It’s easy to take the Sebastopol Farmers Market for granted after 30 years. For some, it’s a Sunday morning ritual to stroll through the market and get whatever is in season. Since the pandemic in particular, some might have gotten out of habit of going regularly to the Farmers Market. Barbara Hom, the new market manager of the Sebastopol Farmers Market is doing all that she can to get you to come back. She also wants to attract young families who are new to the area.

Barbara once was the general manager of the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena and she continues to work as a chef at local wineries. As some farmers have stopped farming or retired, Barbara is also working to identify new farmers such as Leslie Wiser of Radical Family Farms who specializes in Asian vegetables, which Barbara particularly likes. She recognizes that farmers work hard and struggle to make a living and that there are those who struggle to afford the fresh produce at a farmers market and need assistance.

She was recruited to run the Sebastopol Farmers Market and revitalize it after Covid. (The longtime manager of the Sebastopol Farmers Market, Paula Downing, passed away recently. See her obituary here.) She admits that she’s had a big learning curve and faced a lot challenges. Barbara’s main goal is to keep “the energy of farmers market” running year-round (“rain or shine”). She’s invited guest chefs to come to the market and added more international foods. She’s introduced pony rides and a petting zoo. On the Plaza stage, she has booked a diverse range of musicians throughout the year.

Barbara wants to get people coming back regularly the Sebastopol Farmers Market to once again support local farmers and food makers.

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