Driving out to Sierra Valley is a magical experience. I am awed by the beauty of this area, passing by large swaths of ranch lands, grazing cattle and vast open space. It’s a beautiful clear summer morning as I head out to Gary Romano’s Farmers’ Market located at his farm, Sierra Valley Farm in Beckwourth, about 45 minutes from Truckee.
My friend Scott Williams who lives in Calpine joins me on my adventure to Romano’s Friday farmer’s market. I turn off the A-23 and pull into the farm parking lot. A sweet community feeling greets me. I feel like I’ve been catapulted back in time. People are laid back. Families sit and listen to local musicians Penny and Dude play music by the barn. Folks browse the stands where local farmers and artists sell their wares. Romano is chatting with neighbors. The chalkboard next to the barn reads, “Welcome to our 27th year.”
I want to purchase green onions and peaches. Scott points out the Whittemore Family Farms booth. There is an abundance of produce. I find some beautiful green onions for scallion pancakes and Thai basil for a fish coconut curry I want to make. I chat with Megan Whittemore, who is minding the booth. She and her father Tim own the Whittemore Family Farm in Beckwourth. The Whittemore’s host Lil’ Megs Pumpkin Patch in the fall.
“Providing food for the community is one of the most rewarding things about farming. People depend on us for fresh fruit and vegetables. We are a destination farmers’ market.”
–Gary Romano
I peruse the market looking for peaches. There are booths with tamales and salsa, fresh loaves of bread, baked goods, ceramics and Dedrick’s Cheese. I love the cheese lady. The Jewelry Girl, Kaileyana Madisen of Loyalton, offers unique handmade jewelry and woven pot holders. Across the way is the Lawless Botanicals booth with herbal tinctures, teas, smudge sticks and herbal packages for the bath. And who doesn’t love a farm booth with a name like Sasquatch Farms?
I sit down at a picnic bench in the shade and listen to music while Scott gets some food from the Eclectic Eats food truck.
Check off #92 on our Ultimate Tahoe Summer Bucket List.
The woman across from me is from Chico. She has a jar of horseradish in her hand. “Gary makes it,” she says.
That will be my next purchase. I grab the last jar of Romano’s horseradish. His cooler has an array of fresh produce. Romano smiles for a photo and I return to the picnic table to listen to music. Scott returns with a breakfast bowl and eyes my horseradish. He promises to make prime rib if I make horseradish sauce.
Sierra Valley Farm, Romano’s 65-acre farm is situated on the middle fork of the Feather River. It is certified organic and has been in the family for three generations. After working as a public servant for almost 20 years, Romano decided to buy a piece of the farm from his aunt and uncle and become a farmer.
“I knew how to grow flowers. So, I started dabbling with vegetables in 95,” explains Romano.
“Providing food for the community is one of the most rewarding things about farming. People depend on us for fresh fruit and vegetables. We are a destination farmers’ market.”
Romano works seven days a week during the season and depends on volunteers to help with his harvests. In addition to his Friday farmers’ market, Romano can be found at the farmers’ markets in South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City and Reno, Nev.
“At any market, people want to meet the farmer. And I think that’s very important because I always do all the farmers’ markets myself,” he says. Romano was instrumental in starting both the Truckee and Tahoe City farmers’ markets. He has authored three books about farming, including: “27 Shades of Green: The True Colors of an American Small Farmer,” “July & Winter: Growing Food in the Sierra” and “Why I Farm: Risking It All for a Life on the Land.”
Romano’s Dinner in the Barn series was put on hold during the pandemic. He is planning to host them again in 2023. | @SierraValleyFarms530
Farmers’ Market | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Fridays until Sept. 16
