Welcome to the Sonoma County Agricultural Ombudsperson’s website. Find resources on starting and running your farm/ranch below.
Kerry McGrath is Sonoma County Agricultural Ombuds and brings a broad network of relationships across county, state, institutional, and nonprofit agencies, combined with practical knowledge of the zoning, permitting, technical, and business challenges producers face. She is a resource for information on the many county, state and federal regulations that apply to commercial agriculture and, when appropriate, help producers navigate the permitting or licensing process necessary to move their operation forward. Through the coordination and delivery of workshops, individual consultations, site visits, and strategic brainstorming sessions, Kerry assists producers in exploring expansion and diversification opportunities while linking them to the broader UCCE network for specialized resources and support.
The Ag Ombuds has no enforcement responsibilities, which means they can be a safe, neutral person to explore ideas with and help producers understand the laws and regulations in order to make their own decisions. This information can help farmers and ranchers navigate a wide range of opportunities, from leasing or accessing land, starting value-added businesses, developing farmworker housing, adding agritourism ventures, opening farmstands, and selling directly at farmers markets.
Please feel free to use the form to submit questions or contact Kerry directly at kamcgrath@ucanr.edu or her direct line 707 565 2328.
Last updated summer 2026