Toluma Farms is located two miles outside the town of Tomales. Tomales is a small town of 250 residents located in the California Coastal Zone of Northwest Marin County along scenic Highway One. The Farm is surrounded by beautiful coastal agricultural countryside.
Owners, David Jablons and Tamara Hicks (along with their two girls Josy and Emmy) purchased the land in 2003 and spent the first few years on significant land restoration in collaboration with NRCS, The STRAW Project, Marin Organic and Marin RCD. Thanks to Leo Ghirardelli of Superior Systems the property which was a cow dairy for several generations was transitioned to a goat dairy. Toluma Farms currently has 170 goats and began milking in June 2007.
Toluma Farms has been fortunate in recruiting smart, hardworking and committed individuals. All of the staff at Toluma Farms bring a wealth of experience either from previous work on a farm and/or environmental work.
Laura Patterson, Toluma Farms Herd Manager, brings to Toluma Farms over 13 years of organic and sustainable agriculture experience. A sampling of her past professional experiences include Marin Agriculture Land Trust, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, Dancing Moon Flowers, River Dog Organic Farm and Full Belly Farm. Laura has a BA in Anthropology with a concentration in Environmental Studies from Grinnell College, Iowa. Laura and her partner Eric Patterson have extensive experience with all aspects of raising goats. Eric is a Cheesemaker with Cowgirl Creamery.
Michele Guinn brings to Toluma Farms her technological know how and keeps the equipment running smoothly. A newer goat milk maid who is 100% in love with Toluma Farms. When not milking, she works as a local landscaper in Sonoma County. When I grow up I hope to be a farmer with an incredible orchard and garden, with chickens a' scratchin - goats a' grazin and everyone eating like kings.
Phoebe Vernier is a professional Flamenco dancer and instructor in Sonoma County. LA FIBI FLAMENCO DANCE COMPANY was voted "Best Dance Company" in the North Bay Bohemian Readers Poll 2007 in both Sonoma and Marin Counties. Proud mother of 2 sons, who volunteer at the farm, she resides in Petaluma. She loves the goats! and appreciates the connection to nature, beauty, and tranquility she experiences at Toluma Farms.
Hanna Hart is a full blood idealist and a native San Franciscan. Passionately commited to the local and artisan food movement, Hanna came to Toluma Farms to learn the intricacies of what it takes to run a small dairy. Hanna hopes to follow in the footsteps of her great grandmother, the village cheesemaker and a deeply spirited woman, and have her own farmstead cheese operation one day. She has found herself slowly becoming one of the herd and being absorbed by the colors of the West Marin landscape. Hanna got her BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and is currently working on a series of mobiles.
Jill Snaps
Kelsey Parker is a high school senior at Tomales High.
