Food lovers who have fallen in love with the romance of life on a family farm will be inspired to venture a little bit further north to explore California's newest farm trail, the Sierra Oro Farm Trail.
OROVILLE, California — Food lovers who have fallen in love with the romance of life on a family farm will be inspired to venture a little bit further north to explore California's newest farm trail, the Sierra Oro Farm Trail.
Specialty farmers in Butte County have joined together to launch the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Map, highlighting this "less traveled" region of California that has a history as rich as its soil.
Travelers on the Sierra Oro Farm Trail will delight at the almond groves, olive orchards, and produce farms -- among many others -- that dominate agriculture in Butte County. And the best part about this farm trail is the opportunity to meet and interact with the farmers themselves.
"Cuisine, scenery and education are three of the top reasons for travel in California. The goal of designing a farm trail map was to allow Butte County farmers who love what they farm and where they farm to meet travelers' expectations," said Jamie Johansson, the owner/farmer of Lodestar Olive Oil who sought something new and different to promote his own farm and others in the area. "The Sierra Oro Farm Trail is designed as a culinary story told by family farmers for local visitors."
The Sierra Oro Farm Trail begins one hour north of Sacramento, in a region of California nestled in the Northern Sierra Foothills and California's Gold Country. The combination of these two distinct elements of the area's landscape and history is how the name "Sierra Oro" originated, said Johansson.
According to the California Department of Tourism "day trippers" will travel approximately two hours to their destination, and travelers staying over night will travel three to four hours. "The Sierra Oro Farm Trail is a perfect distance to reach Sacramento and Bay Area travelers looking to discover a new adventure in Northern California.
"The Sierra Oro Farm Trail is manageable and is easily covered in a weekend," said Heather Quilici, whose family owns Quilici Vineyards. Quilici worked with Johansson to develop the map.
The first edition of the map features 10 specialty farms and five wineries. In addition to farm tastings and tours, the map also highlights local tourist attractions, historic landmarks, hotels and fine dining.
The map is easy to navigate and user friendly. For those who have less experience navigating country back roads, it offers a detailed view of directions to each individual farm.
Farm Trail Stops include: Black Crow Grill and Taproom, Book Family Farm, Butte View Olive Company, California Olive Ranch, Chafin Orchards, Golden West Nuts, Goodman Bed & Breakfast, Grey Fox Winery, Hanson Orchards, Hotel Diamond, Johnnie's Restaurant and Lounge, LaRocca Vineyards, Lavender Legacy, Lodestar Farms, Long Creek Winery, Maisie Jane's, Mountain View Christmas Tree Farm, Noble Orchards, Odyssey Winery and Vineyards, Quilici Vineyards, Red Tavern, Riverside Bed & Breakfast and Wagon Wheel Market.
The Sierra Farm Trail Map is available at the Chico Chamber of Commerce, Oroville Chamber of Commerce, local Tri Counties Bank branches and the Diamond Hotel in Historic Downtown Chico and at all locations displayed on the map.
For more information about the Sierra Oro Farm Trail, visit www.sierraoro.org.
Source: Business Wire, Sierra Oro Farm Trail
