California Agriculture 2012 Data

How many farms & ranches are in CA? 81,500 Less than 3.7% US farms

What is the total value of these receipts? Over 44.7 billion dollars

How many different commodities do we produce? Over 350

We produce over half of the nations… Fruits, Nuts & Vegetables Over 1/3 of the country’s vegetables and nearly 2/3 of the country’s fruits and nuts

CA is the sole producer (99% or more) of: Almonds Artichokes Dates Figs Grapes, Raisins Kiwi Olives Peaches Pistachios Dried Plums Pomegranates Sweet Rice Walnuts Ladino Clover Seed

CA leads the nation in the production of commodities. 80

Top 5 Ag Producing States: California Iowa Texas Nebraska Illinois

of the nations top 10 producing counties are in CA. 9 of the nations top 10 producing counties are in CA.

1.) FRESNO 2.) TULARE 3.) KERN 4.) MONTEREY 5.) MERCED 6.) STANISLAUS 7.) SAN JOAQUIN 8.) KINGS

Fresno County Almonds Livestock Grapes Milk Hay

Conclusion…

California is the most populated state in the nation. Things to consider… California is the most populated state in the nation. (Over 38.4 million people)

However only uses 25% of its land for farming…

all while the average farm size is decreasing… 1999 2012 330 acres 316 acres

Yet it supports 1/3 of all jobs…

Of which less than 1% are farmers…

And continues to remain the #1 agriculture producing state.

Why do you think this is

California Agriculture: Microclimates Advances in Technology Stronger Workforce Progressive to meet demands of growing population