El Dorado County Local News: Agriculture, Food & Gardening


All Local Agriculture, Food & Gardening News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: California’s farm workers help feed the whole country.
How California Feeds the Country

California stands as America’s agricultural powerhouse, growing half of its fruits and vegetables. Here’s how California farming has shaped the state, from the early missions to today’s “factories in the field.”

Image caption: The 1965 law known as the Williamson Act has been responsible for keeping about half of California's farmland out of the hands of developers.
The Williamson Act: How the Law That Protects California’s Farmland Works

The Williamson Act, passed in 1965, now keeps more than 16 million acres of farmland out of the hands of developers. Here's how the law puts the brakes on the development of California agricultural properties.

Image caption: Since the Gold Rush era, land reclamation has cost California 90 percent of its wetlands.
How Land Reclamation Hurts California’s Environment

Since the Gold Rush era, land reclamation projects have helped to build California, but they are also damaging the state’s environment for people, plants and animals by eliminating essential wetlands.

Image caption: How California reclamation districts turned millions of acres of wetlands into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush.
Reclamation Districts: Turning ‘Swamps’ Into Farmland

California has used reclamation districts to turn millions of acres of unusable swamps into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush. Here’s how it happened.

Image caption: Dairy products are California’s top agricultural commodity, but the industry is often criticized for its impact on the environment.
Sustainable Sustenance

California is a leading producer of agricultural crops. So it’s not surprising to find cutting-edge ideas taking root here.

Image caption: RCDs look after the land, whether it’s used for grazing, growing, or getting out into nature.
California Dirt

What do resource conservation districts protect? Pretty much everything that’s worth saving.

Folsom Times logo From Folsom Times...

03/10/2025
Image for display with article titled Garden Club Gears Up for 23rd Gardens of Folsom Tour

Tickets go on sale for annual event April 1 at various locations, online.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/08/2025
Image for display with article titled Heavenly Ski Patrol Helps Bread & Broth Feed Community Members

If you are a member of Heavenly's Ski Patrol, serving others is just part of your job responsibilities. On the slopes, ski patrol members are constantly on watch for unsafe skiing conditions, assisting skiers and boarders, and helping make sure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe day on the slopes. Wanting to serve others is second nature for the members of the Heavenly Ski Patrol.

Folsom Times logo From Folsom Times...

03/07/2025
Image for display with article titled Limited Tickets Now on Sale for Historic Folsom’s Sip & Stroll

Wine enthusiasts and weekend adventurers can now secure their spot for one of Historic Folsom’s most anticipated events of the season. Tickets are officially on sale for the annual Sip & Stroll, set for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain Democrat...

02/28/2025
Read on to learn how you can help fight hunger in El Dorado County at the 25th annual Empty Bowls Dinner in Placerville on March 8.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain Democrat...

02/28/2025
If you are an El Dorado County agricultural land owner, the Local Work Group meeting on March 17 is where you can give input or make requests to the El Dorado & Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District representatives. Read on to learn more.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

02/24/2025
The governor vowed to clear the way for more groundwater recharge. Has it worked? “We’re still tinkering around with small numbers,” one expert says.

Folsom Times logo From Folsom Times...

02/21/2025
Image for display with article titled Hand4Hope Combats Hunger With 25th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner

Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference will serve soup and smiles while combating hunger at the 25th Empty Bowls Dinner. For the 25th year, Empty Bowls Dinner will offer the community a chance to gather, enjoy a delicious meal, and raise funds to fight hunger in El Dorado County and beyond. The event will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in the Forni Building.

Folsom Times logo From Folsom Times...

02/05/2025
Image for display with article titled Folsom Food Bank Collects Over 1,200 LBS of Citrus to Feed Community

Each year, as citrus trees across the region reach their peak, many homeowners find themselves with an abundance of fruit they can’t use. Rather than letting these backyard harvests go to waste, dozens of Folsom and El Dorado Hills residents have stepped up to donate their excess produce to Twin Lakes Food Bank, helping to provide fresh, nutritious food for those in need.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

02/04/2025
Image for display with article titled Soroptimist International of Sierra Tahoe Sponsors Lasagna Love Dinner at Bread & Broth

Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra will join with six cooks from Lasagna Love to sponsor B&B's Adopt A Day of Nourishment, Monday, February 10, and provide a special themed meal for regular guests and any interested community members. Grace Hall at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1041 Lyons Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, is the host site from 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Folsom Times logo From Folsom Times...

01/31/2025
Image for display with article titled Striking the Right Balance: Supporting Sidewalk Vendors While Keeping Our Community Safe

Last week, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors took a big step forward—we unanimously passed new regulations for sidewalk vendors. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was an important one. These rules are all about finding that sweet spot: supporting the hardworking folks who run these small businesses while making sure our neighborhoods stay safe, clean, and fair for everyone.

Folsom Telegraph logo From Folsom Telegraph...

01/30/2025
Image for display with article titled El Dorado County Fair Announces 2025 Theme

The El Dorado County Fair Association Board and staff announced this year’s theme: “Moovin’ ‘n Groovin.’ ”
Fair CEO Kathy Dunkak explains the theme is selected through a collaborative process, with suggestions welcomed throughout the year and a final vote from the entire staff.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain Democrat...

01/29/2025
Read on to learn more about the University of California Master Gardener program and the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

01/28/2025
Image for display with article titled Soroptimist, STHS S-Club Host Bread & Broth Monday Meal

Deeply involved in ongoing service to the community, the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) sponsored Bread & Broth's Monday Meal on January 13th. With their mission of enhancing the lives of women and youth in their community, they invited members of the South Tahoe High School's S-Club to represent the organization at their Adopt A Day of Nourishment sponsorship meal.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/21/2025
Trump apparently wants to override new Biden-Newsom rules that have widespread support among Southern California cities and some Central Valley farmers.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

01/15/2025
Image for display with article titled First City Council Meeting of the Year Sees Vision Zero, Commission Appointments, and in-Home Kitchens

South Lake Tahoe's first city council meeting of the year addressed the Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic accidents in the city, citizen appointments for city boards and commissions, and a back-and-forth regarding microenterprise home kitchen operations.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

01/08/2025
Image for display with article titled Tahoe Chamber, Bruschetta Present the ‘Connect for a Cause’ Crab Feed

Get ready for an evening of indulgence and community spirit as the Tahoe Chamber and Bruschetta proudly present the Connect for a Cause Crab Feed. This exclusive dining experience will take place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Bruschetta and promises to bring together the South Shore community for a night of delicious food, meaningful connections, and unwavering support for local causes.

California Local Pin Marker From Local News Matters...

01/03/2025
Those in California who’d like a latte with a side of weed have gotten their wish now that a new law goes into effect that permits licensed cannabis dispensaries to add sit-in cafes to their sites.  

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain Democrat...

12/27/2024
Read on to learn about the study of nonlethal means of protecting livestock from mountain lions underway by a coalition of universities and government agencies and how livestock owners can apply to participate.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

12/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Heavenly Mountain Resort Helps Bread & Broth Feed the Community

During 2024, Heavenly Mountain Resort hosted six Bread & Broth Adopt A Day of Nourishments thanks to Vail's Epic Promise Grant. The Vail grant funds are awarded annually to non-profits in the communities where Vail Resorts are located, and Bread & Broth has been the grateful recipient of Vail funds to host 12 Monday Meals annually since 2011.