FARMstead ED + SLO County Farm Trail
FARMstead ED benefits our local farms and producers as an agricultural network of likeminded people. Farmers, makers and end consumers alike are introduced to who’s growing and making what, and where they can be found on the SLO Co Farm Trail. In many cases, our locally grown becomes our locally made. From food sourcing for restaurants to ingredients for body care, our local farms and ranches produce top quality products that can be purchased direct from the farm, farmers markets, and local retail shops.
How It All Began
San Luis Obispo County local, Lynette Sonne, founded FARMstead ED in 2014 to serve as a conduit between visitors and farmers; something that would educate folks on the importance of sustainable practices, local land, and craft. Sonne organizes opportunities for both tourists and townies to learn about everything from meat to mixology.
The “a-ha moment” for FARMstead ED came to Sonne while she was horseback riding on a friend’s ranch. She realized that while being really excited about all of her friends’ products — telling people about them and buying them for gifts, she was already an unofficial steward for all these products, so why not bring it to a bigger audience?
Getting folks out to those various farms and ranches in San Luis Obispo County covers the “FARMstead” part of the equation, but Sonne is taking the experience a step further with the “ED” part of it. Though events will vary a bit in format, her multi-faceted approach always features an educational aspect. Most experiences typically include a tour, demonstration, hands-on workshop and a pop-up mercantile that’s often stocked with the materials necessary for you to do-it-yourself at home.
~ Katy Budge, Casa Festiva
Some call it introductions. Others call it matchmaking. We call it connecting. We connect folks to the back roads, the backstories, and the people who make this land home. Hear the stories, experience our agriCULTURE, and meet the farmers, ranchers, and makers who work the land with their hands and hearts. Wander off the beaten path to discover family ranches, tucked-away urban farms, and hand-crafted goods made right along the trail. These are places shaped by seasons, sweat, and tradition. Come for the wine. Stay for the stories. Leave with a deeper understanding of where your food—and your roots—come from.
By sharing, caring, and collaborating the old-fashioned way, we’re proud to celebrate and protect authentic agricultural legacies, one connection at a time.
Why We Do What We Do
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the photographers that help us tell our stories
What our partners say about us…
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"As a trail member, our awareness into different markets has been magnified by the promotion and awareness generated by FARMstead ED. It is a great organization that truly represents the farms, makers and purveyors of our community and we are proud to be members!"
Martha Van Inwegen
Life Elements -
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“Local farming exists and thrives in SLO County. Your Farm Trail map is a great expression of this and is also a unifying instrument for local farming and production operations to have a larger voice and presence within the community.”
Karen Tallent
The Groves on 41 -
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“Joining FARMstead ED literally put us on the map. Previously we struggled with getting the word out about our farm and what we do. Since joining, our workshops and farm tours consistently sell out. We have also met quality collaborators in which we use their products as ingredients for our own products.”
Tina Ballantyne
Giving Tree Family Farm -
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“We love being a part of the farm trail and FARMstead ED does an amazing job showcasing the local farms on the central coast. We are grateful for their support and awareness they bring to the community and tourism.”
Chris Batlle
Mighty Cap Mushrooms -
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FARMstead ED has truly enriched our journey as a farm, and we are grateful to be part of such a passionate and dedicated community.
Gina Hambly
Hambly Farms -
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FARMstead ED is such an incredible opportunity for all local Farms to have guidance, exposure in the industry and top notch representation! These are key for the lifeblood of our farms and are things that most small farmers may not be able to achieve on their own. To all Farmers: FARMstead ED and Lynette together are an amazing collaboration of all things right in support of our farming world.
Karen Roach
Olea Farm
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”