LAKE COUNTY FARMSTANDS AND FARMERS MARKETS -- 2012

Californias

Lake County
www.lakecounty.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- June 5, 2012

CONTACT: Jennifer Hammond Lake County Marketing Program (707) 263-2580 jennifer.hammond@lakecountyca.gov

LAKE COUNTY FARM STANDS AND FARMERS MARKETS OPEN FOR THE 2012 SEASON

Lake County, CA Savor the flavors of Lake County produce and farm fresh products as farm stands and farmers markets open for the 2012 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 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 helps support the entire community and allows you to receive fresh, wholesome, and locally-grown produce.

An eye-catching harvest display, like this one last fall, makes Seely Farm Stand in Upper Lake a pleasant stop for locally grown produce and goodies plus a great photo op. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., June 15 through mid-November. 80 East Highway 20, Upper Lake.

Californias

CONTACT:
Debra Sommerfield Lake County Marketing & Economic Development Program (707) 263-2580 debra.sommerfield@lakecountyca.gov

Lake County

According to the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), farmers today get www.lakecounty.com less than 10 cents of the retail food dollar. Local farmers who sell directly to consumers FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -June 7, 2012 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 Seely Farm Stand opens for summer with local produce and farming heritage the county.
Upper Lake, CA Seely Farm Stand is set to open for the summer season on Friday, June 15, 2012,

The following sources offer Lake County-grown produce for purchase directly from the to offer fresh local fruit and produce as they have done since 1976. With its convenient location on Highway 20 in Upper Lake and its eye-catching seasonal produce displays, the family-run operation farmer: Lake County Farmers Finest Certified Farmers Markets At Steele Wines, 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. noon, May through October At Library Park, 222 Park Street, Lakeport Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., June through September www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org Friday Nite Farmers Market At Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m., June through October www.clearlakechamber.com Seelys Farm Stand Featuring locally grown fruits including pears, peaches, and apples; large variety of local seasonal produce, fresh cut flowers, pumpkins, gourds, decorative corn and cornstalks; and locally produced products: salsa, honey, jams, jellies, and cheese. Open June through November, 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. daily. 80 E. Hwy 20, Upper Lake, CA 95485 (707) 275-0525 For a more detailed list of local farms and markets offering fresh Lake County products, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at (800) 525-3743 or to request a copy of the Lake County Farm Trails Discovery map. One of Californias hottest new wine destinations, Lake County is just two hours by car from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, and Pacific Coast. Lake County is home to Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in California and one of the oldest lakes on the continent, and Mount Konocti, an ancient volcano that recently opened to offer one of the newest day hikes in the state. Visit Lake County to enjoy the states cleanest air, spectacular scenic beauty, and unsurpassed recreation hiking, biking, wine tasting, paddling, fishing, birding, golfing, off-road adventures, and even rockhounding.
has become something akin to a landmark to local residents and a welcome stop for Lake County visitors and those making the journey from the Sacramento Valley to the Pacific Coast. It was 36 years ago when Ed Seely first opened the popular roadside farm stand as a way to sell surplus Bartlett pears from his orchards during the month of August, subsequently growing it to include pears, peaches, apples, melons, and all sorts of summer vegetables. With an eye toward supplying premium fruit and produce and maximizing quality and freshness, picking is done in the cool of the morning to capture the best flavors of each of the crops. They custom pick only the largest and sweetest pears, peaches, apples, and summer produce from their orchards and fields, and confidently stand behind all they grow and sell. Over the past several years, Seelys daughter, Colleen Rentsch, has worked to expand the farm stands offerings at the request of their customers. Today, in addition to Seely Farm products, the farm stand also is an outlet for other local producers, showcasing many of Lake Countys finest farm products. Customers can select from an array of locally grown and made items including produce, honey, jams and jellies, salsa, artisan breads, and goat cheese. A Lake County treasure The Seely family is a founding participant of Farm to School, a program that provides fruit and produce to many of the local school districts. The program is designed to improve freshness and nutrition of school meals to help lower childhood obesity rates while also helping young people understand where their food comes from through direct connections to local farmers. Rentsch and Michelle Malm, Kelseyville Unified Food Services Director, together have been recognized for their innovation in the Farm to School program. In May 2012, they were awarded a Star of Lake County for their contributions, and last November, were featured nationally in a segment on The Early Show on CBS News. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through mid-November, Seely Farm Stand is located at 80 East Highway 20 in Upper Lake, just onequarter mile east of the intersection with Highway 29. For more information, go online: www.seelyfarmstand.com ###

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Colleen Rentsch, pictured here with bountiful bunches of locally grown carrots at her familys Seely Farm Stand, is one of the founding participants in the local Farm to School program, which helps improve childrens access to healthy food. The program was featured in November on The Early Show on CBS News. To view the segment, go online to: www.seelyfarmstand.com

FRESH, DELICIOUS, AND LOCAL -- LAKE COUNTY FARMERS WELCOME YOU!!!

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July 2012 Page 15