The 6th Annual Race to Slow the Pace

More Than a Finish Line

Each September, California Farmland Trust invites our community to lace up their running shoes and experience agriculture in a different way at Race to Slow the Pace, named for our mission to slow the loss of farmland to development and other non-agricultural uses.

On September 13th, about 200 runners, walkers, families and friends gathered at Bokisch Vineyards for the sixth annual 5K and 10K. The course wound through the vineyards and working agricultural landscape of Lodi, giving participants an up-close view of the land our farmers depend on and a firsthand reminder of why it’s worth protecting for generations to come.

Whether they were chasing a personal best or simply enjoying a morning among the vines, participants of every age and pace made the day their own.

But the race has never been just about the miles.

After crossing the finish line, participants stayed to enjoy brunch, local wine and music, along with the chance to connect with neighbors, farmers and the broader agricultural community.

The celebration also featured a farmers market sponsored by Dwelley Family Farms, which brought fresh, locally grown produce directly to participants. Farming in Brentwood since 1921, the Dwelley family has grown a small operation into a 2,500-acre farm producing sweet corn, cherries, tomatoes and more, and they share our commitment to connecting people with California agriculture.

It’s exactly what Race to Slow the Pace is all about: enjoying the land, meeting the people who grow our food and celebrating the agricultural community we’re working together to protect. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we’ll see you at the starting line next September!