Rural Roots Sunday - The Pastoral Side of Elk Grove
The value of this rural community cannot be overstated, nor should it be underestimated
“…The Rural Area is valued in our community for its aesthetic and cultural significance, as well as the economic and educational opportunities that agriculture provides. Our commitment to maintaining the Rural Area is clear and codified in core planning documents…” Elk Grove General Plan, December 2025
I am a proud rural Elk Grove resident. Like my neighbors, I cherish the extra room my acreage affords me. If you drive a mere two miles east from Highway 99, you’ll notice a landscape change. Look closer and you see the quiet streets with no sidewalks and large properties. Kids can play safely and people ride their horses on the streets. The nights are free from light and noise pollution.
Rural Elk Grove is a sanctuary from the cookie-cutter houses and urban bustle that define other cities in the greater Sacramento region. We have access to the same amenities as our more urban neighbors, e.g., ready access to shopping and medical care, good schools, and easy commutes to work. No wonder there is a demand from developers who covet the pastoral land near our rural properties.
Rural Elk Grove residents do a variety of things on their large properties. On my two acres, my back acre is devoted to a stable and riding ring for the horses. There is also an area where I have an orchard, a vegetable garden, grape vines, kiwis, and blackberries. So much can be grown on our small acreages, and I am not alone in donating our abundance to the Elk Grove Food Bank. Our neighborhood chats are filled with comments like, “Free oranges and lemons”, “Nectarines are ripe now”, and “Come pick apples!” Several of us have taken up beekeeping which aids in plant pollination and gives true meaning to the term “locally grown honey.”
The value of this rural community cannot be overstated, nor should it be underestimated. As one of the youngest cities in Sacramento County, our City Council has an opportunity to recognize and protect this rare community asset as Elk Grove continues to grow and develop. By doing so, it will help set our city apart from the others in the region.
Kristin M.
