Cold-fighting mandarins, hand-massaged persimmons and many more unique agricultural products were highlighted on the November 13 Placer County Ag Tour.
Nearly 50 elected officials, staff and community members from across the six-county region were led by Placer County marketing guru Joanne Neft and Agricultural Commissioner Christine Turner.
While traveling up Interstate 80, Placer County Transportation Planning Agency Executive Director Celia McAdam gave an overview of the carpool and auxiliary lane projects on I-80 and the Lincoln Bypass. That was followed by an overview from county staff about a new project, Placer Legacy, to conserve open space and habitats.
The first stop was Beard Ranch,which like many small agricultural operations faces challenges that force owners to maintain full-time jobs to make ends meet. The next stop, Twin Peaks Orchardsis another small operation facing regulatory challenges.
Twin Peaks has had trouble getting approval to make and sell value-added products on their orchard.
Participants got a dose of synephrine (a natural antihistamine) at Tony Aguilar's Highland Orchard, which produces 12 acres of premiere mandarins. A recent USDA study determined that Placer County mandarins contain six times more synephrine than most citrus fruit.
Auburn rancher Dan Macon spoke to the group about the importance of identifying and training the next generation of farmers, since the average farmer is over 57 years old.
The tour also stopped by Newcastle Produce (above), a market opened to support local farms and bring food closer to consumers.
Otow Orchard, the last tour stop, specializes in Hoshigaki, or hand-dried persimmons, which are hand-peeled, hung in the sun and massaged by hand 16 times over six weeks.