Suburban farm

Along with the outdoor dining space, the front yard is home to a dozen chickens, raised vegetable beds, and an in-ground pool (welcome during Sonoma’s hot summer afternoons) as well as a fountain.

Three large raised beds overflow with produce almost year-round. In midwinter, the harvest includes mustard, kale, cabbage, onions, and (hard to believe, but it’s true) strawberries.

A lively barter economy has grown up: For instance, Josh and Steve trade eggs for a neighbor’s homemade biscotti. “Our tomatoes didn’t do so well last year,” says Josh, “but Mark across the street had some really good ones.”