The 6-county Sacramento region has a total farm value of over $1 billion, producing over $30 million of at least 11 different crops, including fruits, nuts, vegetables, livestock and nursery products. The region is a significant producer relative to California and to the nation for its signature crops: pears, prunes, rice, tomatoes, walnuts and peaches. The region accounts for between 20% and 35% of U.S. farm value for prunes and processing tomatoes, between 10% and 15% for walnuts peaches and pears and about 9% for rice.
With this rich agricultural heritage many local producers encourage farm tours to engage the public in what they provide to the community and our nation. See how the Sacramento region is feeding its residents and educating the public on sustainable farming practices.
Regional Agricultural-Based Cooperatives
Each of the following associations either offers their own guide for visiting their farms, orchards, nurseries and markets or can provide information on visiting specific farms or growers in their region. Contact each association directly for further information pertaining to their region or individual members.
Apple Hill Growers Association
Located in El Dorado County, Apple Hill is a “backroads” area that boasts more than 50 ranches including Christmas tree growers, wineries, and u-pick apple farms. During the peak season (September-November) many of the farms have crafts, entertainment, cider presses and activities available for visitors. Contact the association for the annual Apple Hill “Cider Press” guide which contains a map along with locations and descriptions of each association member. Many Apple Hill Growers Association members are also El Dorado County Farm Trail members.
El Dorado County Farm Trail Association
El Dorado County is Sacramento’s neighbor to the east. Driving east on Highway 50 towards South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County is approximately 30 minutes from Sacramento, along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Long known for its gold rush heritage, El Dorado County is also known for its bountiful production of apples, grapes, olives, and timber.
The El Dorado County Farm Trails Association represents a wide variety of farms in El Dorado County. Their Farm Trails route which offers visitors a chance to buy fresh produce and talk with farmers was recently referred to by UC Davis as being one of “two premier farm trails in the state”. Some farms offer refreshments, tours, petting zoos, and demonstrations for groups.
Placer Grown
Placer Grown is a co-operative association that represents the agricultural industry in Placer County. Placer County is Sacramento’s neighbor to the northeast. Driving east on Interstate 80 towards Reno, Placer County is approximately 30 minutes from Sacramento, in the Sierra foothills, and at the northern end of California’s “Gold Country”. Placer County agriculture is a vital industry and accounts for over $75 million in gross annual sales.
This collection of farms produces and promotes a wide variety fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products. The most popular crops grown in Placer County include rice, mandarins, tomatoes, fresh-cut flowers, and timber.
Placer Grown also sponsors the following tours:
The Mountain Mandar in Tour-Experience Placer County’s rolling rural foothills and visit their many mandarin orchards at the peak of their season. The Mountain Mandarin Tour begins in mid-November and runs through January. Also, look for the Mountain Mandarin Festival which is held each year in mid-November.
Farm & Barn Tour-Farm tour held each fall. Explore working farms & ranches, an historic country schoolhouse, wineries, produce markets and AGROart competition. Dates vary.
Sacramento County Farm Bureau
The Sacramento County Farm Bureau was established in 1917 to support the Sacramento County farming community. The top crops in Sacramento County are wine grapes, tree nuts (primarily almonds and walnuts), nursery products, pears, berries, and dairy products.
Yolo County Farm Bureau
Yolo County is Sacramento’s neighbor to the west, located at the northern tip of California’s San Joaquin Valley and encompassing California’s Delta region. The top crops in Yolo County are tomatoes, wheat, rice, alfalfa, hay, seed, walnuts, corn, safflower, melons and almonds.
Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau
Yuba and Sutter Counties are Sacramento’s neighbors to the north, encompassing much of the northern Sacramento Valley. Yuba-Sutter’s agricultural history dates back to the 1840s when John Sutter started a stock ranch in the Yuba City area that was later set on fire by vandals. However, since then people have continued to move to the region and cultivate crops due to the fertile soil and great climate. Today, the availability of water, plus long, sunny growing seasons, make Sutter County prime agricultural land. Over 93% of the County's land is classified as "important farmland" making it one of the most intensively farmed counties in California. The ten leading crops in the region include rice, beans, tomatoes, melons, alfalfa, hay, and tree crops of peaches, almonds, walnuts and plums (and dried plums). Yuba City is home to Sunsweet Growers Inc., the largest prune packing plant in the world.
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