Sonoma County Grow Out

In 2006 and 2007 there was a national effort to “grow out” a number of vegetable varieties listed as endangered on the USA Slow Food Ark of Taste. However, many of the varieties were not appropriate to the growing conditions in Sonoma County. In 2008, Slow Food Sonoma County, North and Slow Food Russian River teamed up to continue the grow-out in the county.

Thirty Ark vegetable varieties best suited for the county’s growing conditions were selected, and seeds are distributed every spring to farmers in the two convivia who volunteer to grow and sell the vegetables. Signage describing each vegetable, its history, and stating that it is on the Slow Food Ark of endangered foods accompanies the produce at the points of sale.

For more information, contact Zureal Bernier, zbernier@gmail.com.