Toluma Farms

About Toluma Farms

Tamara Hicks raises AWA dairy goats and sheep at Toluma Farms, just 20 minutes west of Petaluma in the town of Tomales, a unique coastal community nestled above Marshall and the Tomales Bay estuary – and the gateway to Dillon Beach and Bodega Bay. Owners David Jablons and Tamara Hicks, along with their two daughters, Josy and Emmy, purchased the 160-acre property in 2003. They spent the first four years focused on significant land restoration in collaboration with various conservation organizations throughout Northern California. Since the property was a cattle dairy for many generations, the family decided to restore the land's dairy operations. In 2007, the property transitioned to a goat and sheep dairy and, following a grant from USDA Rural Development and capital from the land trust with Marin Agriculture Land Trust, Toluma Farms began their third and final phase: building the facilities to make their own cheese. The state-of-the art Tomales Farmstead Creamery, which is based on the farm, began producing artisanal goat and sheep cheeses in April 2013. Their goats milk, like any good goats milk, has a delicious and slightly sweet taste. The goats are milked twice a day and produce a gallon of milk each day, which translates into one pound of cheese. “We are proud to declare that we can identify every one of our 200 goats by name. Our goats are comprised of Saanens, Alpines, La Manchas, Oberhaslis, Tobbenbergs and Nubians,” states Tamara Jo. Toluma Farms also has over 100 East Friesian sheep. “The world's commercial dairy sheep industry is concentrated in Europe,” Tamara Jo explains. “The dairy goat and sheep industry is still in its infancy in the United States. We are doing are part to move the industry forward and provide an amazing product for the San Francisco Bay Area.” In addition to focusing on the welfare of their animals, Toluma Farms is committed to educating kids and adults who might not have an opportunity to see where their food comes from. On the first Sunday of each month they offer tours of the farm and creamery. They also offer private tours and host an array of events. For more information, about Toluma Farms and Tomales Farmstead Creamery, visit www.tolumafarms.com.