More Than 2,500 Visitors Tour, Taste, and Learn About Local Agriculture During Countywide Celebration

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. — The San Luis Obispo County Farm Trail celebrated a record-breaking Open Farm Days this past weekend, welcoming more than 2,500 guests from across the region, as well as out of state, to experience the people, products, and places that make local agriculture something very special here.

Centered around the theme “TOUR. TASTE. LEARN.,” visitors spent the weekend exploring farms, ranches, orchards, vineyards, and artisan producers throughout San Luis Obispo County. The festivities began Friday evening with a vibrant Marketplace at Paso Robles City Park, where hundreds gathered to meet growers and makers from across the county, sample local products, and kick off the weekend celebration.

This year marked a major milestone for Open Farm Days: for the first time ever, the event was free to attend. Free admission was made possible through funding from a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant partnership with UC SAREP’s California Open Farm Passport program, along with a Community Partnership Grant from Travel Paso.

"Our goal when starting FARMstead ED nearly 13 years ago, and the SLO County Farm Trail six years ago, was to introduce folks to our locally grown and made,” said Lynette Sonne, Founder and Herd Boss of FARMstead ED. “This weekend did exactly that. Expectations were exceeded, and our hearts filled seeing so many people eager to learn about local agriculture and connect with the farmers, ranchers, and makers who feed and sustain our communities.”  Open Farm Days showcased the diversity of San Luis Obispo County agriculture while providing guests with hands-on opportunities to learn where their food comes from, meet local producers, and discover the stories behind the county’s farms and agricultural businesses.

While the gates may have closed on Open Farm Days 2026, the San Luis Obispo County Farm Trail remains open year-round. Visitors are encouraged to continue exploring local farms and producers through the Farm Trail’s newly launched interactive map at farmsteaded.com. Each participating farm offers its own unique experiences, products, and visiting hours, and guests are encouraged to connect directly with farms when planning their visits.

The San Luis Obispo County Farm Trail is an initiative of FARMstead ED, dedicated to connecting residents and visitors with the county’s rich agricultural heritage through educational and agritourism experiences that support local farms, ranches, and food producers.

About FARMstead ED

FARMstead ED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to agricultural education, connecting communities to local food systems, and supporting the sustainability of family farms and ranches through hands-on learning experiences and agritourism initiatives throughout San Luis Obispo County. Through programs such as the SLO County Farm Trail and Open Farm Days, FARMstead ED helps residents and visitors discover, appreciate, and support the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

Community support makes this work possible. To learn more about FARMstead ED’s programs or to make a donation, visit farmsteaded.com.

Media Contact: Images by Brittany App
Lynette Sonne, Founder

(805) 226-2081 | info@farmsteaded.com