Annual Community Harvest 2026
June 2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 12th Annual Harvest Day!
Over 100 people gathered for our 12th Annual Harvest. Among us were children as young as five and elders well into their ninth decade. Most had never harvested wheat before, but those who had, taught the new ones and we all worked effectively and joyously as a team.
Side by side, we swept sickles through the stalks and passed bundles of grain to one another. Children carried sheaves twice their size with huge grins of satisfaction on their faces. The Wronglers’ beautiful blue grass music enlivened our hands and bodies while we worked.
By midday, with over 400 pounds of Honoré Hourani cleaned and in seed bags, everyone sat together at a long crowded table to share an extraordinary meal of wood-fired pizza, fresh bread, grain salad, and beer—all made from the same Honoré Hourani wheat.
Unless otherwise credited, photographs are by: Spencer Brown
Harvest Emcee, Tom Giles and Honoré President, Elizabeth DeRuff
Lisa Kichgestner and Estella Brenneman leading the group in song
Jay Pierrepont and Bong Suh led the way to the field with refreshments
With the morning's welcome complete, it was time to harvest. Crop Adopt Partner Elise Bauer and Guy Mitchner. Photo Credit: Elizabeth DeRuff
Crop Adopt Partner Glenda Corning heading out to the field. Photo Credit: Elizabeth DeRuff
Luisely Melecio-Zambrano led a land meditation...
...inviting everyone to pause, connect with the earth, and begin the day with intention
John DeRuff demonstrating how to harvest using a sickle
The Wronglers filled the field with bluegrass music throughout the morning
The ancient shared harvesting tradition. Left to right: Henry DeRuff, Christina Lawson, Western Placer USD and Dustin Walker, Napa Valley USD
We were thrilled to welcome so many new friends this year. Photo Credit: David DeRuff
Harvest smiles. Left to right: Chiquita Woodard, Crop Adopt Partner, Ethan Stickler and Stephanie Notowish
Harvest Helper Wrangler, Kat DeRuff
Ethan, Elizabeth and John. Photo Credit: David DeRuff
Johanna Lee Lucas harvesting Honoré Hourani
Friendships forged in the field
Harvest joy written all over Luisely's face as she celebrated a beautiful morning in the field
The Wronglers brought the music, and the field became a dance floor
Honoré Whole Grain Cohort Dieticians from Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center
Happy harvesters Kathy Malaney (left) and Hélène Ellis (right)
Honoré Board member, Bong Suh, and Elizabeth. Photo Credit: Elizabeth DeRuff
Once harvested, the wheat was fed into the combine, where the grain was separated from the straw and chaff. Kelly Konis having a blast!
Freshly threshed Honoré Hourani grain pouring from the combine into waiting buckets
Clearing the straw and chaff after threshing. Peter Coyote (left) and Crop Adopt Partner Jay Pierrepont (right). Photo Credit: Elizabeth DeRuff
Peter carefully pouring the threshed grain into a new addition to the field this year - a seed cleaner
Freshly cleaned Honoré Hourani, ready for milling
As part of a USDA-funded Farm to School project, Chef Jason Hull and Chef Rebecca Polson led a culinary demonstration for our Honoré Whole Grain Cohort
Harvest helpers making the final preparations for a beautiful lunch table
Farmer John LaBoyteaux receiving the 2026 Honoré Field Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Honoré Farm and Mill
Ken Clemmer, master brewer, (left) pouring his handcrafted Honoré Hourani Helles alongside volunteer bartender Shawn Egri
Seasonal salads celebrating the best of local ingredients
Mike Zakowski and Elizabeth beside the wood-fired oven before the harvest feast. Photo Credit: Elizabeth DeRuff
Wood-fired Honoré Hourani sourdough pizza. Photo Credit: Mike Zakowski
Honoré Hourani wheat berries featured in a vibrant Mediterranean salad
The harvest ends where it began—with community. Thank you for celebrating with us