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Welcome to Farming in the Foothills!

There is a thriving community of small farmers and ranchers here in the Sierra foothills, and we are excited you are a part of it!

In the late 1800's and the first half of the 1900's, the Sierra foothills had a booming agricultural sector. Produce was exported nationwide and overseas. Competition from valley growers, however, as well as advances in packing and shipping technologies, contributed to a steep decline of farming in the foothills during the second half of the twentieth century.

Nevertheless in the last decade, agriculture has made a comeback due to the tenacity of farmers and their love for the land, and a burgeoning local food movement. Many small-scale, diversified farms now produce high quality fruits, vegetables and meat products for local markets. Small farms produce a wide range of horticultural crops, including tree and vine fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants. Livestock production also plays a prominent part in foothill agriculture. Many types of livestock are raised in the foothills including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, llamas, and alpacas.

While overall agricultural acreage declines, the small farm community is growing. Acreage of mandarins, winegrapes, ornamentals, as well as direct market vegetables and flowers is slowly increasing and new farmers and ranchers are joining the ranks each season. UC Cooperative Extension is dedicated to supporting the agricultural community and helping it grow and thrive through a variety of educational and community building programs.