The total crop value for the "Top 10" agricultural products in Yuba County was $212.9 million in 2011, or an 8.9 percent increase over the yields of the prior year. The latest crop report presents the first  time in reporting history that the total value has exceeded $200 million. In both 2010 and 2011 the top four commodities remained the same, rice, walnuts, prunes/dried plums, and cling peaches. Due to Shoei Foods, Inc., and other growers and processors, walnuts amounted to over 25 percent of the top ten agricultural products.

Direct and indirect contributions of agriculture to the local economy in 2011 amounted to $866 million according to the Agricultural Commissioner's office. Yuba County's agricultural exports have risen in recent years to include over 30 countries.

Read the 2011 Crop Report, or visit the Yuba County Agricultural Department.

Yuba County, in coordination with Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation, offers a long-term, low interest business assistance loan fund program for businesses starting or expanding in Yuba County.

The program is designed to fill the financing gap between private debt financing and private equity. Funds are available for building or land acquisition, working capital, inventory, equipment, supplies, marketing or other ongoing business or start-up costs and are provided to create economic benefit in Yuba County through the creation of jobs. 

For more information or for a loan application, contact Loan Officer, Jackie Slade at 530.751.888 or online.  

Apollo Olive Oil in Oregon House is among the few processors in California certified for both organic and extra virgin olive oil production. Some of their orchards date back to the 1870's and the vacuum mill used in Apollo's manufacturing process was custom designed in the region of Tuscany, Italy. These factors, along with a varied climate in the Yuba County foothills, have contributed to a blue-ribbon product.

This year the Sierra, Barouni and Coratina varieties won gold medals at the Yolo County Fair, the Barouni won gold at the Los Angeles Fair, and the Mistral won gold at the California Olive Oil Council's (COOC) competition.

Learn more about locally grown, milled and bottled award-winning olive oil here.

Nearly 1.8 million have attended concerts at Yuba County's outdoor venue ranging from up-and-coming pop star Britney Spears in 2000, to BB King.  This year an eclectic range of guests include Brad Paisley, July 26, Iron Maiden, August 4, Big Time Rush, September 21, and Jason Aldean, September 21.

For more information about the Sleep Train Amphitheatre or to purchase concert tickets, visit here.   

Coordinated by the Yuba County Parks and Recreation Program, the Aquatic Swing and Summer Swim Program is available, visit here for locations and availability.

Scenically located on the Yuba River, Sycamore Ranch at 5390 Highway 20, is Yuba County's newest RV Park and Campground. For access information, visit here.

The 2012 Hotel-Restaurant and Recreation pocket tourism guides are available at government centers, the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce, Fairgrounds, and Yuba County Library. For more information, visit here.

Sleep Train Amphitheatre Opening Day in 2000

Ag Tour Showcases Local Food

Farms and Ranches Revel in Foothills Produce and Planning

On May 29, about 20 community leaders boarded a Yuba-Sutter Transit bus from the Government Center parking lot to explore the rich agritourism opportunities located within the Yuba County foothill communities.

 

Coordinated by "North Yuba Grown" and supported by the Yuba County Economic Development Advisory Committee, the tour included stops and visits to Lucero, Clos Saron and Renaissance vineyards, and Oregon House, Hawthorne and Hacienda Del Lago operations. The event concluded with a "five-mile dinner" in the Alcouffe Center at the end of the day. All the food served was grown and processed within a few miles of the meal. Board Chairman Hal Stocker and supervisors John Nicoletti and Roger Abe participated in the agricultural tour.

 

 Local food proponents in Dobbins-Oregon House held a Town Hall at the Alcouffe Communitiy Center on June 13 to update the community on several agricultural projects aimed at establishing the North Yuba region as a premium food and wine destination. About 50 residents discussed progress on the following projects:
 

Choice of the name "North Yuba Grown" for the local food project and also as a "brand"

Launch of weekly "Local Wine, Food, Art" events hosted by the Alcouffe Center Saturdays noon to 3:00 pm, featuring gourmet local-food menus and rotating art shows

Development of Farm Trail maps to direct visitors to local wineries and farms

Creation of a Local Food Producers' data base; the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has offered to assist in this project

Openings of the Grange Farmers Market in Dobbins and the Brownsville Farmers Market; managers of both markets volunteer for the North Yuba Grown project

 

Additionally, a survey was circulated to collect data on local consumers' grocery spending patterns, including fuel costs.
One of the goals of the local-food movement is to keep more grocery dollars in the local community by encouraging both the supply side and the demand side of food production and food retailing within the community.  
 

Those interested in learning more can visit www.northyubagrown.org or join the new, ag-related online discussion group, northyubafood@yahoogroups.com.

 

Hawthorne Farm serves Lavender Lemonade