Foggy Bottoms Boys receive farming honors

Humboldt Countybased farmers, the Foggy Bottoms Boys, have been honored as the 2023 “Climate Smart Farmers of Year,” an annual recognition awarded by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) to producers who exemplify practices that sequester carbon and promote a healthy ecosystem.

Every year, CAFF honors change-makers, trailblazers and those giving back to their local food and agricultural communities throughout California. Selected from nominations that pour in from every corner of the state, this year’s honorees represent the changing face of California farming and a commitment to equity, access and sustainability.

“From innovative farmers to grassroots organizers, this year’s honorees give us hope for the future,” said Evan Wiig, CAFF’s director of membership & communications.

For six generations, this family farm has operated in the foggy bottoms of the Eel River Valley. Today, Foggy Bottoms Boys is led by Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton, with help from their father, grandfather and even their little son. This duo is bringing new regenerative practices to their farm, while improving upon time-tested traditions. Their highly-diversified farm produces organic dairy, beef, lamb, poultry, eggs, and even yarn made from their sheep, goats and angora rabbits. From cover crops to maintaining wild habitat for biodiversity to ensuring a pasture-based approach, they pay close attention to the health of their land and animals.

Today, Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton are experimenting with new methods, such as notill to increase their soil organic matter, sequester carbon and preserve a healthy soil biome. With a strong focus on their local community, the Foggy Bottoms Boys are working hard to ensure a healthy future for even more generations to come.

“Congratulations to the Foggy Bottoms Boys,” said Wiig. “We commend them for their integrity and their commitment to ensuring a healthy food future amid a fast-changing climate.”

This year’s awards ceremony will take place virtually on Tuesday at 6 p.m. as part of this year’s California Small Farm Conference.

Community Alliance with Family Farmers has been dedicated to creating more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems since 1978.