Sierra Oro Farm Trail Schedules Passport Weekend; Butte County Specialty Farms Prepare for Open House Tours and Tastings Sept. 30 - Oct. 1.

CHICO, Calif -- Local farmers will host a weekend of wine tasting and farm-fresh food sampling on Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 at the first annual Sierra Oro Farm Trail "Passport Weekend." E[acute accent]The Passport Weekend will be a chance for visitors to tour all of the farms currently on the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Map, as well as a few new additions. E[acute accent]"The Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend is unique because it is the first time all of the farms on the map will open their doors on the same weekend," said Heather Quilici, who co-founded the map with Jamie Johansson of Lodestar Farms. "Additionally, everyone will have something special taking place at their farm. Many of our members will be harvesting, it will be a great time to see the farmers in action." E[acute accent]In an effort to reach more people from outside of the local area, the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend will take place in conjunction with Chico State University's Alumni/Parent weekend, which is also scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 1. E[acute accent]"We were happy to work with the Sierra Oro Farm Trail, which offered something new and different for parents and alumni to see when they come to Alumni/Parent weekend. The partnership encourages visitors to explore our local agriculture in addition to attending the festivities we have lined up for them at the University," said Susan Anderson, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations at California State University, Chico. E[acute accent]Quilici says the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Association and the membership are planning for 2,500 people to attend Passport Weekend for the first year. "The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive. With help from the University, we feel we should have no trouble reaching our goal." E[acute accent]Sierra Oro Passport Weekend tickets are $20 per person and include free tasting at all farms on the map. All proceeds go to benefit the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Association to further develop agri-tourism in Butte County. E[acute accent]Tickets will go on sale Aug. 17 and will be available at all farms on the Sierra Oro Farm Trail, at the Chico Chamber of Commerce, the Oroville Chamber of Commerce and at any Tri Counties Bank branch in the greater Chico, Redding and Sacramento areas. E[acute accent]Sierra Oro Passport weekend is sponsored by the Butte County Farm Bureau, Chico Chamber of Commerce and Tri Counties Bank. E[acute accent]The Sierra Oro Farm Trail Map features 10 specialty farms and five wineries including: Black Crow Grill and Taproom, Book Family Farm, Butte View Olive Company, California Olive Ranch, Chaffin Orchards, Golden West Nuts, Goodman Bed & Breakfast, Grey Fox Winery, Hanson Orchards, Hotel Diamond, Johnnie's Restaurant and Lounge, LaRocca Vineyards, Lavender Legacy, Lodestar Farms, Long Creek Winery, Maisie Jane's, Mountain View Christmas Tree Farm, Noble Orchards, Odyssey Winery and Vineyards, Quilici Vineyards, Red Tavern, Riverside Bed & Breakfast and Wagon Wheel Market. E[acute accent]Additionally, Canyon Creek Nursery, Stanford Oaks Vineyard, New Clairvaux Winery and Bubalis Bubalis Mozzarella have joined the Sierra Farm Trail Map and will be participating in Passport Weekend. E[acute accent]The Sierra Oro Farm Trail Map also highlights local tourist attractions, historic landmarks, hotels and fine dining. E[acute accent]The map is easy to navigate and user friendly. For those who have less experience navigating country back roads, it offers a detailed view of directions to each individual farm. E[acute accent]For more information about the Sierra Oro Farm Trail and passport weekend, visit www.sierraoro.org or call 530-566-9849.