Fall is a wondrous season in the foothills.

There’s no better time to take a drive along the rural roads that stitch together our communities.

Take historic Route 40 or the Lincoln Highway that meander through Placer County’s historical farms, ranches and orchards.

Towns like Loomis, Newcastle and Colfax have found new purposes for old fruit sheds as art studios, restaurants and event centers, preserving history while creating new places for citizens to gather. Hard by the fruit sheds are the railroad tracks that helped to establish Placer County as a prime agricultural region.

This is the perfect time to take the kids or grandkids or just yourself to explore the countryside.

Along the way you may notice Placer County’s new PlacerGROWN signs that direct the way to farms, ranches, wineries and the orchards of the Mandarin Trail.

Visit PlacerGROWN’s Web site for a quick-reference guide to upcoming seasonal events. There’s a list of pumpkin patches, where you’ll also find treasures such as crunchy Fuyu Persimmons, soft Hachiyas for persimmon pudding or bread, locally-made jams and syrups, gourds and cornstalks for decorating and above all, warm hospitality.

Twin Peaks Orchards on Highway 193 in Newcastle presents Fall in the Orchard on Sunday, Nov. 8, where they’ll offer persimmon tasting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fifth-generation family farm has been providing quality fruit for almost 100 years.

Placer Land Trust sponsors an open house at Otow Orchards in Granite Bay on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. Helen Otow and Chris and Tosh Kuratomi welcome you for refreshments, demonstrations and an orchard tour.

Experience the best of our region’s art, heritage and culture during Art, Verse & Vines weekend Nov. 13-15. Enjoy PlacerArts’ 16th annual Autumn Art Studios Tour, the Cowpoke Fall Gathering:15th annual Cowboy Poetry & Music and the Placer Hills Fall Winery Tour invite you to tour artist studios, meet the winemakers at 14 boutique wineries and enjoy the foot-stomping tradition of cowboy poetry at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed.

The Mountain Mandarin Festival kicks off the mandarin season Nov. 20-22 at the Gold Country Fairgrounds. Stop by and meet the growers, stock up on the first of the season’s crop and enjoy a variety of family-friendly and fun activities. Mandarin orchards will open after Thanksgiving for direct sales, so be sure to pick up maps from the growers. Most will pack and ship fruit for you, and your family and friends will relish this gift like no other.

For an insider’s guide to farmers’ markets, restaurants, local wine and events, listen to Gary Moffat’s Double Gold show on KAHI radio (950 AM) Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Take advantage of the treasures that Placer County offers, and enjoy these opportunities to visit some of the many small farms that feed us. Not only will you appreciate the luscious taste sensations of the season, you’ll come to appreciate the passion that PlacerGROWN farmers have for nurturing and sustaining us while preserving the fabric of life of our agricultural community.

Karen Killebrew is the President of the Board of Directors for PlacerGROWN. Contact her at karen@naturemedia.net. Visit placergrown.org to learn more.