“ Frankly , because it ’ s so warm , what has impacted it is we never had citrus in October ,” Annie says . “ It ’ s usually the second half of November and like ( around ) Thanksgiving before we start selling . I didn ’ t even imagine we were going to be ready to have mandarins . This is the earliest ever .”
The area ’ s citrus farmers say they are surviving despite the early harvest and the coronavirus pandemic , and they appreciate their customers ’ loyalty . As farmers and event organizers adapt to climate change and the ongoing spread of the pandemic , mandarins have offered a bright taste of normalcy during such grim times .
Mandarin sales are soaring
About 260 acres of mandarins were harvested in the rolling hills of Placer County in 2018-19 , according to Corrie Larsen , deputy commissioner of the Placer County Agricultural Commission . Mandarins were valued at an estimated $ 3.3 million in the county ’ s 2019 crop report .
Carol Arnold , CEO of PlacerGrown , an organization that connects residents with locally grown produce through farmers markets , says there are more than 80 mandarin growers in the county , and fresh produce sales were higher in 2020 than previous years .
“ It ’ s kind of like making lemonade out of lemons ,” Arnold says . “ I would say that the most surprising , marvelous thing that has happened is how flexible and adaptable the farming community has been . Their willingness to cooperate with a wildly changing regulatory environment has been amazing .”
She says mandarins are crops that are naturally more bountiful some years , with 2020 yielding a heavy crop , and last year also had high demand from customers seeking natural ways to combat the cold and flu season during a pandemic .
With more than 800 mandarin trees over multiple orchards , Rich Colwell of Colwell Thundering Herd Ranch in Penryn says he has experienced this
John Bowler sorts mandarins at the Flower Farm in Loomis . About 260 acres of mandarins were harvested in Placer County in the 2018-19 season .
“ It ’ s kind of like making lemonade out of lemons . I would say that the most surprising , marvelous thing that has happened is how flexible and adaptable the farming community has been .”
Carol Arnold , CEO , PlacerGrown
increased demand for fresh citrus , so he pivoted his marketing strategy to include online orders as well as more outreach to high-end markets such as Corti Brothers in Sacramento and Oliver ’ s Market locations in Sonoma County .
“ We have switched this year to more wholesale , and we ’ re willing to drive farther than we would typically drive , because we know there ’ s going to be demand in those places for our product ,” Colwell says . “ We ’ re having a very good year . The fruit is good , it ’ s heavy , it ’ s sweet .”
By adjusting to a wholesale strategy , Colwell ’ s mandarins reached as far as Berkeley and San Francisco this season . To him , nothing beats Placer-grown citrus . “ We are known statewide in Placer County for producing very high-quality and tasty mandarins ,” he says . “ It ’ s a family affair , and it ’ s a labor of love . … Our fruit just flat-out tastes better .”
Usually , the high quality of the local mandarins are showcased at the annual Mountain Mandarin Festival , held over three days at Gold Country Fairgrounds and Event Center in Auburn . Executive Director Gary Gilligan says the event , which normally attracts about 30,000 people and 250 vendors and features five stages of entertainment , had to make adjustments this year due to the pandemic .
Gilligan worked with the Placer County Department of Health to include an
January 2021 | comstocksmag . com 33