#75 Almonds, Livestock, Fruit
& Fresh Veggies
Maisie Jane's California Sunshine
1324 Dayton Road
Tours: 530-899-7909
Blue Diamond Nut & Gift Shop
703 Miller Ave.
530-895-1853
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California State University Farm
South on Park Ave.
toward Durham
Turn right on Hegan
Hrs: Mon.-Fri., 8-5
Tours 898-6343
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Golden West Nuts Harvest Shop
3767 Hegan Lane
530-345-3352
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TJ Farms
3600 Chico Avenue
530-343-2294
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Book Family Farm
Hwy. 99 south
530-893-3139
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As one of the fourth generation of almond growers, Maisie Jane turned a high school FFA project into a na-tionwide business, and in 1999, was the first woman to win the N. American Collegiate Entrepreneur award.
A visit to her shop gives one a good sense of the history of the almond business. You'll see her great grandfather's almond draper, an old maul (used to knock the nuts from the trees), a photo series of then/now, and even an armoire taken from Annie Bidwell's garage that is now used for displaying almond products. Also on display are 14 varieties of almonds and six varieties of walnuts.
The best thing about going in February to Golden West Nuts Harvest Shop, after you've sampled the goods, is looking at the beautiful almond orchards in bloom across from the shop. The grand and glorious blooming almond orchards are the first signs of spring in the area.
Providing CSUC students with hands-on experience in both crop and livestock management, the University Farm (1,000 acres) offers tours providing visitors with a good over-view of Sacramento Valley agriculture. The farm's Meat Lab prepares beef, lamb, and pork for sale to the public and is known for its large assortment of recipes, sausages and jerky.
We used to go to Grandpa's farm in southern Indiana and pick our sweet corn for Grandma's supper. Nothing ever tasted better-partly because it was fresh from the field and partly because we'd picked it ourselves. We've found a place that's a close second to that experience.
TJ Farms allows you to pick your own or to purchase what they've picked. Either way, the veggies are always fresh and delicious, and there's a good feeling about getting them at the farm. The following is a good general time frame for ripe fruit and vegetables: Ollolaberries & Boysenberries in June; Cucumbers, Corn, Red Onions, Cantelope in July-Aug.; Watermelon Aug./Sept.; Pumpkins & Banana Squash in Oct.; & Kiwi late Oct./Nov.
At Jack-O-Lantern time, you can wander through TJ Farms' Pumpkin Patch to select just the right "head." You can also view the quail pen or slip into the sales room for a free sample of their Kiwi concoctions.
Another popular place in October is the Book Family Farm where you can take a ride in their horse-drawn wagons or enjoy their outdoor sculptures which inspire quizzical stares. There is a small admission charge at Book's.
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