News from the Farm | October 7, 2024

The 33rd Hoes Down happened this past weekend – a mix of farm fun, friends, family, and food. A good time was had by all 2,000ish folks who braved the heat to spend time here this weekend. Somehow, the farm is back in action on Monday morning with a relatively short list of remaining clean up tasks.

The fact that we’re a working farm the Friday and Monday surrounding this big event hides what a huge undertaking the Hoes Down is. It requires months of planning, countless little details to figure out, and a lot of hands and hard work in the days before and days after to pull it off. 

Over the past 33 years, the Hoes Down Festival has raised and donated over $2 million to local and regional organizations committed to sustainable and organic agriculture. Thanks to all those who joined us to help us with this goal – by attending, donating, or volunteering.

We have a lot of acknowledgements and thank yous:

• The volunteers who set up, cleaned up, and did everything in between. A HUGE thank you to Judith Redmond for coordinating all of them!
• The donors who contributed food or silent auction items, or other goods and services. Most of the food for the event is donated by generous and socially responsible businesses that have values aligned with sustainable and organic agriculture! Special shoutouts to Sycamore Hess, Ramen Shop, Osito, and Yo Tambien Cantina for their contributions. 
• The organizations and nonprofits who had information tables or helped build and staff the Festival – including but not limited to EcoFarm, CAFF, the Esparto High FFA and Wrestling Team, Yolo Farm to Fork, and the Real Organic Project.
• The 30 sponsors, individuals and businesses, whose financial contributions are crucial to making the Festival happen. We especially want to acknowledge Birchware, Nugget Markets, NorCal Produce, Produce Express, and the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-Op for their generosity.
• Musicians and entertainers who added their tunes and tales and the folks who set up the audio and lighting to make sure they sounded and looked good. 
• Workshop instructors who taught us about raising chickens, soil health, solar power, and more.
• Last but not least, all of the attendees; the first-timers, and the long-timers. We can’t have a festival without you.

We’re including a few photos taken by the amazing Molly Decoudreaux. If you attended and have photos to share, please do, either by tagging us on Instagram (@full_belly_farm) or send them to us via email (hoesdown@fullbellyfarm.com).