California Heartland™


	PROGRAM - 226

Mission Farming
Each week our aim is to bring our viewers stories about the rich agricultural production generated in California. We also like to tell stories of our abundant agricultural history. We can trace the beginning of California's agriculture back to the Spanish missionaries. They not only cultivated souls, they cultivated the fertile soil as well.

Mushroom Hunt (recipe)
Mushrooms have fascinated people for centuries. That fascination extends from the gathering to the cooking of the succulent fungus. Every Spring a legion of enthusiasts, armed with baskets, hikes California hillsides looking for fungi of all shapes, sizes and textures. Pat McConahay tagged along with mushroom experts to find out how to spot safe, edible varieties.

Bel Air Winery
When you think of posh Bel Air in Southern California, you probably do not think of agriculture. You may have to search, but tucked away in that upscale neighborhood is a winery called Moraga Vineyards. There are some who claim it may be "the most expensive grape growing patch" on earth.

Loleta Cheese (recipe)
Something we often pair with a good bottle of wine, is cheese. A little known family operation in Northern California produces fourteen different cheeses. Pat McConahay stopped by to take a tour of their processing plant where the motto is "visitors are always welcome."

Orchids
We have a report that deals with a thing of beauty. It is one of the most prolific flowers with more than 20,000 species worldwide. We sent Allison Thompson to a grower in Santa Barbara to find out what it takes to harvest an orchid.

Vet School
Veterinary medicine, like human medical care, has advanced considerably thanks to the development of new technologies. The heartland is blessed with one of the premier teaching institutions in the world of veterinary care, the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at U.C. Davis. We recently observed some of the medical magic being performed there.

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