Tour Hosts:

Feather River Land Trust

Maddalena Property, Beckwourth
530/283-5758 www.frlt.org

This 575 acre ranch was purchased by FRLT three years ago from Tony, Cindy and Steve Maddalena. The proceeds from the sale allowed Tony and Cindy to purchase land adjacent to their home ranch in Sierraville. The property is open to the public and current uses include canoeing, birding, hiking, scientific research and educational field trips by local students. The property is leased for cattle grazing in the spring and summer. The cattle are excluded from the wetlands, which are currently undergoing restoration. A solar pump provides cattle with water and solar fences are used extensively.

The Goss Ranch

Dave and Doris Goss and Family, Vinton, CA
530/993-4636

History: Dave’s parents, Joe & Esther Goss, moved to this ranch and established the Pitchfork Cattle Co. in 1948. The family has been working the ranch since then.

Products: Hereford Cattle including weaner calves and breeding bulls; Suffolk sheep.

Specialty: Hosting events that teach about ranch life to 4-H and students that also includes a hayride using draft horses, demonstrations with working sheep dogs, branding on wood and a BBQ. The family works together and supports local 4-H projects, the County Fair, local parades, the Draft House Classic and weddings.

Bill and Nancy Harnach

Calpine, CA
530/994-3464

Nancy and Bill Harnach have been studying the plants of the Sierra Valley area for over 25 years and have developed a collection of over 1200 sheets of plants found in the area. For the past 15 years they have led plant walks in the area for the Nevada Native Plant Society and the California Native Plant Society. They have authored articles for the CNNPS book “California’s Wild Gardens, A Living Legacy” for both Sierra Valley, and The Butterfly Valley Botanical Area and have taught the “Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Sierra Nevada” class at the San Francisco State University Sierra Nevada Field Campus.

Bar One Cattle Company

Jack and Beverly Sparrowk, Loyalton
541/947-4750

Products: Cows & calves, horses, yearlings.

Specialty: Roping & cutting arena; conservation easement has helped their bottom line by allowing them to continue ranching while enhancing wildlife habitat through various conservation projects.

History: The ranch was purchased by the Sparrowks in 1994. Conservation easement held by the California Rangeland Trust since 2002. Previously part of the Lucky Hereford operation.

Sierra Valley Farms

Gary and Kim Romano, Beckwourth
530/832-0114 svfarms@plumas.com

Products: 56 total acres under CCOF (CA Certified Organic Farming) production. Six acres of vegetables including salad greens, spinach, arugula, beets, radishes, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, Swiss chard, romaine, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes and horseradish and 50 acres of native grass pasture. The native plant nursery grows approx. 150 species of native/cold-hardy plants.

Specialty: Produce, native plants and organic horseradish sauce. Farm stand and retail nursery are open Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Thursday & Friday 10AM – 6PM and Saturday 10AM – 4PM.

History: Sierra Valley Farms was originally established in 1990 as a wholesale native plant nursery. The farm diversified its operation in 1995 to include the growing of organic vegetables and the opening of a farm stand and retail nursery. Sierra Valley Farms is a California Certified Organic Farm.

Roberti Ranch

The Roberti Family, Loyalton
530/993-4550

Products: Angus and Charolais Cattle; alfalfa hay

Specialty: Multigenerational family management; waterfowl management and wetland restoration

History: The Roberti family has been in the ranching and dairy business for over 100 years. The dairy operation ceased in the 1950’s when the ranch went to an all beef heard. We are a true family-run ranch and our operation currently includes three generations of Roberti’s taking on the challenges of ranching and farming in Sierra Valley. Our goal is to be good stewards of this land so that future generations may enjoy it for years to come. We are looking forward to seeing you at the ranch!

Harvey Farms

Anna and Don Harvey, Calpine
530/994-3617

Products: Sheep, blueberries and timber. A portion of the timber is custom milled.

Specialty: The Harvey’s 100 head of sheep are raised primarily for their wool. Hand spinners and weavers pay a premium for the quality of wool they produce. Summer workshops are offered for those who would like to work with their wool products.

History: Anna Harvey is a 4th generation sheep rancher. Anna and her husband Don Harvey and their three children Austin, Cassidy, and Callie live and work on their 1200 ac. farm in the Sierra Valley. Their farm is solar operated and we work very hard to have a natural balance with our surroundings and our farming practices.

Infiniti Farms

Eve Sheldon, Calpine
530/832-4410

Products: Riding instruction for all ages; horse breeding and training.

Specialty: Natural horsemanship methods with dressage, jumping and western riding. Breeding program produces outstanding Oldenburg sport horses.

History: Infinite Farms has been in operation since 1995, starting in Reno as a spothorse breeding operation and moving to the Sierra Valley location in 1998. After the move, Eve expanded the ranch’s operation to include riding lessons and training for the public.

Audubon Society of Plumas County

Plumas Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society and serves roughly 100 members in Plumas and eastern Sierra Counties. Founded in 1990, the chapter holds monthly evening programs in the spring and fall, publishes a newsletter, provides “Audubon Adventures” nature-education materials to local schools, and conducts bird watching outings. Plumas Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count is held in Sierra Valley, a special birding spot year-round. For more information, contact Darrel Jury, President, Plumas Audubon Society, at 530-283-2939.

Donors

Robert Cassel
Nancy Coulter
Leland Cross
Got Sky
Brenda and Tracy Lantow
Madden Heating and Plumbing
Sandra McGaughey
Archie and Laverne Monico
Portola - Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce
Bill and Lori Powers
Bill Powers, Supervisor Plumas County
Sierra Bath and Body
Sierra County Board of Supervisors
Sierra Valley Farms
RV Charter Service Inc.
Trout Unlimited

Steering Committee and Ranch Hosts

Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to make this event happen including: Bar One Ranch, Bill Adamson, Calpine Community Center, Holly George, Goss Ranch, Ginger Gramm, Bill and Nancy Harnack, Kate Haworth, Harvey Ranch, Infiniti Farms, Scott Lusk, Dan Martynn, Gabe Miller, Cindy Noble, Susan Payne, Plumas Arts, Plumas Audubon, Plumas Sierra Cattlewoman’s Assn., Roberti Ranch, Gary and Kim Romano, Sierra Valley Lodge, Sierra Valley Farms, Miriam Tynan

Sponsors

Thank you to the Tour Hosts, Sponsors & Donors who contributed generously to the 2006 Sierra Valley Barns, Birds and Barbecue!