probably consumed this next produce item at let once this week. that s because it s been called america s favorite vegeble. but we like to call it a reason to get our hands dirty and meet some real potato pioneers. with their adaptability and versatility, it s wonder potatoes are a fan favorite. bad, mashed, diced, or scalloped, no matter how you slice it, from potato chips to french fries d almost anything in between, the potato has been a staple of our diet throughout history and today. and there s no denying we have a special love affair with t spuds. you know, on average, each of us will actually eat 135 pounds of potatoes a year, and in a wide variety of forms. in fact, potatoes are the leading vegetable crop in the united states, with annual total production being about 41 billion pounds. and they ve been a staple ron lehr s family farm since the 1930s.his third genetion farmer grows more th 2,500 acres of the vegetable just outside of bakersfield, and knows just what t
comg up next on california coury . it s crunch time as we dig up what goes into one of our favorite snacks. and you don t even have to leave your car to see how farming is blossoming in one part of the state this time of year. then we put the fun back ifungi with tips from an expert. it s all ahead and starts now. [captioninmade possible by california farm bureau federation] welcome to the show. i m your host tracy llers. we re in the beautiful mountains of el dorado county today, which is just a short drive away from sacramento. andhat brings us to our first story. if you re anything like me, you ve probably consumed this next produce item at let once this week. that s because it s been called america s favorite vegeble. but we like to call ththa comg up next on california country . it s crunch time as we dig up what goes into one of our favorite snacks. and you don t even have to leave your car to see how farming is blossoming in one part of the state this time o
the trade from a pro. it s all ahead, and it starts now. [moo] here in the tiny town of santa margarita, they have a population of only 1,300. but what they lack in size, they more than make up for in history. that s thanks to its legendary occupant, the santa margarita ranch, one of the oldest, continuously operated cattle ranches in california, and one that draws oohs and ahs from both its visitors and owners. the overall theme is, wow, it s pretty spectacular. most people that look at it, just go, ooh, blows you aqay. this was the most idyllic place in the county. and i really do believe, today, it is truly one of the crown jewels of san luis obispo county. i don t know that i ve ever been able to explain how i fell in love with the margarita. all three owners are local boys who knew about and had olized the ranch growing up, and leapt at the chance to purchase it in 1999, and keep it true to its rich agricultural roots. you see, the ranch was first established w
cominup on california country, take a step and sip back in time at a unique ranch. the overall theme is, wow, it s pretty spectacular. then, farming in the city? sound impossible? not for these folks. this is my land, but it s everybody s land. next, meet a farmer and a chef who make the perfect pair literally. i think pears are great because they re i like the versatility. then, ever wonder how to pick the best summertime produce? we ve got the tricks of the trade from a pro. it s all ahead, and it starts now. [moo] here in the tiny town of santa margarita, they have a population of only 1,300. but what they lack in size, they more than make up for in history. that s thanks to its legendary occupant, the santa margarita ranch, one of the oldest, continuously operated cattle ranches in california, and one that draws oohs and ahs from both its visitors and owners. the overall theme is, wow, it s pretty spectacular. most people that look at it, just go, ooh,
welcome back to california country . [jazz music playing] [indistinct chatter] do we look like we know what we re doing? san francisco is a world-renowned hotspot for great restaurants, food and chefs. but now the city is gaining notoriety for something else its community garden like alemany farm, where hundreds of people get involved in growing things. but since this 4 1/2 even longtime residents unknowingly drive right past this farm by the freeway. you know, i ve driven by this road hundreds of times. i ve never even seen this farm or heard of this farm. but it s beautiful here. the alemany farm is located basically right in the middle of san francisco. it s on the southern side of the city right next to the 280. we re lucky in that the space is so large that we have a big buffer zone between the freeway and qhere we grow. this space was basically an illegal dump. and people from all over the city would drive down alemany boulevard, pull off, and dump their re