Folktale Country Homestead, Betty Massey will a be part of annual farm and ranch tour

The 14th Mariposa Farms and Ranches Tour is fast approaching. Several locations will be featured on the tour.

The tour is set for Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at five locations: Foxtail Farm, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Folktale Country Homestead, Betty Massey’s Water Catchment and Aurum Vineyard.

Folktale Country Homestead is a diverse, 220-acre ranch and family homestead that is regenerative, sustainable and 100 percent organic.

Meibao raises cattle for beef, a pig for meat and lard, goats for meat and milk, and chickens for eggs. All manure for the compost is considered “black gold.” Therefore, all farm animals are fed strictly organic food.

Being in Nature’s Flow is living in concert with all wildlife. This requires letting them be and eating whatever the local wildlife do not like, which is arugula, mustard greens, kale, collard greens, sorrel, green onions, garlic, tomatoes, chili peppers, mint, oregano, sage, nasturtiums, calendula flowers and lavender.

There is also an orchard with many different fruits that are dried or made into jams and jellies.

Meibao teaches young people to work with their hands by showing them how to slaughter and process animals for meat and lard, and how to tend gardens and orchards with no pesticides or herbicides.

Meibao also runs a unique bed and breakfast for those interested in staying a few days to learn about living an organic lifestyle in the country. Breakfast consists of foods that are grown on the homestead and/or made from scratch.

For more information about Meibao, visit her website at Folktalefamilyfarm.com

Betty Massey was a past tour participant when her rainwater catchment system had just been completed.

Then, the Oak Fire in 2022 totally changed everything when four of the five storage tanks, along with a solar array, were destroyed. Now everything has been replaced and updated.

Since that time, the asphalt roofing has been removed while a tin roof and a larger covered gutter have been installed.

A lot of lessons have been learned along the way. It is an amazing rainwater catchment system.

There is also a beautiful koi pond complex that Massey and her husband built that is an awesome relaxing and calming spot. There is an area where there are various native plants which have fully rejuvenated after the fire to enhance the rural landscape.

Through the years, Massey has become quite an expert and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge.

Massey has researched and developed ways to collect and filter the rainwater. She is eager to share this information with visitors.

The Farm to Fork Dinner is Oct. 9th from 5-8 p.m. at Casto Oaks Family Winery. The menu is now on the MariposaFarmsandRanches.com. Purchase tickets online or at Casto’s Wine Tasting Room before Oct. 7.