Who better to speak with about all things small and family farming than Evan Wiig, Director of Membership and Communications for CAFF? That stands for Community Alliance with Family Farmers. Join host Clark Wolf as they dig into the history of the organization and the movement, what’s been happening and what might be next. This California organization is benchmark and model for other groups across the country and around the world. It’s about our food! Savoring Sonoma: The Hour, every second and fourth Sunday at 6:00 pm on Sonoma County's NPR station KRCB 104.9. Streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

Photo credit: Katrin Bjork Sara B. Franklin is a writer, teacher and oral historian. She holds a PhD in Food Studies from New York University, is the editor of Edna Lewis: At The Table With An American Original and the coauthor of The Phoenicia Diner Cookbook. Her latest book, The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America is gaining national acclaim. Franklin joins host Clark Wolf for an hour of rich exploration of her work, the world of editing, food, publishing and American culture. Savoring Sonoma: The Hour is heard every first and third Sunday at 6:00pm, on KRCB 104.9 .

Author Diana R. Chambers may have never meet famed TV chef Julia Child but that hasn’t stopped the Sebastopol writer from crafting an engaging, intriguing tale. Based on Child’s acknowledged role in America’s precursor to the CIA, Chambers builds a thrilling story of what might actually have been. The best selling tome is large on imagination and a perfect read for a wet and windy Winter’s Day. Join host Clark Wolf - who actually knew Julia and visited her in the South of France where some of the story takes place - as he and Chambers revel in the memory of an American and international icon.

Preeti Mistry is a powerhouse of activity. Chef, activist, restaurateur, podcaster, hear their interview with Clark Wolf on Savoring Sonoma: The Hour. Photo credit: Alanna Hale Preeti Mistry is a powerhouse of activity. Chef, activist, restaurateur, podcaster, when they pop up things really pop! Join host Clark Wolf as we learn about them coming from London, through Orlando, Pittsburg, and other adventures to the Bay Area and finally, we hope, to a small farm in Sebastopol. Eager to learn and share that learning, this is someone sharing their culture, and changing ours, through work, love and dedication.

Host Clark Wolf explores an inspiring food program at Gravenstein Elementary and Hillcrest Middle School From the gardens at Gravenstein Elementary School to the kitchen and more gardens at Hillcrest Middle School, host Clark Wolf speaks with teachers, parents, grant writers, a Superintendent, a Principal and a Business Official - most with multi generational and overlapping designations - and an inspiring 5th grader. All are part of an exciting food program born of family and educator dedication and based on the connection between climate and food with a healthy environment and delicious life. New grants and lively plans present great promise as nearly 1000 snacks and meals are served daily to West County students learning in what Luther Burbank called “the Eden of all the earth.” We hear from: Penn Goodman Alexis Grimm Mindy Marano Keri Pugno Vanessa Bird Dan Dexter Shawna Brumley Will Deeths, and Chuck Neidhoefer

Jim Reichardt ’s family started with a dozen ducks from Denmark, at their farm in San Francisco’s Mission District in 1901. The story of their movement around the City and then across the eventually built bridges is a huge part of the history of food in our legendary region. In 1992 Jim started his own farm to raise the sort of ducks chef’s outside of the traditional markets of Chinatown were beginning to seek. For all these years Jim and his fourth generation farm family have been thoughtfully caring for these coveted animals and playing their part in the low stress, open environment, no antibiotic or hormone raising year round (on straw litter). Listen in for a conversation with one of the finest farmers anywhere.

Tune in to enjoy a benchmark panel conversation recorded live at the 51st Annual Gravenstein Apple Fair. Right in the middle of the Life On The Farm section of the beloved gathering, under the old oaks at Ragel Ranch Park, host Clark Wolf guides the discussion amongst a stellar group exploring Protecting Diversity in Farming. From legendary chef/activist Alice Waters, farmers Elizabeth Kaiser, Sara Silva and Tucker Taylor, author/publisher/musician Dan Imhoff to award winning dairyman Albert Straus, the smart words and important thoughts offer lasting meaning to this annual celebration of so much we cherish.

Recently named Climate Smart Farmer of The Year by CAFF (Community Alliance of Family Farms), Sarah Silva and her mother Carol steward the 85 acre Green Star Farm. The pasture based livestock farm provides eggs, chicken, pork, lamb and goat from this idyllic spot in Western Sonoma County. On the cutting edge of regenerative farming, Silva sums it up thoughtfully: “Because some old ways to solve new problems is not mainstream agriculture, we constantly face unique challenges that are both educational and entertaining.” Listen in to learn more about this vibrant and inspiring farm and family.

Northern California Public Media

Dan Imhoff is a writer, author, publisher, activist and musician. Splitting his time between Sonoma County and Spain, he shares deeply informed perspectives on many topics relating to food, farming and public policy. His sense of commitment and curiosity, coupled with true creativity and a love of collaboration continues to produce fascinating and valuable work. Tune in as he shares his story with host Clark Wolf. Streaming and podcasting at KRCB 104.9 .

Northern California Public Media

Elizabeth Kaiser from Singing Frogs Farm joins host Clark Wolf and talks about just what it takes to farm for real. The trajectory that brought Elizabeth Kaiser to farming in Sonoma County makes for some fascinating recollections of a curious, hardworking and dedicated human being. With her husband Paul and a coterie of dedicated individuals, she works Singing Frogs Farm’s 8.8 acres just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 45 miles from San Francisco. Her knowledge and the clarity with which she communicates some pretty complicated information makes for a classic primer in thoughtful, no till, no spray regenerative farming that could be benchmark for anyone interested in doing things the very best way. Join host Clark Wolf as they talk about just what it takes to farm for real. Savoring Sonoma: The Hour streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

We wouldn’t usually post a "pledge drive" show to our archive but the folks who joined in our efforts to support KRCB and the good work of NPR are such wonderful and valuable members of our community that it just felt like something we should share. Up first, one of the original Cowgirls from the Creamery, Sue Conley. Then, it's MFK Fisher’s daughter Kennedy Golden, followed by the other original Cowgirl from the Creamery, Peg Smith. Finally, we chat with Farm Trails Executive Director Carmen Snyder. Everyone had a lot to say about why we do this work. We hope you enjoy this recording and consider donating, even when it’s not during one of our important seasonal drives. Thank you for your continued support of this program and KRCB.

Rogelio Garcia is the star chef, and Executive Chef of the two restaurants at Calistoga’s Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. One is an all day, indoor/outdoor sparkling perch called Truss. The other, sporting a Michelin Star, is called Auro. Rogelio Garcia is the star chef, and Executive Chef of the two restaurants at Calistoga’s Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. One is an all day, indoor/outdoor sparkling perch called Truss. The other, sporting a Michelin Star, is called Auro. Garcia, born in Mexico City, moved to California at 15 with his single mom, spending time in LA and Napa, and has worked his way through some of the region’s most celebrated and stellar kitchens, including Douglas Keane’s Cyrus, Thomas Keller’s French Laundry and Traci des Jardins’ The Commissary, among others. Today he’s a finalist for Best Chef California for the James Beard Awards, slated to be announced the day after this episode is scheduled to air. Host Clark Wolf speaks with the talented and excited chef about his evolution as a cook and chef and what’s it’s like to be in the company of some legendary culinary stars.

Two great story tellers are welcomed to Savoring Sonoma in this week’s episode. First it’s long time Press Democrat Columnist Chris Smith, talking about everything from multigenerational farm families to chatting up an emerging local food star called Guy Fieri long before the world knew his name. Then it’s a long distance chat with a master chronicler who travels the world in search of the very best bites, folks and cultures. It’s Phil Rosenthal, now in his 7 th season of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix. Host Clark Wolf will have the pleasure of moderating an appearance with the food phemom on the stage of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on June 6 th . Join us for this preview and some charming, heartwarming chat.

It’s hard to fathom that this effort to develop and establish Food Studies programs, and therefore an all new academic discipline, happened way back in 1996. Since that time some form of this good work has emerged all across the country. Some of the extraordinary people who pioneered and lead this good work have gathered their own writings and that of other smart folks and have produced a wonderful, important book, “Practicing Food Studies.” Today, you’ll hear directly from these educators and editors of the book: Amy Bentley, Fabio Parasecoli, and Krishnendu Ray, and, of course, from the powerhouse who made it all possible, Marion Nestle. Marion wrote the forward for the book.

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese has been in the making since 1959, when Bob and Dean Giacomini built their dairy farm off Tomales Bay to start making milk their livelihood. After expanding the heard into the mid 90’s it all became too stressful and so the family’s daughters returned home from various independent careers to begin producing what has become a collection of award winning cheeses. Patriarch Bob is joined in the studio by his daughter Jill Giacomini-Basch for an intimate and inspiring conversation about family, farming, and cheese. Jill is Co-CEO with her sister Lynn Giacomini-Stray.

In her work as a cultural anthropologist, Dr. Gail Myers noted the lack of support at all levels of government and industry for black farmers. In 2004, she co-founded Farms to Grow in Oakland, CA to work in partnership with African American farmers and other farmers of color to sustain their farms, and in collaboration with various grassroots and coalition-based organizations locally and globally. Dr. Myers joins host Clark Wolf for a lively, moving and inspiring conversation about all she does and all she hopes to achieve.

Join host Clark Wolf as he speaks with this year’s Grand Award for Outstanding Leadership recipient for the Second Annual NorCal Public Media Food and Wine Awards. The event will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Albert Straus is an industry pioneer and founder of Straus Family Creamery, the first 100% certified organic creamery in the U.S., and he’s changing the landscape of dairy farming in this country. The Dairy (farm) was started by his father Bill in 1941 and in 1994 under Albert’s management, it became the first certified organic Dairy west of the Mississippi. Listen in to learn about his work, the challenges facing farms and creameries today, plans for the future and his deep and abiding love of really great ice cream.

Jonathan Bravo is this week’s guest on Savoring Sonoma: The Hour, hosted by Clark Wolf. Bravo is the Bilingual Garden Specialist at Landpath’s Bayer Farm in the heart of Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood. More than 100 families tend their own community garden spots while some 16 different cultures and ethnicities are represented. We learn about the many outreach, educational and community gathering events and programs in this magical spot in a region of extraordinary bounty. Learn about Brovo’s journey from math and science teacher in Mexico to inspirational garden leader right here in our midst.

Join host Clark Wolf as he gets deep into lively conversation with Susan Gilmore, Founder and Executive Director of North Bay Children's Center. They talk about the power and importance of early education and experience with food, farm gardening, and nutrition, their NBCC's signature program Garden of Eatin' and so much more. Together they will be Co-Hosting this year's NorCal Public Media Food and Wine Awards, so listen in for a preview of that showcase celebration!

This week, as we’re Savoring Sonoma, we get to visit for the hour with Nick Schwanz and Spencer Scott of Solar Punk Farms , sitting just outside of Guerneville, on Armstrong Woods Road. They’ve founded and are growing a new kind of effort to offer positive, regenerative and uplifting options for living and community, not the sort of nihilistic, apocalyptic visions of those other punks, slam and steam. They’ve spent three years bringing the land back to life and now, with fiscal oversite sponsorship secured, are planning new efforts and events and brining folks to this beautiful nine plus acres that wander past the planted farm garden, across a meadow and up into the redwoods. It’s a lively and uplifting conversation.

This time on Savoring Sonoma: The Hour host Clark Wolf speak with two of the very special local folks who will be honored on March 30 th at the Second Annual NorCal Public Media Food and Wine Awards. First up is the indefatigable June Michaels, founder and powerhouse of Sonoma Food Runners. Their motto is Feed Bellies, Not Landfill. Here’s seems to be to eliminate waste while feeding, caring for and sharing with everyone. Then it’s Hector Alvarez of Hector’s Honey who shares his fascinating story of growing up farming, learning from his father, bee keeping, growing, surviving fire and drought and other natural surprises to bring us an extremely broad range of thoughtfully raised and delicious foods right out of our own precious earth.

From the new public garden behind the Phillip Johnson designed landmark 550 Madison Avenue in the middle of Manhattan, host Clark Wolf speaks with Wissam Kahi, co-founder of Eat Offbeat, a group that trains, employs and learns foodways with refugees and immigrants from all over the world. They sell those foods from a kiosk in that garden and a stall in Chelsea Market further downtown and have authored a collection of recipes in their book The Kitchen Without Borders . It’s a timely and powerful conversation. Then it’s a Zoom call with award winning author Anya von Bremzen about her new book National Dish: Around the World In Search Of Food , History and the Meaning of Home , a day after her return from across the world, as she continues her deep and thoughtful search for personal identity. From Paris to Naples, Tokyo, Seville, Oaxaca, Istanbul and her early life in Moscow, she takes us through how special foods become symbols, social forces and intrinsic to our identities. Rounding out our episode, we revisit a conversation with Betsy Fischer, SRJC Culinary Department Chair, who guides and builds careers for students of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and socioeconomic levels, helping them to achieve the next step in their lives through food. It's an inspiration.

Christopher Herrera is a seventh generation Sonoma County farmer who learned a great deal of what he knows about farming, not from his parents but from YouTube! What he learned and the methods he employs are both completely modern and extremely ancient. The amount he and his brother Andrew, with the help of family and friends, has accomplished on the new property they’re working since February of this year is significant. Their Deep Roots Farm is by the side of our County’s third busiest road, where folks can see it and find it and come shop and support it. This modern model of next generation family farming, so crucial to our future, is the center of this conversation with host Clark Wolf.