This book is our way of honoring farmers, makers, chefs, community members, and families who shape this incredible place by sharing stories and traditions in a way that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Now more than ever, we believe it’s essential to uplift and preserve the people and culture that make Healdsburg unique, ensuring their legacy lives on for generations to come. This project is our love letter to the community—a tribute to its agriculture, food, and to the spirit of our hometown. Thank you for being part of this journey — Liza & Shalie
Shalie Jonker (L), Liza Gershman (R)
LIZA GERSHMAN
Author | Photographer | Creative Director
Best-selling author, award-winning photographer, and creative director whose work spans 55 countries and 47 states. A Sonoma County native, she’s proud to call Healdsburg home.
With 19 books to her name, Liza’s storytelling captures the essence of place, culture, and culinary heritage. Her book County Fair was named one of Smithsonian Magazine’s “10 Best Books About Food,” while Cuban Flavor became a #1 Amazon best-seller, sold out in three weeks, and earned a National Geographic “Top 18 Books of 2018” mention. Her writing, photography and creative direction have graced San Francisco Chronicle, Getty Images, and publications worldwide, and she was the honored curator of VSCO’s installation at SCOPE Miami Beach 2024 for Art Basel Miami.
Liza holds a Master’s degree in Literature from Boston College and has shared her expertise as an educator through teaching workshops and previously as Associate Chair of Photography at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She has been a featured speaker at Google, LinkedIn, Uber, and Disney and has appeared on CBS, NPR, Travel + Leisure, and has collaborated with Canon USA to launch some of its most iconic cameras.
Whether behind the lens, at the podium, or on the page, Liza’s work celebrates the art of storytelling and the beauty of shared experiences, community and food.
SHALIE JONKER
A multifaceted executive with a rich background in technology, agriculture, and community leadership. Shalie's commitment to local and regenerative agriculture is demonstrated through her role as Board Chairman of the Healdsburg Certified Farmers' Market. As the co-founder of Noble Goat Farm in Healdsburg, she and her husband, Jeremy, transformed a nine-acre property into a regenerative farm dedicated to providing nourishing produce to the local community. Under their stewardship, the farm has donated thousands of harvests to families in need and offers produce for sale at the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market, grocery stores and to restaurants.
Before turning her focus to regenerative agriculture and community-based food systems, Shalie held executive leadership roles in the tech industry at companies like Google and Box. She built and led high-impact strategy and go-to-market teams, with deep expertise in launching products that bridge digital and physical experiences across multiple channels. Known for her ability to grow talent and scale organizations, Shalie brings a seasoned, systems-oriented approach to everything she builds. She holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Kansas.
Executive Producer
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