Supporting local businesses and farmers by buying their products is one of the best ways to invest in the future of your community. When we shop at locally owned restaurants, farmers markets, shops, banks or credit unions, more of the money we spend stays in our community. Local businesses support the local economy and local families. They are part of what makes Sonoma Valley's community unique. 

Local farms preserve open space, benefit the environment and wildlife, and produce super tasty food! Local food travels just a short distance to your table, so produces much less emissions.

Your vote is your voice. When we vote, we are telling elected officials and lawmakers how we feel about children, housing, land use, health care, and other important issues. Register here to vote in Sonoma County.

Educate yourself on the issues and tell your county supervisors and state and federal representatives what you care about. How else can they know how to represent you?

Agriculture in Sonoma Valley uses groundwater, which is in serious decline in some locations. Most water for houses in Sonoma Valley comes from the Russian River. Indoors, on landscaping, and in vineyards, most of us could use much less water than we do, so there's enough to go around for everyone, and also enough for oaks, otters, and bobcats. Landscape plants should be drought resistant native plants, with lawns only where you actually use it to picnic or play on. 

Volunteer and donate to the non-profit organizations and agencies that are working to make our community a better place. Mentor a child, clean up a creek, tutor at a school, run for office, help feed the hungry. 

Treasure trees. Plant them, keep them, let them stand when they die so that birds and beneficial insects can use them. Keep summer water away from oaks unless they grew up with it.