Board of Directors

Larry Giles grew up in Port Huron, MI and Temecula, CA. He began farming at 21 after realizing that he could turn his backyard garden into a full time profession.  He and two partners learned the techniques of growing produce organically on a 100+ acre farm in Aguanga, CA.  Larry managed that farm for 4 years and sold veggies to the emerging natural grocery industry, and at farmers markets from San Diego to Hollywood.  He left to create a farm of his own, first in Hoopa, CA, then in Gila, NM, and now here in Sonora, his wife and partner Katie's hometown.  He hopes to grow food, family, and community for a long time to come.

Raised on a farm in Tulare, and a descendant of Portuguese farmers, ranchers and dairy people, Marian had to get back to some rural roots after 30 years in the Bay Area.  She and her husband Allan, whose parents were Ohio farmers, moved to Tuolumne County in 2002. While they do not have a farm themselves, they are dedicated to promoting local agriculture and to the hard working members of Farms of Tuolumne County. They are FOTC Sponsors.

Born in California in the 20th century.  Maternal Grandfather a dairy and cattle farmer in the San Joaquin valley, in the 20th century.  Graduated Columbia College in the 20th century. One son, daughter in law and 2 grandchildren.Started Golden Brodiaea Farm in the 21st century.

Raised in Berlin, WI, living in Minneapolis, MN and Denver, CO, Gretchen Nygaard has never been a farm girl! In her last lifetime she was a nurse, nurse practitioner, volunteer and mom. Needlecrafts and weaving have long been favorite pastimes, but a visit to the Estes Park (CO) Wool Market in the mid-90’s started a love affair with alpacas. Moving to Sonora in 2002 allowed the dream of owning some of these beautiful animals to become reality, and she and her husband purchased their first stock that year. The herd now numbers almost 50 and the love affair with these beautiful, gentle creatures and their magnificent fiber has grown into a passion. She hopes to introduce the public to the outstanding quality of this luxurious product and the stunning goods and garments created from it.  

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Lettie and her husband, Randy, raise cattle. She is a third generation Tuolumne County rancher. Lettie was born here and grew up in Calaveras County where she was actively involved in 4-H and FFA.  After graduating from Cal Poly with a degree in Ag Business, Lettie worked on a Registered Angus Ranch in Texas, where she and Randy met. They returned to California and managed several registered cattle herds and showed cattle nationally. They moved back to the Mother Lode and started their own custom cattle sale and show preparation service, all the while raising their own herd of registered Hereford cattle and commercial cattle. Lettie was the County Manager for the Tuolumne County Farm Bureau for nine years. About three years ago they sold the registered cows and Lettie left the Farm Bureau position to focus on the commercial herd, and providing local family ranch raised beef.

 In addition to being a board member of FOTC, Lettie is a board member of California Association of Meat Processors, a member of the Tuolumne County Junior Livestock Committee, Tuolumne County Farm Bureau and Sonora Ag Boosters.

 “Supporting Agriculture and raising good cattle have always been a passion in my life and I hope to continue to do so for some time.”

The bulk of my career has been in sales and marketing in the medical supplies industry as well as running my own executive recruiting firm for many years.

Gardening and farming have always been hobbies for my wife and I, the thing that we truly have enjoyed more than anything else.

I was given the opportunity in July of 2008 to take over the management duties at Sierra Glen Ranch when the current managers at the time decided to move out of state.

We have been associated with the ranch for many years doing various and different jobs seasonally. Now we are able to use our business skills to help build and promote the business side of the ranch as well as being active in the day to day farming.