Field Trip: San Joaquin Valley
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1.
Its natural climate is hot and dry.
2.
With an annual rainfall of less than 10 inches a year, California’s San
Joaquin Valley receives just slightly more rain than the Mojave Desert.
3.
It stretches from Sacramento to Bakersfield, Calif.
4.
The flatness is a key structure to the valley’s agricultural success, because
flat land is easier to irrigate.
5.
During the spring and summer months there is seldom a cloud in the perfect
blue sky.
6.
The top soil is very sandy, and almost powdery.
7.
In the spring, snow melts and runs down the western slopes toward the
valley.
8.
Irrigation water is available to virtually the entire valley through a series of
reservoirs, aqua ducts and irrigation channels.
9.
Farmers pay the state for the water they use.
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10. The California Department of Food and Agriculture lists over 250 food and
fiber products produced in California.
11. Stone fruit are named for their hard stone like pit found in the center of the
fruit.
12. Members of the stone fruit family include: peaches, nectarines, apricots,
plums, prunes, cherries, figs and olives.
13. California produces about two-thirds of the peaches grown in the United
States.
14. Nectarines, which are closely related to peaches, have no fuzz.
15. Nearly 90 percent of the nation’s plums are packed in the San Joaquin
Valley.
Accompanies: Field Trip: San Joaquin Valley
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Field Trip: San Joaquin Valley
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16. California produces 100 percent of the nation’s prunes.
17. The San Joaquin Valley produces almost 90 percent of the cherries grown in
California.
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18. Sweet cherries are harvested in May and June.
19. The olives are worth almost $60 million.
20. California ranks 2nd in citrus production, but the majority is grown for table
consumption.
21. The blood orange is named for the dark purple pigmentation of the pulp.
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22. Tangerines and mandarins are essentially the same, except the region of
origin of the variety.
23. More than 750,000 tons of lemons are produced each year.
24. Lemons are harvested year round.
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25. California leads the nation in kumquat production.
26. Pomes are fruits which carry multiple seeds in the core.
27. California produces more than 500,000 tons of apples on more than 30,000
acres.
28. Grapes are the largest of the valley’s berry crops.
29. California accounts for nearly 90 percent of the nation’s grape production.
30. The primary grape used in raisin production is the Thompson seedless.
31. California produces about 80 percent of the American crop of strawberries.
32. Kiwi fruit is native to New Zealand and Australia.
33. The major melons found in the valley include cantaloupes, honeydews and
watermelons.
34. San Joaquin Valley’s cantaloupes are harvested from May through
November.
Accompanies: Field Trip: San Joaquin Valley
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Field Trip: San Joaquin Valley
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35. The almond is actually a member of the stone fruit family.
36. About 99 percent of the nation’s walnuts are grown in California with the
major portion originating in the San Joaquin Valley.
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37. Pistachios are grown exclusively in California.
38. San Joaquin Valley pistachios are of the highest quality in the world.
39. Every vegetable available in the United States is grown in the San Joaquin
Valley.
40. Lettuce is by far the largest vegetable crop in the state.
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41. The state’s $800 million tomato crop is the largest in the country.
42. Onions and garlic are two more valuable commodities grown in the valley.
43. The Golden State produces half of the carrots in the United States.
44. California ranks second in the production of rice.
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45. The valley also produces: wheat, barley, grain sorghum and oats.
46. California ranks second in the nation for cotton production.
47. California’s largest single agricultural crop is milk and milk products.
48. California produces 2.3 billion pounds of cattle every year.
49. California produces more than 6.5 billion eggs each year making it the
nation’s leader.
50. The value of the pig crop can exceed more than $50 million.
51. The by-product of the pollination process is honey.
52. Sheep, lamb and wool production add a whopping $75 million every year to
the state’s economy.
53. Farmers plant nearly 1.5 million acres of hay per year.
54. The San Joaquin Valley is possibly the most prolific region of the world.
Accompanies: Field Trip: San Joaquin Valley
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