Peeling back history: Mandarin farm still growing after 100 years in Penryn

The farm is more than a century old. And its citrus is still winning awards.It's Highland Orchard in Penryn. The farm was named in the late 1800s. It was originally part of Penryn's Citrus Colony, and was at one time owned by Harry Butler, son of Penryn founding father P.W.Butler. After the Great Depression, Butler filed bankruptcy and the orchard then passed through several hands. In 1947 Tony Aguilar bought the land, according to the farm's website.The farm would stay in the Aguilar family for decades. Passing down to Tony's son, also named Tony.In 2015, Tony senior died. In 2017, Tony junior died. With the farm in the hands of Noreen Aguilar, Tony senior's wife, she sought a buyer.One prospective buyer drove to the land in a Bentley, but not all the way to the farm house because the driver felt the dirt road was too rocky for his expensive sedan. He did make an offer though on the 40-acre parcel with plans of tearing down the old farm house, Anthony DeMattei said, the farm's current owner. Noreen promptly contacted DeMattei to preserve the history of the farm. In 2018 escrow closed and so another "Tony" would operate Highland Orchard.DeMattei has farming in his blood. He grew up in San Jose on a farm and fondly remembers in fifth grade picking cherries and plums after school. "I loved it," DeMattei said. "To me it's like a hobby. It's always been a hobby. It's never been like a job."After graduation, DeMattei studied agriculture business at Cal Poly, he said.In 1989, the family moved to Yuba City and farmed a little over 5,000 acres. "I was going to go law school and got talked out of it by my family's attorneys," DeMattei said.And he farmed in Yuba City for almost 20 years.Now on Highland Orchard, the farm produces mandarins, olives, persimmons, pomegranates, oranges, figs and lemons.The mandarins from Highland Orchard have won awards in 2015 and 2017 at the Mountain Mandarin Festival."I have had a lot of customers say we have the best mandarins," DeMattei said.Produce can only be purchased onsite. Mandarins, however, are also supplied to three nearby school districts: Sacramento City Unified, Roseville City Unified and Western Placer, DeMattei said.The farm hosts tours, too."I think it is important for (children) to know where their food comes from, not just the grocery store," he said.What's next for Highland Orchard?Plans are to plant more mandarin, olive and cherry trees, as well as more grape vines.DeMattei has also submitted business plans with the county to have a cider and wine tasting room. He hopes to serve mandarin cider and partner with a nearby winery. "Hopefully in the next couple months we'll get it passed," DeMattei said.