State of Sierra Agriculture

Round Valley, California with Sierra Nevada mountains in backgroundThe information in this study is both general and specific. Maps and statistics provide an overview of agriculture and agricultural production in the Sierra Nevada, which cuts across the normal administrative boundaries and limitations, presenting new information on the region as a whole. We would expect this overview to be particularly useful to county planners, agricultural officials, government representatives and those who represent agriculture to legislative and regulatory bodies. We also hope that the overview information is of use to farmers, ranchers, and timber operators who are trying to understand overall trends in these sectors.

The specifics in this study - specific examples, case studies, strategies, and implementation actions - are meant to be helpful to farmers, ranchers, timber operators, advocates of agricultural land preservation, open space advocates, and others supporting agriculture. Ultimately, the health of the agricultural sector comes down to the health of individual farms, ranches and timberlands. Mad cow disease, increased regulation, international competition, and low commodity prices are only a few of the many factors that make it tough to stay in business as a farmer or rancher. This report provides the foundation for agricultural operators and other interested parties to use so that - with a little bit of creativity, flexibility, and a desire for success - we can keep farmers farming, keep ranchers ranching, and keep timber operators operating in the Sierra Nevada.