Agricultural Heritage Tours
Agricultural Heritage outings take adults and families to protected open space and agricultural properties to spend time with professional land managers, conservationists, scientists, historians, and more to explore natural resource conservation and sustainable agriculture. Sponsored by and in partnership with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, our Agricultural Heritage series of hikes, workshops, and trainings highlight Sonoma County's agricultural traditions and the conservation priorities of the RCD. All this while exploring lands that have been protected forever by the Open Space District and Sonoma County voters who fund the District's work with a quarter-cent sales tax. There is no cost to participate in these tours.
Upcoming Agricultural Heritage Tours:
Working with the Wild: A Fall Day on Duckworth Ranch
Saturday, November 5th, 2016, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Hosted with LandPaths
Come spend the day on the ranch with Oscar and Lorri Duckworth and their family. We’ll hear this family’s story and philosophy as farmers who work with the wild. We will meet a variety of farm animals (sheep, horses, chickens), and their wild neighbors, see fall foliage on the blueberries and relax beneath the oaks on this beautiful property for a bring-your-own-lunch picnic. There will be an easy 1.5-mile hike on these beautiful 80+ acres along Blucher Creek to watch for birds and bobcats. Afterward, we’ll teach wool-spinning by hand, using the Duckworth’s own sheep’s wool. This event will be wonderful for all ages, but especially great for children to come and get a full farm experience meeting animals and learning about where our food comes from.
Past Outings:
Un Dia De Campo: Vamos a Conocer Una Lecheria De Ovejas! 
Saturday: July 16th, 2016, 10:00 AM -1:00 PM
This is Gold Ridge RCD's first Spanish language outing. Attendees toured Haverton Hill Creamery, tasted rich sheep's butter and ice cream, and met a dedicated farming family in beautiful Bloomfield, CA!
Quiere pasar un día estupendo afuera con su familia y comida maravillosa? ¡Acompáñenos en una excursión única y sométase a la belleza e historia de Haverton Hill Creamery, la lechería de ovejas mas grande del estado! ¡Haremos un tour de la lechería y probaremos deliciosa leche de oveja, mantequilla, nieve y socialicemos con la familia Adiego y su manada de 900 ovejas! Este es un evento especial para visitar a un rancho privado. Pagadores de impuestos del Condado de Sonoma como usted han salvado este e otros ranchos de agricultura para siempre. ¡Ahora, usted tiene la oportunidad de ver como usted ha hecho una diferencia! Aprender mas / Learn More >>
A Flurry of Feathers: Birds of the Estero Americano 
Saturday, March 26th 2016, 8:30-11:00 AM
Join the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District on a walk of the Estero Americano wetlands to view and discuss the incredible birds that thrive in its delicate habitat. Learn how private lands provide wetland habitat, and hear dairyman Steve Moody’s perspective on a lifetime of dairying in the Estero Americano. We’re sure to see many birds of a feather with the help of knowledgeable birding guides...
Creative Drought Solutions: Water Storage on a Bodega Ranch and How It Helps Our Salmon
Saturday, November 14th 2015, 1:00 – 3:30 PM 
Join Gold Ridge RCD in an afternoon exploring the water cycle and one rancher’s role in conserving our precious water resources for salmon in Salmon Creek. Our holistic discussion will address how groundwater is connected to surface water, why our salmon are in peril and how we can help, what role agriculture does and can play in conserving water, how rural water storage works....