2023 Summer Speaker Series

5:30-7:30PM
Forest Home Farms, Walnut Barn

Attendance is by invitation only and invitations will be emailed to SRHF members and selected guests on the first of each month.

Friday, June 23 – GROWING UP ON THE WIEDEMANN RANCH

The San Ramon Valley has had a more-than-200-year-old history of ranching which included the Wiedemann Ranch — a working cattle ranch today.  It all started with Christian Wiedemann, one of the early pioneers of San Ramon.  He sailed from Eckenforde Germany to San Francisco in 1855.  He found work there before coming to San Ramon in 1867 and built the home where it still stands today. He used the skills he had developed and picked up along the way to make a living here, through varied animal production, and use of resources on the land, and more.  The ranch grew and more crops were introduced by the next generations.  

So, do you ever wonder what it was like growing up on a ranch in the San Ramon Valley?  We are honored to have three Wiedemann siblings to present what a wonderful place it was to grow up on a ranch and still is today. The whole community involvement was key to the fun and the work.  They had unique experiences and interesting neighbors like the Norris family.  They would go on occasion to San Francisco for a big night out.  Hear first-hand about life in the early years of the San Ramon Valley through stories from our presenters.

Our speakers – Siblings Roxanne Wiedemann Lindsay, Jeff Wiedemann and Sandee Wiedemann

Roxanne, Jeff, and Sandee are direct decedents of Christian Wiedemann, one of the 1860’s pioneers of the San Ramon Valley.  Today, the five generation Wiedemann Ranch is an historic cattle ranching operation.  Fourth-generation rancher Jeff Wiedemann said that although the tools and methods of the Wiedemann ranching may have changed, love for the land and the work hasn’t.  Roxanne, who lives in the house her great grandfather built, still has a love for animals and raises them to take to the fair each year.  In addition, she is known for her role on the SRV Fire Board.  Sandee’s two passions are volunteering for the board of Shepherd’s Gate and serving our Veterans as an expression of appreciation.   Jeff’s participation has involved the Cattlemen’s Association & Farm Bureau.  Each generation of Wiedemanns has been involved in serving the community in a variety of ways and continue to do so by taking part in 4-H, SRV Museum, Cattlemen’s & Farm Bureau, and other community functions.

If you missed the Wiedemann Siblings presentation, you may watch the VIDEO here

Friday, July 28 — THE AMAZING HONEYBEES: THEIR LOCAL HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE

The local honeybees we see today that produce the delicious treat for our food and drink were not always present in the San Ramon Valley. Learn how and when they may have arrived here and their importance in the early years of local farming and value to our modern society. Learn what it takes to produce just a single teaspoon of honey for your morning tea or coffee. Hear about the daily struggle for honeybees to survive and what you can do to help them. 

The story of honeybees and beekeeping in America may have begun in the early 1600s with their arrival from Europe but it was nearly 250 years later before they survived the journey west to our valley.

Our Speaker, Mark Armstrong

Mark Armstrong is a 19-year resident of San Ramon who was born in San Francisco and raised in Palo Alto. Following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1981, he served 30 years in the U.S. Army in a variety of command and staff assignments in the United States and abroad. He then continued his public service for another eight years managing disasters with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), retiring again in 2018. 

In 2020, he was appointed to the San Ramon City Council for District 2 which includes South San Ramon and Forest Home Farms. He was elected to a second term on City Council in 2022 and currently serves as Vice Mayor for the City of San Ramon.  Mark began his hobby of beekeeping in 2018 and manages several hives in the San Ramon Valley, East Bay, and Peninsula.

Friday, August 18 – MEET THE SHEPHERD AT FOREST HOME FARMS

If you drive down San Ramon Valley Boulevard, you might see a pasture of sheep enjoying the sunshine at Forest Home Farms.  How did they get there?  What is the history of sheep in our Valley?  We are fortunate to know just the person who can give you the insight into these questions – Patsy Galati, our shepherd at Forest Home Farms. 

Patsy will shed light on the shepherd’s role in caring for those adorable sheep and the importance of the sheep at the Farm.  In addition, you will learn about the partnership between the sheepdogs and the shepherd, including an actual sheep herding demonstration.  And you might get to meet one of those adorable sheep face-to-face.

Our speaker – Patsy Galati

Born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky, Patsy Galati’s, experience began as a child herding her family’s goats and cattle with her Border Collie on horseback!  She married her love of her life, Joe, in 1968, and eventually moved to the San Ramon Valley in 1984.  Patsy manages her horses, sheep, and ducks at Forest Home Farms with the help of Joe, community volunteers, City Staff and, of course, her faithful Border Collies. 

Patsy and her animals participate in many programs and events at the Farm to give us a glimpse into San Ramon’s past.  These include wool processing, sheep demonstrations, and animal tours to mention a few.  And of course, she can be seen on the Farm daily to feed her precious animal family.  If asked why she is so involved at the Farm, she would respond, with a smile on her face, “I am a country girl still living a dream!”