by John W. Inman
California is known for its entertainment industry, its high technology Silicon Valley, and its aerospace industry. However, it is also the leading state in agricultural production in the U.S.

In 2005, California agricultural production was valued at $31.7 billion, while total U.S. agricultural production was $236.7 billion. The value of California production is greater than the combined production of the second - and third- highest producing states, Texas and Iowa. Furthermore, California agricultural exports on 2005 were over $9 billion.

California agriculture is very diverse. The state produces more than 400 different agricultural commodities. It is the number one producer of 83 different commodities, including milk, grapes, lettuce, and artichokes. California passed Wisconsin in milk production a number of years ago and is expected to pass Wisconsin in cheese production within the next two years.

The question then is this: Why is California such an agricultural Mecca? The answer lies in the state’s wide ranges of climates and growing conditions.

California has a wide range in latitudes – from 32 to 38 degrees north. The state’s elevation ranges from 280 feet below sea level to 14,494 feet above sea level. Both of these major factors contribute to the wide climatic range.

Consider these two very different growing climates in California. The warm dry summers of the state’s great Central Valley provide excellent conditions for production of warm season crops, such as cotton, rice, alfalfa, and tree fruits and nuts. The cool dry summers in the coastal valleys, such as the Salinas, Pajaro, Santa Maria and other areas on the western side of California, are perfect for production of strawberries, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli and many other cool season crops. These coastal areas have long production seasons, which allow multiple cropping during the year. 

There are three major crops – soybeans, peanuts, and tobacco – that are produced in other regions of the U.S. but not produced in California. Although there are a number of reasons these crop are not grown in the state, the major reason is economics.