Country Roads

Renee Kiff
Next month Healdsburg prepares and puts the finishing touches on
plans for the Future Farmers Country Fair. Pigs, moving around the
corral, fulfilling the demands of their cane-wielding young owners;
sheep, enjoying the energetic carding of their fleece; the many
varieties of fowl and rabbits; black and brown steers, washed and
dried like they just emerged from a beauty parlor — all reflect and
recall the agricultural heritage that built our town.
When your livelihood depends upon the growing of food or animal,
you need a farm supply and a feed store. Wright’s Feed, located on
Mill Street next to the Highway 101 on-ramp, has provided the
wherewithal to sustain any farm or domestic animal since 1970, when
John Wright bought the business where he had worked as a young man
for six years.
In the 1890s, the original owners were Dennis and Hague and
their feed store was located on West Matheson and Foss Street,
behind what is now the Hotel Healdsburg.
This enterprise most probably included the sale of fresh
produce, as there was a very large sink system at the back of the
store — perfect for washing fresh vegetables. John Wright recalled
that Pat Dennis, as an 8 year old, was employed by his dad as the
“sweeper,” a job which prepared him well for his adult work as vice
president of Bank of America.
In 1943 Herman Nock bought the store and it was Herman who
employed John in 1965. After three days on the job, John was asked
to be the manager.
“You know more than I do about animals and veterinary supplies,”
Herman stated.
Indeed, John did. He had been born and raised on an eleven
hundred acre Holstein and Jersey dairy farm off Starr Road in
Windsor which also included 250 registered Suffolk sheep, a
vineyard, prune and olive orchards and hay crop.
Only Vietnam would interrupt John’s connection to the feed
store. While serving in the war, John received a letter from Herman
announcing that the feed store would be sold, unless John wanted to
buy it.
John wrote back, “If I get out of here alive, I’ll take it.“
“We shook hands over the stamps,” commented John, with a
smile.
Upon his return in 1970 the store was waiting for him and he has
continued on ever since with one notable change — of location.
In 1985 the entire block that included Wright’s Feed was razed
for the new hotel and Swenson buildings. John was given ten days to
find a new location, although he knew ahead that the old block’s
days were numbered. On the eighth day he found Bob Plum’s metal
shop on Mill Street and in three days, with help from friends and
family, Wright’s Feed closed at the old site on a Friday and
reopened at the new on Monday morning in time for their 8 a.m. to
5:30 p.m., six days per week schedule which they have kept to this
day.
With the able assistance of his wife, Jan, (they’ve been married
41 years) and workers Ken Perry and Steve Trickle, the shop offers
plenty of assistance to the questioning customer who faces many
choices.
Gone are the days of Herman Nock’s two lines of feed: Purina,
the national brand, and GEMCO, a Petaluma feed. John explained that
GEMCO was Golden Eagle Milling Company and it was located at the
southern entrance of the Petaluma River. The big mill received its
grain supplies from barges that entered the river from the north
bay.
“Now, we carry 115 varieties of animal feed,” said John, shaking
his head in minor disbelief.
Walking around the store is a field trip into the world of
farming and the care of domestic animals. Everything from gerbil
cages to horse feeders are arranged throughout the shop.
Wright’s is also the outlet for Wrangler clothing and, with
Jan’s eye for western fashion, there are racks of men’s, women’s,
and children’s clothing, including leatherwear.
To experience the agricultural side of our town, even if you are
a newcomer from Connecticut or Corte Madera, look for the white
horse tied outside the feed store on Mill Street. Buy yourself a
new belt for the fair!
Renee Kiff weeds and writes at her family farm in Alexander
Valley.