Send us a text

Farm Trails was founded in the 1970’s to connect the public to local farmers, ranchers, producers and purveyors in Sonoma County CA and is still aligned with the same mission and going strong in 2025.

Over five decades ago, a group of forward-thinking farmers blazed trails in Sonoma County, creating a map & guide for local agriculture, inviting the public to meet their farmers and learn more about the origins of their food. These pioneers also produced the Gravenstein Apple Fair to celebrate the heirloom apple and Sonoma County’s rural traditions. This was back in 1973, before the advent of Farmers’ Markets, CSAs, and campaigns to shop locally. Over the years, their “North Star” has remained the same: Farms Forever in Sonoma County!

Carmen Snyder is the Executive Director of Farm Trails. She made her way from the Carolinas to California many years ago and consistently reflects on the mission of Farm Trails. A recent trip overseas required her to be very creative in trying to identify ‘farm to table’ cuisine. Upon her return she realized that what Farm Trails offers is a way to access the best of the food and food events of Sonoma County - something that is not as easily identified when traveling in different areas of the US and abroad.

Join Carmen and I as we explore the impact of Farm Trails which I consider a significant marketing opportunity for Sonoma County farmers. Also, learn about how the Gravenstein Apple has helped Farm Trails thrive and how Farm Trails has kept the Gravenstein at the forefront of the Sonoma County community.

Farm Trails

Join us for an exciting 'm/cocktail hour' for chocolate lovers at Berkshire Farm Sanctuary! Start with a chocolate mocktail & some delicious charcuterie. Experience how chocolate is made from bean to bar. Savor the tastes of real chocolate from around the world and depart with some of your favorite chocolate bars. All proceeds support the rescued farm animals! Register @ Berkshire Farm Sanctuary.

Grounded in Maine Podcast hosted by Amy Fagan is an open conversation about being mindful about how we show up for the world. Amy is passionate about learning how we can be sustainable in all aspects of life.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network

Send us a text

One of my best trips ever….exploring Costa Rica…with my youngest daughter Abby…for her 18th birthday and High School graduation! This past April, Abby and I embarked on an adventure to Costa Rica….packed with ‘fake’ volcanic eruptions, ash clouds, rainforest hikes, stray dogs, serendipitous moments, magnificent sunsets, a cacao farm tour, chocolate and coffee tasting, delicious, clean, local meals, howler monkeys, the Pacific ocean, waterfalls, and so much more…. Taking it all in was not enough! I needed to debrief on this amazing agritourism adventure with my youngest on the podcast! I wanted to capture these moments forever on audio. Join Abby and I as we banter about our first-time adventures together in Costa Rica! Enjoy my conversation with Abby!

La Leona Waterfall
Arenal Volcano National Park
Don Juan Chocolate & Coffee Tour
ATV Tours

Join us for an exciting 'm/cocktail hour' for chocolate lovers at Berkshire Farm Sanctuary! Start with a chocolate mocktail & some delicious charcuterie. Experience how chocolate is made from bean to bar. Savor the tastes of real chocolate from around the world and depart with some of your favorite chocolate bars. All proceeds support the rescued farm animals! Register @ Berkshire Farm Sanctuary.

Grounded in Maine Podcast hosted by Amy Fagan is an open conversation about being mindful about how we show up for the world. Amy is passionate about learning how we can be sustainable in all aspects of life.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network

Send us a text

I had the opportunity to interview 2 extremely dedicated and super insipring people who are veterans, farmers, educators, PHd students, and mentors for so many veterans who are considering a career in farming. This is career #2 for both of them. But Why did they pick Farming?

With one-third of American farmers over the age of 60, there is a critical shortage of individuals entering the agriculture industry. At the same time, there is a record number of veterans experiencing unemployment, PTSD, suicide, and other challenges that naturally follow almost two decades of sustained war.​

Matthew and Kara Rutter, discuss their journey into farming post-military and why they are on a mission to increase the number of farmers while helping their fellow veterans.

Matt & Kara have created a few business models all focused on helping veterans get into farming and successfully stay in farming including Project Victory Gardens, Farms of the Brave, Farmer’s Bootcamp which is like a mini shark tank experience for wannabe farmers, Rutter’s ranch which is their own for profit farm business, and there are also projects that have been born out of their PHD pursuits in agriculture.

Matt & Kara are connected to Jeanette Lombardo from Farmer’s Veteran Coalition, the Global Agritorusim NEtwork and Will Culler from Clemson U who coordinates the ag and art tours in South Carolina. Join me as we learn more about how Matt & Kara are motivating our veterans to pursue all sorts of careers in farming.
Farms of the Brave
Rutters Ranch
Project Victory Gardens
Farmer Bootcamp
Farmers Veteran Coalition
South Carolina's Ag & Art Tour

Join us for an exciting 'm/cocktail hour' for chocolate lovers at Berkshire Farm Sanctuary! Start with a chocolate mocktail & some delicious charcuterie. Experience how chocolate is made from bean to bar. Savor the tastes of real chocolate from around the world and depart with some of your favorite chocolate bars. All proceeds support the rescued farm animals! Register @ Berkshire Farm Sanctuary.

Grounded in Maine Podcast hosted by Amy Fagan is an open conversation about being mindful about how we show up for the world. Amy is passionate about learning how we can be sustainable in all aspects of life.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network