Farm Trails event showcases local bounty

Double 8 Dairy is among 35 Petaluma and Sonoma County agricultural producers on display April 30 and May 1 for “Blossoms, Bees and Barnyard Babies” event.|

Most Petalumans may not be aware that the rolling hills just outside the city serve as a home to a thriving water buffalo dairy that churns out milk used in several hundred gallons of gelato each week. This weekend, however, a Farm Trails event will provide the opportunity to take an in-depth look at the Bloomfield operation, as well as about 30 other Sonoma County farms.

Double 8 Dairy, located on 180 acres at the former St. Anthony’s Farm dairy facilities, is home to about 100 water buffalo that produce milk for gelato and soft serve that’s made its way into eateries across Marin and Sonoma counties, also scoring a place in East Bay and San Francisco stores and restaurants.

Founded in 2012 by Andrew Zlot, who saw a market for making the oft-imported Mozzarella di Bufala in California, the business has since focused all its efforts on the steady market for gelato, though Zlot said he has plans to work with a family from southern Italy to create the cheese this fall. Zlot said the biggest challenge has been getting consumers to try the product, which he said has proved to be a feat despite the fact the milk is used frequently in other cultures.

Zlot is eager to showcase the unique dairy he co-owns as well as more than a dozen water buffalo calves at the “Blossoms, Bees and Barnyard Babies” spring Farm Trails event, which gives the public a passport to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into daily life on about a dozen farms, wineries and eateries across the greater Petaluma area from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 and May 1.

“It’s a chance for people to come out and see firsthand what we’re doing … and build up a positive association with the beautiful friendly farm animals that make delicious ice cream,” he said. “I get it. Seeing is believing.”

The tour showcases local producers like Tara Firma Farms, which offers tours of the land and chances to see chicks, piglets, laying hens, cows and goats; Lavender Bee Farm, where participants can learn about the art of beekeeping; and Petaluma Pie Company, which will offer free samples of locally-sourced treats.

Other activities at locations such as Petaluma Seed Bank, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, Artful Arrangement and Lala’s Urban Farm Stand includes demonstrations on wool processing, cooking and flower arranging as well as farm tours, crafts and tastings of honey, cheese, wine, jams and juices, with farm stands open for visitors to purchase goods. Most stops are free, though some farms, such as Double 8 Dairy, are only open to the public for a single day. Carpooling is encouraged, and an RSVP at http://bit.ly/22RNFM3 is requested.

With about 200 members, Farm Trails helps support local farmers and artisans, bringing awareness to producers who make their livelihood growing goods that fuel the booming farm-to-table movement. Farm Trails Executive Director Carmen Snyder said the upcoming event helps people understand where their food comes from while letting them interact with the farmers who cultivate it.

“It enriches the understanding of the local food system we’re all part of even more than a farmers market does,” she said. “When you get out onto a farm, there’s a whole other level of transparency and connectivity. People get a chance to see all the equipment that goes into farming and get to see animals and how they’re managed and even look at the different soils and micro climates and the abundance and diversity of what’s bring grown in Sonoma County.”

She encouraged people to take advantage of the opportunity to see family-operated farms that are usually closed to the public.

“It’s a really unique and rich experience to travel around the county to see what life on the farm is like these days,” she said.

Since its founding in 1973, the Sebastopol-based nonprofit has served as a way to connect farmers to the public and promote the economic vitality of the agricultural industry in Sonoma County.

(Contact Hannah Beausang at hannah.beausang@arguscourier.com. On Twitter @hannahbeausang.)

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