THIS WEEK: Seasonal eating and living | Podcast: Under Pressure—Caramel Apple Pie replaces Pumpkin Spice; Online: CTE Grants Cultivate Culinary & Agricultural Skills | Event: Ethic Cider Apple Pressing
Dear Reader,
Sonoma County has so many microclimates that we can literally grow our entire diet right here, from a wide variety of vegetables and fruits (even avocados!) to olive oil, wine, cheese, meat, honey, and grain, not to mention our own regional specialties, like the Crane Melon, Gravenstein, and Santa Rosa Plum. Plus our local artisans make clothes, furniture, bags, art, music, and more. Made Local Magazine is here to share it with you, seasonally, and from a personal point of view because we live here too.
Our apple season in Sonoma County starts with varieties like the Gravenstein but keeps going into October with many more—learn more about how those varieties come to be and the unusual way they “reproduce” on this week’s podcast. And online, read about a new round of CTE (Career Technical Education) Foundation Sonoma County grants for agricultural and culinary education. This support helps a new generation of high school students pursue careers that center our area’s unique and food systems.
Now we just need a seasonal Crane melon latte…
Best,
Kary
PODCAST: Under Pressure
Clark Wolf and Daedalus Howell bite into Sonoma County apple season, beginning with McDonald’s decision to trade pumpkin spice for caramel apple pie coffee. From there, they explore the strange genetics of apples and the local celebrations, community presses and farm trails carrying the harvest into autumn and a plea for real pumpkin patches. Listen Here>
ONLINE: CTE Grants Cultivate Culinary & Agricultural Skills
Sonoma County students will soon be building animal facilities, working in an apiary and earning food-handling credentials through a new round of Career Technical Education (CTE) grants. CTE Foundation Sonoma County has awarded $140,274 to 15 programs at 13 school sites for the 2026–27 school year. Several of the grants support agricultural and culinary education, giving students practical experience while improving facilities and equipment. Read more online>
EVENT: Farm Trails Apple Pressing at Ethic Cider
10:00 AM Saturday, September 26 through Sunday, September 27, at 3:00 PM Ethic Cider
This apple pressing and tasting experience includes fresh half-gallon of apple juice to take home. Sign up online for a specific pressing.