Newcastle/Penryn Area:
5. Forster Ranch
9405 Crater Hill Road
Auburn, CA
Hosts: Mickey & Sue Forster
Crater Hill Road
Forster Ranch has been a family ranch since the 1850's, and was named Sunset Acres for the amazing views. Come tour the cattle and hay operations and a pomegranate orchard. Check out farm equipment displays or listen to talks on pasture irrigation and management. See stock dogs working sheep, pet an alpaca or learn about small animals from from Placer County 4-H. Sample beef from the Placer Nevada Cattlewomen or enjoy complimentary wine tasting with the Placer County Vintners Association. View Facebook photo album.
Sponsored by Placer County Farm Bureau and Placer County RCD.
6. Damiano Vineyard
8383 Wise Road
Auburn, CA
Hosts: Joe & John Damiano
Wise Road
Come join us for a tour of our beautiful vineyard. Wine tasting will be available and specialized vineyard equipment will be on display as well as handmade quilts. We will be giving two classes on starting a small vineyard in in the Sierra Foothills. Sign up for either our 11am or 2pm class. Cost for the classes will be $15 per person. Kids activities will be provided by 4H. View Facebook photo album.
7. Mandarin Hill
2334 Mandarin Hill Lane
Penryn, CA
Host: Tom Aguilar
Penryn
This mandarin orchard has been family-owned and operated by the Aguilar family since 1943. Stop by and visit with local farmers, take an orchard tour, pet the trained steers, or just relax and enjoy a BBQ lunch under a mandarin tree. Listen to history talks at 11:30, 12:30 and 1:30 or learn to bud citrus at 10:30 and 1:30. Buy your fall pumpkins and squash here. View Facebook photo album. Sponsored by Mountain Mandarin Growers' Association and Nortech Waste.
Loomis Area:
8. Golden Pond Nursery
3275 Sierra College Blvd.
Loomis, CA
Host: Sue Golden
Loomis
See spectacular water lilies and unique planting designs throughout the nursery. Stroll around the peaceful country setting and view the beautiful koi fish in the main pond and be inspired to create your own backyard water garden oasis. Pond and koi experts will be available to answer questions as well as Placer County mosquito abatement. Join our seminar on pond management at 3pm.
View Facebook photo album.
Sponsored by Echo Valley Ranch.
9. Twin Brooks Farm
3805 Leak Lane
Loomis, CA
Home of Newcastle Produce
Hosts: Francis & Jan Thompson
Loomis
Twin Brooks Farm has been a family farm since 1892. Take a tour of the farm and see the exterior of the original homestead. Learn about farm history through historic photos. Watch a blacksmithing and ornamental iron work demonstration, pick your own winter squash or make a corn stalk bundle for fall decorating. Activities will also include: tractor and implement display, flute making demonstration, local artists, and Snow's Citrus Court tasting booth. Visit the Mountain Mandarin Festival booth or get a Placer County Real Food Cookbook signed. Pick up a goodie bag from Whole Foods, our presenting sponsor. Sponsored by Foothill Farmers' Market Association. Auburn Area:
1. Machado Orchards
100 Apple Lane,
Bowman, CA
Hosts: Barbara, Gary & Shawnee Machado
Auburn
Come enjoy our family orchard and learn about our farming history. Activities include: apple juice tasting, applesauce tasting, Machado's cookbook signing by Rudy, Loomis alpacas and PlacerArts' AGROart Produce Playgarden. Orchard & kitchen tour 11am and 2pm. Face painting 11am - 2pm. Sponsored by PlacerGROWN.
2. Boorinakis-Harper Ranch
485 Dairy Road
Auburn, CA
Hosts: The Boorinakis-Harper Family
Auburn
We've been growing pears, plums and other fruits since 1918. Come learn about organic farming and beekeeping or hear IPM expert, Randy Hansen, talk about managing pests in your orchard at 11 AM. Meet our flock of friendly chickens and learn to host beneficial bats, birds and owls on your own land. Learn about home wine-making, visit the Master Composters and learn about the history of farming in Placer County with a hands-on display of old and new farm equipment. Sign up to take a class in olive-making at 2 PM and go home with your own jar of Greek-style water-cured olives (call to reserve your place 530.823.9096 or e-mail BHRanch@gmail.com). Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy live bluegrass music in our orchard. View Facebook photo album.
Sponsored by Fowler Nurseries.
3. Pine Valley Ranch
10680 Kemper Road
Auburn, CA
Hosts: Robert & Sharon Hane
Auburn
Stroll through the beautiful forest or stop and enjoy the meandering stream and quiet pond. Take a farm tour or watch demonstrations of wreath making, fly fishing and fly tying. Learn about stream and salmon habitat restoration. Visit the ranch shop or check out Connie Chadwick’s pottery. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase a hot dog and relax on the shaded patios and lawns. Kids activities will be provided by 4H. View Facebook photo album. Sponsored by Sierra Pacific Foundation.
4. Villa Fiorente
10555 Harris Road
Auburn, CA
Hosts:
Lisa Mann
Fortezza Winery
Michael Duarte
Popie Wines
David Brockman
Cristaldi Vineyards
Joe Ciotti
Ciotti Cellars
Auburn
Villa Fiorente hosts four unique wineries in in one beautiful location. We will have grape stomping, barrel making demonstrations, and great local wines to taste. Wine tasting $5 per person. Each winery will be offering one wine for free tasting. Local artists Nancy Holtz and Vivian Justus will be showing their art. Tsuda’s Old Town eatery will be offering samples and selling snacks.
Sponsored by Tsuda's Old Town Eatery.
