Macon family keeps agriculture tradition alive in Placer County
Written by Don Chaddock
Dan Macon, of Flying Mule Farm, sells radishes to Gail Mackenroth, right, at the Old Town Auburn Farmers Market on Saturday.
Dan Macon is an easy-going guy with a dark bushy mustache who originally hails from Sonora. The 41-year-old father of two wears a hat reminiscent of another era to keep the sun out of his eyes as he banters with customers at the Saturday Farmers Market in Old Town Auburn.
His family businesses – The Flying Mule Farm and Highland Farms – are also reminiscent of a time from the past, but as Macon likes to point out, there is a wide variety of agriculture in Placer County, and he’d like to keep it that way for future generations.
Placer County is perhaps best known for its mandarin harvest, but there are still active farmers and ranchers raising all kinds of food served in kitchens across the county.
To be or not to be a “city?” That is the question some Colfax residents are asking after the abrupt resignations of two city council members, the controversy surrounding Colfax’s sewer plant and the hefty fines imposed on the city related to that plant.
On Tuesday night, well after the Sentinel’s press deadline, the head of the Placer County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) was slated to make a presentation to the City Council and residents about the process to dissolve the city government.
Area wine makers – including the Viña Castellano Winery on Bell Road – are expected to begin applying for permits that will allow them to provide wine tasting at their vineyard locations. Photo by John McCreadie.
Supes unanimously approve on-site wine tastings
County supervisors received cheers from winery owners and their supporters Tuesday after delivering a 5-0 vote in favor of a new winery ordinance that will allow Placer County vintners to open wine-tasting facilities on their farms during regular business hours.
The vote follows two years of county planning, more than 13 public hearings and a surprise delay last month as the proposed ordinance pitted winery neighbors against winery owners.
The new ordinance immediately impacts the 10 approved wineries in the county by providing specific laws governing winery operations and by simplifying the permit process, especially for smaller wine producers.
Biscuits & Gravy - County will not get stuck with Colfax tab
Written by Don Chaddock
COLFAX CORNER – The City of Colfax may be battered and bruised after recent developments, but it is just one entity. If the proponents of the dis-incorporation movement are successful, the city will be disbanded and new levels of bureaucracy created to fill the void and offer the necessary services to the residents of that fair town. According to Placer County Executive Officer Tom Miller, all these new agencies and service districts would be paid for by the residents of Colfax and through developer fees in that area (and if you look at development in Colfax, it’s almost nonexistent).
