Yolo Land Trust holds annual A Day in the Country event

The event celebrates the county’s bountiful agriculture

Fron left, Yolo Land Trust staff and board members Liz Heckles, Melissa Harlan and Michele Clark greet guests as they arrive Sunday, Sept. 25 at River Gardens Farms in Knights Landing.

Guest enjoys a taste of Yolo County wine.

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By Gerardo Zavala

gzavala@dailydemocrat.com

The Yolo Land Trust celebrated Yolo County’s agriculture during its annual A Day in the Country event Sunday, Sept. 25 at the historic River Garden Farms in Knights Landing.

“A Day in the Country is a farm-to-fork tasting experience of delicious food sourced from Yolo County farms and ranches, prepared to perfection by local chefs from noteworthy restaurants in Sacramento and Yolo County,” a Yolo Land Trust press release stated.

Yolo Land Trust was founded in 1988 with the mission of conserving farmland in the county.

Since then, it has permanently conserved over 12,680 farmland acres on over 75 farms throughout the county.

This year marked the 33rd anniversary of the Yolo Land Trust’s signature farm-to-fork fundraiser and involved eight of the region’s top chefs who prepared dishes using the freshest seasonal ingredients from Yolo County farms and ranches, according to the release.

“Yolo Land Trust partners with PaulMuller of Full Belly Farm and Tracy Harding of Capay Valley Farm Shop to source the ingredients needed by each chef and to deliver each unique selection directly to the chef,” the release added. “The event is a favorite among the region’s chefs, many returning year after year.”

Full Belly Farm is a 400-acre certified organic farm that has been in business since the 1980s. It grows 80 kinds of crops year-round including almonds, corn, tomatoes, figs and winter squash.

To learn more about the farm, visit fullbellyfarm.com.

The Capay Valley Farm Shop is a farmer and community-owned food hub that allows businesses to conveniently source food from 40 small and mid-scale sustainable family farms in the region, according to its website.

“We are proud to offer a wide diversity of the highest quality vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, nuts, grains, meats, olive oils, pastured eggs, honey and more from Capay Valley farmers and ranchers,” its website highlighted.

Visit capayvalleyfarmshop.com to learn more.

Restaurants from Yolo County attending the event included Kitchen 428, Osteria Fasulo and Savory Café.

“Additionally, Yolo county wineries and breweries poured tastings of wine, beer and cider, and other local businesses provided tastings of honey, popsicles, tomatoes and more,” the release noted.

The Land Trust added that “it was a true celebration of the abundance of Yolo County agriculture” and recognized that agriculture plays an important role in the county’s economy and quality of life.

“Yolo Land Trust is grateful for the outpouring of support we received for A Day in the Country from everyone — sponsors, ticket purchasers, chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries, farms and community volunteers,” the release emphasized.

“The event was a great success and provides Yolo Land Trust with significant funds to continue our important work of conserving farms and ranches is Yolo County.

To learn more about Yolo Land Trust, visit theyololandtrust.org.