Agriculture is firmly ingrained in California’s past and present. If you think farming has fallen to the wayside, consider this: even today, farmland constitutes 40% of the state. These ten far northern California farms prove that agriculture is alive and well, even in the wildest corners of the state.
From Red Bluff to the Oregon border, small vineyards, farms and ranches dot the rural landscape of far Northern California. Next time you’re exploring the Shasta Cascade region, add a few of these Far Northern California farms and wineries to your itinerary!
New Clairvaux Vineyard
New Clairvaux Vineyards invites guests to enjoy their award-winning wines (crafted by monks!) and to explore a rich piece of California history. Some of the winery’s buildings date back to the late 1800s, when it was known as the Great Vina Ranch – once the largest winery in the world! Be sure to taste the Abbey Angelica altar wine, which is used for communion at the on-site abbey church.
Olive Pit
Burgers, frosties and …olives? It’s not the world’s most obvious combo, but clearly there’s an audience. Pull in to enjoy a burger and a frosty, and leave with an armful of jarred olives, olive oil, wine and nuts – all grown locally in Tehama County!
If you’re buying olives from the USA, they were probably grown in California! Our farmers grow over 95% of the nation’s olives.
Moonbeam Farms
Just wanna stay in a lavender haze? Visit Moonbeam Farms from mid-spring through summer to take in the purple painted fields and the intoxicating aroma of over 1100 lavender plants! This family-owned organic farm sells dried lavender, lavender oils, Herbe de Provence seasoning blend, and an assortment of bath products – including organic loofahs grown right on the farm.
Red Gate Ranch
Red Gate Ranch is one of our favorite Northern California destinations for certified organic nursery plants, fresh vegetables, pasture-raised pork and 100% grass-fed beef. Can’t make it to their farmstand? You can also find Red Gate Ranch produce at Redding and Red Bluff farmers markets!
Basaltic Farms
Gilroy isn’t the only player in the garlic game. While the Central Valley inarguably grows the bulk of California’s garlic, Basaltic Farms has garnered quite the cult following. Garlic aficionados flock to this Lassen County garlic farm to source certified organic, heirloom garlic bulbs and seed. From July through December, call ahead to visit the farm store and see where their heirloom garlic is grown.
Bidwell Canyon Farms
Far Northern California is much more remote than other parts of the state. That means that access to seasonal fruits and vegetables can be challenging. Bidwell Canyon Farms proudly offers “real food for rural places”. From April through October, you can order fresh produce through their online farm store and pick it up at one of three convenient Modoc County locations. Looking to embrace the rugged beauty of Far Northern California? Bidwell Canyon also offers farmstays – complete with fresh produce and guided farm tours!
Wemple’s Pumpkin Patch
Every fall, families from all over Lassen County visit Wemple’s Pumpkin Patch. During the month of October, the Milford Ranch hosts hundreds of people looking to find the perfect pumpkin, make their way through the corn maze, and enjoy fabulous fall treats from the cookhouse. Wemple’s Pumpkin Patch is just minutes from Hwy 395. If you’re enjoying a fall trip up one of California’s most scenic highways, pull off and partake in the fun!
It takes between 90-120 days for a pumpkin to mature. That means that many small pumpkin patches plant their seed between June and July for an early October harvest. Learn more about how pumpkins are grown in California!
Lavineyard Farms
There’s so much to do at Lavineyard Farms – from winetasting and vineyard tours to DIY workshops and events in the lavender fields. Next time you’re traveling through Shasta County, be sure to swing by this stunning Northern California farm and winery. The lavender fields are only in full bloom from June through July, but don’t worry if you miss it – wine is always in season!
Did you know that winegrapes are grown in 49 of California’s 58 counties?
Five Marys Ranch
Five Marys Ranch specializes in high-quality, ranch-raised meats. They’ve made quite the name for themselves within the culinary community. However, Five Marys Ranch wants to take it one step further. Education is key to appreciation, and they’re intent on not just explaining what they do, but why, so that customers can know and trust where their food comes from.
Ready to experience the ranch-raised difference? Visit Five Marys’ Fort Jones butcher shop to peruse in person, join their M5 Meat Club, or stop into their Siskiyou County burger joint, Five Marys Burgerhouse.
Pastures of Grace
Pastures of Grace is a non-profit women’s ministry in Siskiyou County. This working ranch aims to help struggling young women learn valuable life skills through raising cattle, pigs and planting dahlias. During Saturdays in August and September, the ranch welcomes visitors to its u-pick flower fields, where guests can gather their own fresh dahlias and leave with armfuls of blooms. Follow Pastures of Grace on Instagram for exact dates and additional u-pick days.
Want to get a taste of some of the amazing produce that grows on remote Northern California farms? Check out a few of the Shasta Cascade region’s farmers markets!
Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by Hilary Rance, James Collier and Lavineyard Farms.