In 1987, Summers Past Farms began when Marshall and Sheryl Lozier recognized the potential in the place where Marshall’s family had lived for more than a half century. Sheryl Lozier wanted to build a garden. Marshall Lozier wanted to build a barn. In 1992, the couple opened the gate to their five-acre farm, complete with garden plants, and a gift shop, and animals. Summers Past is a certified Wildlife Habitat recognized by the National Wildlife Federation.
Now that fall is here, Summers Past Farms is holding its Antique & Craft Fair Vendors Day at the Farm on Nov. 5 and 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 50 fine craftsman and expert artisans will be there with crafts, collectibles, antiques, and there will be a garden sale.
Sheryl Lozier said Summers Past Farms is an herb farm, with a desire and intention to inspire people to cook, grow, and use herbs.
“That was our vision in 1992 when we opened our farm,” she said. “At that time, we had a small nursery, and we had a greenhouse where we were producing plants, cuttings, seeds, and gardening. Our dream was to inspire people to garden. With that, to inspire people, we have gardens for people to walk through, visit, and see what East County grows extremely well.”
Sheryl Lozier said the farm’s customer base includes Alpine, Descanso, Pine Valley, and beyond. Located Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs, the farm’s reach is far and wide, she said.
“In East County we are so fortunate to have so much sunshine and we can grow so many things,” she said. “We are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and on Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
She said the farm also has a simple coffee bar under a “wonderful structure outside” and people gather there, and that part she loves watching, as the farm is there for the community to enjoy. “We are very kid friendly, and we are also dog friendly,” she said. “My husband Marshall is a general contractor, and he built our store. Our store is a post and timber barn. It is filled with gifts, and we provide that to the community.” Sheryl Lozier said the upcoming Antique & Craft Fair. is held outdoors on their spacious lawn area, with crafters providing a variety of things from repurposed wood items, wood crafters, pottery, jewelry, antiques, candles, bird houses, and so much more.
“Some knit different things. We have quilters. And we have a small amount of everything. We do not have an overabundance of one thing,” she said.
Sheryl Lozier has been making soaps for 30 years now. The retail store has SPF soaps, handmade herbal soaps, and for the adventurous, soap making kits. Soaps come in different fragrances with California Sunshine Body Soap, Raspberry & Mint Body Soap, Lavender, Tangerine & Oatmeal Face Soap, Gardner’s Healing Hand Soap, and many other body, face and hand soaps.
“Our soap is made of olive oil, coconut palm oil, and the reason we make soap is because people are concerned what is in their products. Making handmade soap was something I was introduced to in the early 90s. I thought it was fascinating because I am a cook. I used to cook professionally and privately, and that is what inspired me to make soap because it is like cooking,” she said.
She said, “shop local, support local,” is so true, and people love things to do with their friends and family, and Summers Past is a great place to do this. She said their yearly pumpkin patch is winding down now.
For more information visit summerspastfarms.com.
