Alameda County Fair’s ‘fields of gratitude’ display honors local agricultural heritage
Featuring seven local farmers, ranchers and nonprofit leaders, the "Fields of Gratitude, Thank a Farmer" project is designed to educate the public and connect to the fair's ag-centric roots, which goes back to 1912 when the event first debuted in Pleasanton.
Those featured include Acta Non Verba , The Edible Schoolyard Project , Almanac Beer Co. , Koopmann Family Beef , 3 Calhoun Sisters' Ranch , McGrail Vineyard and Happy Acre Farm .
Kelly Carlisle, Acta Non Verba founder and executive director, explained that her nonprofit organization has four urban farms in Oakland that are run by underserved youth, ages 5 to 25, who plant, harvest and sell the produce that they grow. Carlisle further noted 100% of the profits they earn are placed into savings accounts that can only be used for educational purposes.
"Our work is primarily to improve the quality of life for youth and their families across Oakland through urban farming," Carlisle said. "Our impact is that kids learn not only where food comes from but what it takes to grow it and principles around growing organically and sustainability, as well as nutrition and the outdoors."
The Edible Schoolyard Project's nonprofit mission is to transform public education by using organic school gardens, kitchens and cafeterias to teach the value of nourishment, stewardship and community. Almanac Beer Co., a beer brewery, got its humble start in 2011 and has since established a production and barrel aging facility at the historic naval air base on Alameda Island.
Koopmann Family Beef is run by a cattle ranching family that first began homesteading in Dublin in 1889. Another family-owned business, McGrail Vineyards is nestled in the heart of Livermore's Wine Country. Happy Acre Farm is based in Sunol where husband and wife owners Matthew and Helena Sylvester, both originally from Oakland, run a farm that partners with local restaurants to provide fresh produce.
Three sisters — Susie Calhoun, Merry Calhoun Carter and Nancy Calhoun Mueller — own the 3 Calhoun Sisters' Ranch, based in Livermore. Their family has been ranching and farming on Mines Road for more than 100 years.
"Our hope is that we can become a fully sustainable ranch and also help other farmers and ranchers move toward a more regenerative model."
Nancy Calhoun Mueller, 3 Calhoun Sisters' RanchThe sisters have partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Water Resources to implement a carbon farming and healthy soils project under the guidance of Alameda County Resource Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service.
"Our hope is that we can become a fully sustainable ranch and also help other farmers and ranchers move toward a more regenerative model," said Nancy Calhoun Mueller.
