Vendors set up booths in Nature’s Touch during month-long fundraiser

Beginning this Wednesday, FARMstead ED and the SLO County Farm Trail partners have organized a month-long event aimed at supporting local businesses, local growers, and local farmers, all while raising funds for county medical teams during the COVID-19 crisis. For the entire month of April, 15 businesses partnered with FARMstead Ed to set up small booths inside Nature’s Touch Nursery and Harvest in Templeton, with 25 percent of the proceeds being donated locally to help our medical workers who are working hard to save lives.

“There is a lot of stuff going on, but we have all got to do our part, we have to step up, and when the dust settles, we are all still going to be here taking care of each other still,” Nature’s Touch owner Melanie Blankenship said of the partnership. “No matter what, we can’t fear it, we’ve got to be smart about it and take care of people, and that is what we are all about. I know that I wouldn’t have what I have without this community continually supporting me, and it’s time for us to help support them.”

SLO County Farm Trail’s partners bring a wide variety of locally grown products ranging from olive oils, meat producers, life and self-care product companies, gelato & craft beverage makers, to farms, ranches, and nurseries. Over 15 have committed to the event to date, and more will be added throughout the month.

Those currently committed to the program are Avila Valley Barn, Clearwater Color Nursery, CP Farms, Giving Tree Family Farm, Hartley Farms, Leo Leo Gelato, Life Elements, Olea Farm, Reves de Moutons, Talley Farms, Templeton Hills Beef, The Groves on 41, Vicarious Ranch, Windrose Farm, Yes Cocktail Co, and Nature’sTouch Nursery and Harvest. (You can find the entire list of businesses on the SLO County Farm Trail here https://farmsteaded.com/pages/new-map-page-1.)

What makes this fundraiser even more special is the perfect way they found to donate their 25%, which helps both local restaurants and local producers. SLO County Farm Trail has partnered with “The Hatch” and will be donating their contributions towards the Feeding SLO Frontliners GoFundMe that owner Maggie Cameron started a week ago. 

“When Lynette called she was looking for a good partnership where she could donate their proceeds to help local health care workers and wanted to find a way to team up. So, they will be donating 25% of their proceeds that they have going on from their fundraisers to our GoFundMe page,” Cameron said. “Our GoFundMe is going to be divvied up to participating restaurants in SLO County to provide meals to health care workers with the added element that they must source each of the meals they are producing from at least one local producer, grower, baker etc.”

Cameron’s GoFundMe was created on March 25 with the goal of 50,000 dollars and is already over 18,000 in just over a week. 

The GoFundMe, which is open to the public and can be reached here (https://www.gofundme.com/f/feeding-SLO-frontliners), was created to reimburse the local restaurants who can meet the requirements of buying their ingredients from local growers.  

Products produced and grown by Farm Trail partners will be featured at Nature’s Touch Nursery and Harvest in Templeton from April 1-30 during regular business hours. 

New products from the Trail’s partners will be arriving daily, and Nature’s Touch will also continue to have their regular stock of fresh produce, dairy items, and gluten-free baked goods available for purchase.

“By purchasing these SLO County products, you’re not only helping local businesses, but you are also lending support to our community members on the front lines of this crisis,” said Lynette Sonne, founder of FARMstead ED and the SLO County Farm Trail.

Nature’s Touch Nursery and Harvest is located at 225 S Main Street, Templeton, and is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays, 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays.