If there is a bright spot in El Dorado County's economy this year, it may be agriculture.
Industry representatives say they are holding their own in the face of rising operating costs and a damaging spring freeze, and agritourism remains strong despite record high gasoline prices.
Bill Stephans, county agricultural commissioner, said the county submitted a request for a disaster declaration for some fruit and nut crops, as well as rangeland, following freezing temperatures in early spring.
Damage varied depending on location, sometimes within individual orchards or vineyards, he said.
"Apple Hill was hurt, and some in Gold Hill, and some in Somerset and Fair Play," Stephans said. "It just depended on where the frost set."
Nevertheless, he said, growers are optimistic about fall harvests.
Quantities may be less, due to the weather, but, Stephans said, "The quality looks good."
The 2007 Agricultural Crop and Livestock Report, released last month, puts the gross crop value for the year at $53.2 million, an overall decrease of 9.5 percent from 2006 values. The decline was attributed largely to a 40 percent decrease in timber values.
But Stephans said those values were up in 2006 because of fire salvage operations. The 2007 figures reflect a return to normal timber production, he said.
The 2007 wine grape crop also yielded lower tonnage per acre, resulting in a 12 percent decrease in production compared with 2006.
Stephans said many growers reported that grapes were smaller but of better quality, and thus yielded higher prices.
Better reporting from growers, combined with higher stone fruit crop production, led to a 43 percent increase in value in the fruit and nut category, a 157 percent increase in apiary production and a 44 percent increase in nursery values.
The estimated impact of agriculture on El Dorado County's economy totaled about $440 million in 2007, according to the report.
The wine industry contributed an estimated $187 million, and Apple Hill, about $98 million.
So far, Stephans said, he's received generally positive information about 2008 crops.
"We had a late start with the blueberry season, but it's gone very well," said Jan Bolster, owner of Bolster's Hilltop Ranch. "We've had tons of people come for picking."
Bolster and her family raise blueberries and apples and make apple wine.
The ranch is open Friday through Sunday during the summer to people who want to pick their own blueberries. Pre-picked berries also are available.
Because their property is at a higher elevation than some parts of Apple Hill, Bolster said their berries and orchards were not damaged by the spring frosts. So far, the only problem has been about a day and a half of heavy smoke from Northern California fires that slowed the ripening of berries.
Despite high gasoline prices, Bolster said she hasn't seen a decline in customers, although many now call ahead to make sure berries are available.
"We have people who have done this for years, and they keep coming," she said.
Increases in fuel and production costs have led to higher prices for blueberries this year. The Bolster ranch charges $3.50 a pound for berries that people pick themselves and $5.50 a pound for pre-picked berries.
Bolster said the apple harvest is on track for the official opening of the Apple Hill season during the Labor Day weekend.
Like the Bolsters, Boeger Winery's vineyards, off Carson Road east of Placerville, avoided serious frost damage.
"We have a lot of frost protection measures that we use," said Justin Boeger, winemaker for the family winery. "There was some damage in barbera and a little bit in chardonnay."
Boeger said he expects a lower-than-average yield from the family's vineyards this year, but that is because they had their largest crop ever in 2007 and production tends to go in cycles.
So far this summer, the wea-ther has been good, with only a few very hot days, Boeger said, adding that he expects to begin harvesting grapes about the first of September.
"I think the quality will be excellent," he said.
Gasoline prices may have had some effect on the number of people coming to the area for wine tasting, but it has not affected sales, Boeger said.
As of May, he said, the tasting room had about 1,000 fewer visitors, but dollar sales were about the same as the previous year.
Wine connoisseurs continue to come. And Boeger said, "With slightly lower crowds, they may get a nicer experience in the tasting room."
Boeger and Stephans said they were not aware of growers taking acreage out of production, though they may be more cautious about investments, given the current economic climate.
"There are worse industries to be in," Boeger said. "I'd hate to be selling SUVs right now."
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 608-7451.
