Giving Back – Q&A With Audrey Pascoe
Q&A with Audrey Pascone, co-Owner of Red Gate Ranch and member of the Shasta Growers association board of directors…
Tell us a little about the Shasta Growers Association and its mission. The Shasta Growers Association, also known as the SGA, is one of the oldest organizations to operate certified farmers markets in the state of California. It was formed in 1977 and currently operates four farmers markets in Redding and Burney. The mission of the organization is to root the community in the rich agricultural heritage of Shasta and the surrounding counties by providing a direct marketplace for the highest quality regional produce, artisan goods and prepared foods.
Who does the Shasta Growers Association primarily serve? The SGA serves all residents of Shasta and the surrounding counties.
Why is supporting local agriculture so important in our region? Food and economic resilience. A strong community of farmers, artisans and producers means overall economic resilience for a variety of local businesses and food security by supporting local farmers, ranchers and other producers.
What are some of the biggest challenges local growers face today? The costs of running a business and hiring employees in California continues to increase each year. It already has been shown to cost up to 30 percent more for farmers and ranchers to operate their businesses with sustainable and regenerative practices. On top of that, rising costs of fuel and feed are proving to be a big challenge.
How has the organization evolved in recent years? We expanded our Saturday Farmers Market into a year-round outlet in late 2024. We’ve also seen turnover among farmers over the last several years, as older growers retire without enough new farmers to replace them. Fortunately, new farmers and producers are beginning to emerge, helping provide a more varied selection of products. We’ve also expanded our definition of “local” to include growers from across the North State, allowing for a more complete offering of food.
What’s something people might not realize about farming in the North State? Seasonality. While we do live in a somewhat Mediterranean growing climate which is ideal for food production, we are also far enough north here that the lack of daylight hours significantly affects our ability to grow certain foods on a more year-round schedule.
What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about local agriculture? The value of supporting local producers and businesses. Some people think the farmers market should be a place to get “cheap” food, but may overlook the value of locally produced foods. Supporting local producers helps maintain a healthy food system. For those using sustainable, regenerative or organic practices, the food may offer higher nutrient content than non-local options. While the cost may be higher at first, the value is present in quality and potential health benefits. Local markets also offer foods not typically found in grocery stores, including items that don’t store or transport well. With the Shasta Match program, those on a tight budget can access high-quality local food through additional CalFresh SNAP incentives.
How can someone connect with the Shasta Growers Association? Our market manager, Traci Kingsbury, can be reached via email at sgamanager0@gmail.com. Our website, www.reddingfarmersmarkets.com, offers more details about our market locations and dates, plus we invite everyone to come out to the markets and introduce themselves.
reddingfarmersmarkets.com
