With so much traffic, Reed can't crop-dust his cornfield anymore, he said. And even though the city says development will stop before it reaches his doorstep, Reed said he feels hemmed in. You can't spray, you can't do this, you can't do that. Chemicals are a particular sore point when farmers meet the city. In the meantime, the bugs are eating your crops.
Traffic is another problem.
Greco, who's been growing rice in South Placer County since 1972, used to think nothing of driving a tractor down Nicolaus Road outside of Lincoln. But what used to be a quiet country lane is turning into a significant transportation artery for suburbanites. It can be an unnerving if not dangerous experience, merging 15 mph farm equipment with 50 mph automobiles. Then there's the noise issue. Farmers are accustomed to plowing and harvesting early in the morning and late at night, something that might not sit well with a newcomer.