Forest Home Farms update: educational trips, volunteers and Boone House restoration highlighted

Jessica Rebar, supervisor for Forest Home Farms Historic Park, updated the commission on recent and planned work at the park and the Boone House project, emphasizing education, volunteerism and partnerships.

Rebar said the park serves roughly 3,000 students through school field trips and about 8,000 visitors yearly through free Saturday programs and special events such as Trick or Treat on the Farm and Sheep Sharing. She highlighted recent improvements including museum‑grade lighting in the 1850s barn, expansion of the organic demonstration garden and a new perimeter fence funded through CIP beautification dollars. A grant from a county supervisor's office supported recent animal‑holding‑pen upgrades.

"Forest Home Farms is a cornerstone of our community," Rebar said, noting the site's role in nature programming (birding on the Great Pacific Flyway), volunteer engagement and links to local history. Rebar described partnerships with Public Works, the San Ramon Historic Foundation and volunteers who contribute to education programs, museum collections and special events. The presentation also highlighted returning bees and a beekeeping platform built with foundation support.

Commissioners praised the programs and asked about staffing; Rebar said the site has a full‑time coordinator (Elise Lightfoot), two new part‑time staff to support education programming and a collections manager who oversees roughly 11,000 historic items. There was no formal commission action on the update.