Like fine wine grapes basking in the summer sun, Placer County cannot afford to slow the growth of its agricultural marketing efforts — recession or not.

There’s too much green in these golden hills.

Last week, the county Agricultural Department announced its marketing program is on hiatus, pending a positive change in the county’s coffers. The department declined to renew marketing director Nancyjo Rieske’s contract on July 1.

Agriculture officials left open the possibility the position might be filled, but with whom, when and at what funding level? The county doesn’t know.

What is known is that Placer County is now firmly on the state agricultural map, led mostly by the small farmers and vintners in the foothills. Reducing or eliminating agricultural marketing hurts the Auburn-area economy more than Roseville’s or Rocklin’s.

From juicy mandarins to seasonal vegetables, poultry, pork, beef and just about everything else, Placer’s ag economy is vibrant and growing. Visit the farmers markets, including the weekly Saturday market in Auburn, and you’ll see sustainability in action.

According to the county, Rieske was paid an annual salary of about $70,000, but her hours and pay were reduced during a five-month extension that kept her employed through June 30.

That salary might seem generous in a time of furloughs, wage cuts and reduced benefits, but the position is a valuable one in promoting one of the county’s largest economic sectors.

In May, prior to departing, Rieske presented the county Agricultural Commission with an extensive list of projects, including grant requests, promotional events and farmer/grower relations.

It would be a shame, and foolhardy, to let such momentum die.

Mandarins, a foothills specialty, are on the verge of medical breakthrough as study continues on the benefits of natural synephrine in the fruit. Other tree and vine fruit, as well as tomatoes, peppers and vegetables, also prosper in the warm Placer climate.

Wineries and vineyard operators scored a major victory last fall with a county ordinance allowing for business expansion. To see what the fuss is about, the Placer Hills Wine and Grape Association will host the Harvest Anticipation Weekend winery tour and tasting this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

And here comes hops. As reported in Monday’s Journal, one Penryn farmer has found his microclimate perfect for growing the fragrant plant cones that give beer its satisfying, bittery bite. Local brewers are buying everything he can grow, so don’t be surprised to see other hop trellises popping up in the next few years.

County officials, including the board of supervisors, must get creative in the current economic climate. With the marketing position, ag department staff functions should be restructured to handle the highest priority projects.

Another option would be an annual internship program with UC Davis, offering the position — or at least some of the major project duties — to the best and brightest young business minds the university can provide.

Another solution would be to free up enough money through department restructuring to support PlacerGROWN with an annual grant for a part-time marketing director. Such a position, at half the salary and benefit costs of a county employee, could deliver the marketing impact for an organization that has shown it can produce the goods.

“It’s very much our desire to continue a strong agricultural marketing program in the county and have an agricultural marketing person of some sort, depending on what the budget will allow,” said Josh Huntsinger, deputy agricultural commissioner.

No matter what the budget presents, the county should find a creative way to sustain what Rieske and Joanne Neft, Rieske’s predecessor, started in 2001.

In an economy that has chewed up and spit out many small businesses, small-lot farming is thriving.

The mantra of “shop local” also applies to food, and keeping that message in front of Placer residents should be a county priority.