Everyone knows it takes two to tango, but how many does it take to mango? In the case of Three Dreamers Farmstand, the answer is one mother and two daughters with mutual aspirations. Although the venue doesn’t carry mangos, per se, it does specialize in a fruit with a similarly yellowish-red tint: pears, which are locally in season at the moment.
Co-owner Nikki Valko said that she, her mom, and sister had always “dreamed about owning a property together and making it truly something special,” a sentiment that would ultimately inspire the name of their farming venture, Three Dreamers.
The new farm stand held its grand opening this fall, although the family has co-owned the property it sits on for a few years. The first time they saw the site in 2018, they pretty much jumped at the chance to buy it immediately, Valko explained.
“Driving along Santa Rosa Road one day four years ago, we spotted the ‘for sale’ sign,” Valko said, adding that one of the reasons they found the property so appealing was the large barn it included.
“Struck by its bucolic setting and historic long barn, we made an offer that very day,” Valko said.
The Buellton property is also conveniently located only 3 miles away from Martha’s Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit dedicated to caring for neglected and unwanted farm animals, owned and operated by Valko and her husband.
On Sunday, Nov. 14, Three Dreamers Farmstand will host a special collaborative market event, in which a portion of some products’ proceeds will benefit Martha’s Animal Sanctuary. The event will not only feature fresh produce from the property and other nearby farms, but an array of artisanal items (i.e. potential holiday gifts) created by local artists and crafters as well.
“We wanted a place for local farmers and artists to come together and showcase their products,” said Maria Hopper, Valko’s sister and co-owner of Three Dreamers Farmstand.
Hopper believes the combination, “focusing on artisanal products as much as on seasonal produce,” will help Three Dreamers stand out as more than just a run-of-the-mill farm stand, she said.
Collaborating with several different farmers and artisans also ensures an ever-evolving selection of products, where farm stand visitors aren’t likely to have the same experience twice. Each new season will provide even more variety, Hopper explained.
“A true reflection of local agriculture is there is always something new in store and in limited supply,” Hopper said. “The farm stand is happy to feature seasonal produce and fruit grown right here by our neighbors in the Santa Ynez Valley. As the seasons change, so will our unique offerings.”
This November and December, the farm stand is showcasing local walnuts, apples, luffas, and persimmons (fresh and dried), alongside its aforementioned selection of pears, Hopper said. The farm stand debuted the bounty of its first pear season with a similar collaborative market event held in September. Following the Nov. 14 market, an additional event is already planned for Dec. 12 (both from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Each of these events prominently features organic fruits and fruit jams from local farmer Deanna King of Cosecha Farming, and lavender products from Melissa Broughton, of June Bloom Lavender. Chamomile tea and other chamomile items from Sleepy Road Farms in Ballard are mainstays at the farm stand as well.
As for artisan wares featured at the venue, the broad selection varies from paintings and ceramic art to functional art pieces, including handcrafted picture frames, jewelry, tote bags, and goat milk soaps. Featured artists and crafters include Lindy Hanly, Donna Anderegg, Veronica Medina, Danielle Ripley, and John Patterson.
Bringing together these artists came about mainly through either word of mouth or pre-existing relationships, Hopper explained, simply by “talking with our neighbors and discovering hidden talents among friends,” she said.
Hopper said the farm stand mirrors the Santa Ynez Valley in general, describing the area as a hub for farmers, ranchers, and artisans alike. One of her favorite things about living and working in the valley is the sense of community it provides, while feeling simultaneously escapist as well.
“Santa Rosa Road, Buellton, and the entire Santa Ynez Valley hold that magical balance between having all the essential comforts and feeling worlds away from everything,” Hopper said. “You can get away from it all without really leaving far too long.”
If you like piña coladas and gettin’ caught in the rain, contact Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 11-18, 2021.