HISTORY OF GREEN VALLEY
At the headwaters of Green Valley Creek and part of the Russian River watershed, Green Valley is located on the ancestral lands of the Southern Pomo, Kashaya Pomo and Coast Miwok peoples whose descendants are still active in stewardship of land. The buildings and infrastructure that can be seen here today were built by the Giovannini family circa 1890. Having lived here for several generations, the family built the many timber-framed and site-milled, historic structures that are prominent building features of this place.
PAST OWNERSHIP
After the tending by First Nations people for over a millenia, the ownership status of this place appeared to have changed hands three times before Lewis and Caroline Giovannini settled here in the late 1890’s on what came to be known as Giovannini Ranch.
Edwin Giovannini, locally famous and well-respected by neighbors, grew up in the farmhouse built by his father alongside his brother Lewis and sister Arlene. As the family expanded, so too did the number of houses. As was common in this time and area, the family was involved in agriculture and then lumber milling and constructed a mill onsite that operated until 2005 under a few different entity names. Many Giovannini family members still live in Sonoma County.
The next people to hold papers were the Windhams who bought the then 329-acre property in 1996. An investment property, they subdivided the land into many parcels, two of which were sold to Michael Paine in 2006. Under his ownership, the property became known as Green Valley Village. This community effort was spearheaded by his son and wife at the time, along with dozens of residents that tended the land and called it home during Mr. Paine's 10-year tenure.
CURRENT OWNERSHIP
On July 6, 2016 a group of partners came together to create Green Valley Farm + Mill and acquired the property. Many of the co-founders live onsite today.
Green Valley Partners, July, 2016: Jeff Mendelsohn, Josiah Raison Cain, Aubrie Maze, Scott Kelley, Jeremy Fisher and Temra Costa (in the order pictured above)
Today Green Valley partners are actively exploring ways to honor the history of this land and are seeking more information and photographs of this place. If you have access to images that you can share or see something that needs correction, please don't hesitate to contact us at hello@gvfam.com.