Stilt Walking at the Hoes Down Harvest Festival —
Howdy y’all! Full Belly Farm’s Education team – Sierra & Haley here! It’s been a couple of years since our last Hoes Down Harvest Festival, so we thought we’d give you a quick reminder of all the fun to be had, coming up on October 5th! Lo and behold, here’s the first installation of the ABC’s of the Hoes Down Harvest Festival:
A – Agricultural Workshops
Interested in how to raise chickens, discover native plants, or learn the fundamentals of natural building? Well the Hoes Down is the place to do all that and more. There are over 25 workshops available with the price of admission.
B – Barnyard Animals
Visit all of your favorite Full Belly Farm regulars that help make this farm run. Stop by and learn how Eclair gets milked, what our lucky pigs get to eat, how our chickens move around the farm in their mobile homes and how our sheep get shorn. Don’t forget to visit the FFA’s petting zoo too!
C – Crafts
Are you a maker or an enjoyer of the handmade? Hoes Down Harvest Festival can scratch both itches! You can find dozens of artisans selling their hand-made, natural material items in our marketplace. Or also, wander over to the kids area to learn how to make flower wreaths, corn husk dolls and fiber arts for your own craft adventures.
D – Dancing
One of the most popular events each year at the Hoes Down is the Contra Dance. People of all ages, visiting from all over, join hands near the banks of Cache Creek to be lead through the dances. Choose from three stages – Utah Phillips Family Stage, Farm-On-and-On Stage, and LocalLore Stage to hear everything from the family fun Banana Slug String Band to the jazzy beats of the King Street Giants.
E – Energy & Excitement!
The Hoes Down Harvest Festival is filled with energy! Once you arrive, it’s hard not to feel the buzz in the air of all the Hoes Down volunteers running to help at their booths, the talented chefs preparing the next feast, excited students arriving in school groups, and enthusiastic families setting up their campsites.
F – FOOD!
Almost everything you eat at the Hoes Down is organic and uses the freshest ingredients. There’s delicious grilled lamb at the Mediterranean Café, homemade tamales from Full Belly Farmers, and the most scrumptious apple galettes provided by Frog Hollow Farm. Want to be more hands-on with your food? Head over to the kids area to make your own pizzas in the wood-fired oven!
G – Giving
The Hoes Down Harvest Festival is proud to be an on-farm fundraiser for community groups. Your support goes to help the Ecological Farming Association, scholarships to young eager college bound students, and grants to over a dozen local community groups. None of this giving could happen without your participation, or the amazing donations by our super sponsors.
H – Hay Fort
Dive in and explore the caverns of the famous Hay Fort! A great place for kids to adventure for hours of fun. Worried you might get lost? Don’t! The Hay Fort is protected by a group of kid-volunteers who can squeeze into every nook and cranny, available to help folks out if needed.
I – Incredible location
The Hoes Down Harvest Festival takes place on the beautiful 450-acre, organic and family-run Full Belly Farm. Located in Yolo County’s gorgeous Capay Valley, feel free to wander the fields, orchards, and pastures that make up this beautiful working landscape. And come prepared to take a dip in the refreshing Cache Creek!
J – Jump onto our website to purchase your tickets before we’re sold out!
All tickets sales are on-line, in advance this year. Another change from previous years is that there is no car-camping, all the camping will be walk-in tents in the walnut orchard.
—Sierra Reading & Haley Friel
Our young almond orchard is almost 2 years old and looks beautiful, nestled up against the mountains. This is the orchard that we described in an earlier newsletter because the irrigation is entirely solar power. Our crew is removing trunk guards from the trees.
