When Terre Madre Americas comes to Sacramento at the end of the month, it will bring an international spotlight to the region and generate a global conversation about the future of food, agriculture, and community. Attendees can meet the people behind the food - growers, winemakers, and chefs from across the Americas. Many of those will be coming from less than an hour away in Placer County.

Visit Placer, which serves as the tourism marketing organization for the county, recently took ownership of the marketing contract for PlacerGROWN, whose mission is to connect the community to local family farmers, ranchers and vintners. Terre Madre is the perfect confluence for the region's bountiful agriculture and diverse tourism offerings.

“Placer County exemplifies the Terre Madre ethos, where food isn't just grown, it's part of a living culture rooted in community, tradition and stewardship of the land,” said Rob Haswell, CEO, Visit Placer. “By showcasing our incredible farms, ranches and wineries, food lovers will also be able to see the experiences our region offers to visitors, not just culinary offerings but also history, culture and boundless outdoor adventure.”

Organized by Slow Food International in partnership with Visit Sacramento, the event brings together producers, cooks, academics, activists, and citizens to explore food's cultural, ecological, and social dimensions. Home to more than 1,000 family farms, Placer County will have over 10 local agribusinesses represented at the event, including:

• Twin Peaks Orchards and Twin Peaks Provisions
• North Fork Chai Company
• Baroness Olive Oil
• The Baker and the Cakemaker
• Coffee Pot Ranch
• Fowler Ranch
• Foggy Dew Fungi
• Pilz Produce
• Lecavalier Cellars
• Cristaldi Vineyards

Twin Peaks Orchards in Newcastle grows about 50 different varieties of peaches as well as nectarines, plums and apricots in the summer season and veggies, apples and more in the winter on the 100-acre property in Newcastle. Camelia Enriquez, the fourth-generation farmer of the property, has been involved in the process of bringing the event to Sacramento.

“We are proud to be a Slow Food, no-till, organic, biodiverse farm,” she said. “Agroecology is our ethos, which aligns with Terre Madre's principles of good, clean and fair practices and exactly what we want to showcase to the world. Not just about Twin Peaks but for all our Placer County farming neighbors."

Terre Madre America will be held September 26 – 28 at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center and nearby venues in Sacramento. The event is free to attend.

“If you care about where your food comes from and how our local farms and producers play a role, Terra Madre Americas and Placer County are where you need to be,” Haswell said.”

For more information about Placer County's rich culinary heritage and where you can sip, taste and explore, head to the Visit Placer website.

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