmers markets. His website is www.clarkwolfcompany.com
Daniel Kedan
Culinary Chef Instructor , Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
Saturday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Great Gravenstein Bake Off
Greystone alum Chef Daniel Kedan’s culinary journey has come full circle at the Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone Campus. Among the first students to graduate from the campus’s acclaimed Culinary Arts degree program, he now inspires the next generation of chefs as a Culinary Chef Instructor. As a proud member of CIA Greystone’s inaugural Associate Degree class in 2006, Daniel combines a deep respect for local ingredients, sustainable practices, and technical mastery in his teaching.
Inspired by his first kitchen job in 1997, Chef Daniel quickly climbed the ranks to a pivotal role as Sous Chef at Il Palio in Connecticut. Chef Daniel’s passion for the culinary arts had become unstoppable. In 2006, his thirst for knowledge led him to Europe, where the flavors of France, Italy, and Germany solidified his commitment to the craft. After enrolling at the CIA, he joined Thomas Keller’s opening team at Ad Hoc in Yountville, spending three formative years honing his skills and learning the art of ingredient-driven, technique focused cuisine.
Daniel spent the next years evolving his skills while gaining diverse knowledge. He worked his way through the levels of management in restaurants throughout Napa Valley and Sonoma County. His passion for farm driven ingredients and supporting the local community continues to the inspiration.
In 2012, Chef Daniel and his favorite pastry chef, now wife, Marianna Gardenhire, launched Backyard, a celebrated true farm-to-table restaurant in Sonoma County. Known for its commitment to the community, the menu was fully comprised of local farms, ranchers and artisans highlighting the bounty of Sonoma County. A technical but casual cuisine that featured house made pastas, charcuterie, fermentation and hyper-seasonal menus, Backyard has earned nine consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand distinctions and Slow Food’s Snail of Approval. Their commitment to sustainability grew further with the creation of Bee Run Hollow, an organic farm producing heirloom crops, honey, eggs, and more through regenerative practices.
Since returning to CIA Greystone in 2019, Chef Daniel has shared his expertise and passion in restaurant operations, fabrication, and the Farm-to-Table concentration of the bachelor’s program. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as he champions sustainable agriculture and community engagement. Recognized for his contributions, Daniel received Norcal Public Media’s Food and Wine Award in 2024 for his advocacy of local food systems.
With an unwavering dedication to culinary excellence and sustainability, Daniel Kedan continues to shape the future of food—one chef, one farm, and one plate at a time.
David Klein
Co-Founder / Head Distiller, Ambix Spirits
Sunday at 12:00 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Home Cidermaking with David Klein of Ambix Spirits
David Klein is the co-founder and head distiller at Ambix Spirits. David and his wife Zoe have been making cider at home (as well as beer, wine, mead and more) for over 35 years as well as judging in competitions and helping others get stated. In 2019 David and Zoe turned their passion into a business and started Ambix Spirits, a Sebastopol apple brandy distillery where they grow over 300 different varieties of apples and produce local craft cider and brandy.
ABOUT HIS PRESENTATION
Turn your backyard apples into a unique craft cider! Ever since apples were brought to the Americas, home made cider has been a staple of the American diet and you can easily make your own amazing craft cider from backyard and farmers market apples. In this demonstration we will walk you through each step of the process from selecting apples, to juicing, fermenting, bottling and how to evaluate and enjoy your creation. We will share local resources to help you along the journey and you will leave fully prepared to start making your own cider.
Dawn Zaft
Owner/Baker, Criminal Baking
Saturday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Great Gravenstein Bake Off
Mom, herbalist, and entrepreneur, Dawn Zaft established Criminal Baking Company in 2012 and developed it over the last 13 years into a beloved, community-minded business tucked away in the Historical West End Neighborhood of Santa Rosa.
Starting as a solo project in her home kitchen, Criminal now employs about 15 people and operates as a cafe, bakery, brunch restaurant, and catering company. It is ever evolving and growing, providing cakes, pies, savory and sweet pastries with a vast array of gluten-free and vegan options. The catering division provides boxed breakfasts and lunches, family style salads, dessert bars, and more. Criminal Baking Co. prioritizes its community partnerships with mindful suppliers and loves working with the many people and organizations that make Sonoma County wonderful.
Donna del Rey
Owner, Relish Culinary Adventures
Sunday at 11:30 am
Apple Pie Baking Contest
Donna del Rey created Relish Culinary Adventures in 2003 to share the flavors and personalities of Sonoma County with others. Relish is a unique event business that brings together talented chefs/instructors and exquisite cuisine at captivating rural locations, creating unforgettable cooking experiences, culinary excursions and creative events. “A Relish event is so much more than a class,” says Donna. “We find the intersection between ingredients, instructors and locations to create convivial culinary adventures with the goal of inspiring guests to create great food in their own kitchens.”
Doug Jayne
MC, KRCB
Doug Jayne has worked at KRCB 104.9 FM since 1996, and currently hosts Midday Music.
Doug is co-owner of The Next Record Store in Santa Rosa and is celebrating 40 years of business in Sonoma County.
Erin Hillmer & Jen Koelemeijer
Owners, Gather Sebastopol
Saturday at 12:00 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Apple Pie Filling & Canning with Erin Hillmer & Jen Koelemeijer of Gather Sebastopol
Erin and Jen are co-owners of Gather Sebastopol, a curated retail and hands-on learning space dedicated to the practical arts. Rooted in craft, community, and intentional sustainable living, we offer heirloom-quality tools, thoughtfully chosen goods, and workshops centered on gardening, preservation and fermentation, home and kitchen skills, and fiber arts.
Evan Wiig
Director of Membership & Communications, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)
Agrarian Games
Evan Wiig is an advocate for small farms and sustainable agriculture as part of Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF). When he’s not fighting for fair food and farm policy, he’s wrangling hay bales, lassoing stray kids, and training piglets for the races each year at the Agrarian Games.
Geneva Melby
Chef, Co-Owner, The Redwood
Saturday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Great Gravenstein Bake Off
Geneva Melby is the chef and co-owner of The Redwood in Sebastopol, where her lifelong love of cooking and feeding people comes to life in every dish. A seasoned chef with a career spanning acclaimed kitchens in Seattle, Spain, and California’s wine country, Geneva brings a thoughtful, global perspective to her locally rooted cuisine. Her deep passion for hospitality goes beyond the plate—The Redwood is not just a restaurant, but a hub for connection, creativity, and community. Through her work, Geneva is dedicated to building a space where food brings people together and where local culture and ingredients shine.
Ginny Nichols
Master Gardener, UCCE Sonoma County
Sunday at 3:00 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Backyard Apple Tree Care with Ginny Nichols & Jeff Pierce of UC Master Gardeners
A lifelong gardener since childhood Ginny joined the Sonoma County Master Gardeners (MG) program with the Class of 2022. A founding member of the Fruit Tree Study Group within the MG, Ginny cultivates Fruit Trees, South African, Australian and California natives in her coastal garden. Garden design, creating art and teaching pruning are her particular focuses. Ginny runs Nichols Design, an art and garden design company.
Hanna Chort
Owner, The Wool Witch
Hanna Chort is a fiber artist, natural dyer, and weaver based in Sonoma County. Through her business, The Wool Witch, she creates handwoven wool rugs, naturally dyed textiles, and botanical color studies using flowers, leaves, and plants grown and gathered locally. Her work celebrates the ancient relationship between plants, fiber, and craft, transforming seasonal harvests into lasting color.
Inspired by traditional textile arts and the rhythms of the natural world, Hanna is passionate about sharing the magic and science of natural dyeing with others. Whether teaching workshops, weaving on a floor loom, or experimenting with garden-grown dye plants, she seeks to connect people to the beauty and abundance found in everyday materials.
Hanna will demonstrate the process of natural dyeing and explore how common flowers and plants can be used to create a rich palette of colors on natural fibers.
Jeff Pierce
Master Gardener, UCCE Sonoma County
Sunday at 3:00 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Backyard Apple Tree Care with Ginny Nichols & Jeff Pierce of UC Master Gardeners
Dr. Jeff Pierce is a family and lifestyle medicine physician that believes in the healing power of growing an edible garden. From eating nutrient-rich food, to the daily physical activity, to the health benefits of stress reduction, time in nature, and connection with others, he loves spreading the scientific research that shows how healthy growing some of our own food can be. He and his family grow the majority of their fruit and vegetables in their urban garden in Santa Rosa.
Karen Norman-Boudreau
Owner, Munchkin Meadows Ranch
Saturday at 4:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Sheep Shearing Demo and Fiber Talk with Paul Vosseler & Karen Norman-Boudreau of Munchkin Meadows Ranch
Sunday at 4:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Sheep Shearing Demo and Fiber Talk with Paul Vosseler & Karen Norman-Boudreau of Munchkin Meadows Ranch
We moved to Sonoma Co. in 1980 to finish my graduate work at the Bodega Marine Lab. Having grown up in the concrete jungle that is LA county, I immediately starting filling my life with animals. Now my kids are grown and my neighbors have provided me with 8 acres of pastures and barns to use.
I have worked my way through the livestock choices but found myself attracted to Shetland Sheep because they are small and loving creatures and easy to care for. This particular breed has multi-uses and retained many of its original features (hardiness, good mothers, and disease resistant). They are what is know as an unimproved breed. My flock and I are always learning from each other.
Lisa Rose
Farmer, Owner, She Dreams Farm
Saturday at 3:45 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
All About Sunflowers with Lisa Rose of She Dreams Farm
Melissa McGaughey
Co-wner/Baker/Chef, Quail and Condor, Troubadour
Saturday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Great Gravenstein Bake Off
Melissa began baking at seven years old with her grandmother. That interest grew with her through graduating pastry school, working in the best restaurants in Denver, to opening her first bakery in Denver at age 23 and finally moving across the country twice to direct large pastry programs on the East and West Coasts for some of the leading names in the baking industry: Bien Cuit (New York) and Gjusta (Los Angeles).
Since moving to Northern California, she has worked at SingleThread as the hotel baker and had baked bread for multiple farmers markets, hotels and wineries.
During the pandemic she and her husband Sean began a “Porch Pick Up” from their home in Healdsburg, driving community gathering in a safe system. Their popularity created giant lines snaking through the Healdsburg Farmers market in 2019. In 2020, the couple bootstrapped the now Quail & Condor retail bakery, where they focus on both the guest and employee experience. Educating both the guest and team on high-level technique, sustainable sourcing & production, and philanthropic projects.
We believe that high-quality ingredients are the foundation of exceptional baked goods. That’s why we source the finest local and organic ingredients whenever possible, supporting local farmers and suppliers we’ve met on our culinary journey. We are committed to using sustainable practices in our operations, minimizing waste, and reducing our environmental impact.
At Quail and Condor bakery in Healdsburg, we are dedicated to the craft of baking and the commitment of serving excellence to our community. Our team of skilled bakers and pastry chefs are passionate about their craft and bring their expertise and creativity to every product we offer. They also run Troubadour in Healdsburg, which earned a Michelin star in 2026.
Michele Wimborough
Owner/Chef/Baker, Hazel Restaurant
Saturday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Great Gravenstein Bake Off
After a few years and lots of odd jobs, Michele Wimborough discovered her true passion in baking. After attending the pastry program at Tante Marie is San Francisco, she honed her skills in San Francisco & Berkeley before setting out on her own. For the last nine years, she’s been the co-owner (with her husband, Jim) of Hazel in Occidental. Her love of pie runs deep – featuring a new #fridaypieday each week. One of her proudest moments was placing 1st in the Gravenstein Apple Fair contest in 2019.
Michelle Marques
MC, KRCB
Emcee, Farm Bureau Arena
Michelle Marques is a radio personality who has worked at various stations in Sonoma County since 2003, and is currently a radio host and content producer at KRCB 104.9FM. She also hosts The 707, a weekly show and podcast on Fridays at 6pm about the North Bay, and a two hour free form music program on KRCB called Connections, every Thursday night from 7pm to 9pm.
Paul Vosseler
Sheep Shearer
Saturday at 4:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Sheep Shearing Demo and Fiber Talk with Paul Vosseler & Karen Norman-Boudreau of Munchkin Meadows Ranch
Sunday at 4:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Sheep Shearing Demo and Fiber Talk with Paul Vosseler & Karen Norman-Boudreau of Munchkin Meadows Ranch
Paul Vosseler is a longtime Sonoma County sheep shearer.
Randi Black
Dairy Advisor, UCCE Sonoma County
Sunday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Women in Agriculture Panel moderated by Clark Wolf
Randi Black is a Dairy Advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County, supporting dairy producers with practical, research-based solutions. Her work focuses on advancing climate-smart agriculture, improving herd health, and strengthening the economic resilience of dairy operations. Randi collaborates closely with farmers, industry partners, and researchers to translate science into on-farm results. She is passionate about helping producers navigate evolving environmental and regulatory challenges while maintaining productive, sustainable operations.
Sarah Keiser
Community Builder, Wild Oat Hollow
Sunday at 1:30 pm — Farm Bureau Arena
Women in Agriculture Panel moderated by Clark Wolf
Sarah Keiser is an innovative community builder. Through her vision and leadership, she develops and implements community grazing cooperatives and collaborative land stewardship projects for more resilient communities, municipalities and regions.
Under the banner Wild Oat Hollow, LLC, Sarah’s community-based, sustainable land stewarding concepts empower private landowners and public entities with the skills and support to use grazing ruminants, planned burns and community education to steward their land and commons to a healthy fire ecosystem.
As we continue to see large, annual wildfires in California and throughout the west, Sarah has expanded her collaboration to policy makers, fire marshals, Cafire, RCDs, NRCS, UCCE and Indigenous Fire Ecologists to build out regional land stewardship projects.
Scott Bice
Farm Manager, Redwood Hill Farm – Capracopia
Saturday at 11:00 am — Farm Bureau Arena
Goat Milking Demo with Scott Bice of Redwood Hill Farm-Capracopia
Scott Bice is the Farm Manager of Redwood Hill Farm – Capracopia in Sebastopol, California. The Bice family have been raising dairy goats in Sebastopol for over 50 years and have been pioneers in bringing delicious goat milk products to people throughout the country.
While Redwood Hill symbolizes goats, Capracopia Farm symbolizes the new diverse farm being managed here in Sonoma County. The Bice family have a diverse fruit orchard with Gravenstein apples, Pluots, and olives for oil. Capracopia Farm also has a half-acre flower field and you can find their roadside stand out on Thomas Rd. Capracopia is also helping to bring hop production back to Sonoma County and supplies multiple Sonoma County breweries with fresh hops being used to make seasonal wet hops beers. You can reserve farm tours on their website.
Walt Hays
Walt moved to Sebastopol in 2002 to teach at the high school. That first summer he competed in and won the apple juggling contest at the fair. Nearly 10 years ago he started volunteering at the fair to run the juggling contests, and the fun continues.
