UC Cooperative Extension's High Desert Agriculture and Environmental Issues division provides research-based information regarding crop production and pertinent environmental issues pertinent to the High Desert areas of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
While Los Angeles is commonly viewed as an urbanized county, there is significant crop production ongoing in the Antelope Valley area of the county. Alfalfa, dry onions, carrots, potatoes, peaches, grapes and nectarines are all grown commercially in the Antelope Valley. The total value of crops produced in Los Angeles County in 2001 was $258,260,000, a 3.7% decrease from 2000. Overall agricultural production has increased in the Antelope Valley since the mid-1990's due to the increase in production of vegetable crops (mainly carrots and potatoes) and fruit and nut crops (mainly peaches), in proportions of 28% and 15% respectively. Agricultural acreage of vegetable crops has increased significantly from 9,090 acres in 1999 to 11,670 acres in 2000, due primarily to the influence of the carrot industry in the Antelope Valley.
The local farm advisor works with local growers, industry and agencies to facilitate educational programs and conduct applied research to address agricultural and environmental issues facing High Desert growers. Current issues involve application of treated effluent water to irrigated crops, dust control, integrated pest management, crop variety trials and irrigation management, among others.
Currently, our LA County farm advisor position is vacant. For questions on agricultural crop production in the High Desert area of LA County, please contact:
Kern County Cooperative Extension
1031 South Mount Vernon Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93307
(661) 868-6200
Questions regarding agricultural regulations in Los Angeles County can be addressed to the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissions Office at (626) 575-5471, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The annual ANR publication manual is an important resource for UC publications . The UC ANR's monthly magazine, California Agriculture is also a great state agricultural publication.
Specific information regarding crop production, pest control and small farm resources is available at the following web sites, which are also a part of University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR).
Current Applied Field Research
Cover Crops
Forage Production
Vegetable Crop Production
Irrigation Management
Fruit Tree Production
Field Research in the High Desert
Links:
- California Irrigation Management Information System
Local weather and evaporation data from California Irrigation Management Systems in Barstow and Victorville.
- Pesticide labels
-
Soil Testing Laboratories
Other useful links:
- Web Page of the UC California Alfalfa and Forage Workgroup
- Alfalfa Varieties UC Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center
The best resource for information on handling and storage of crops after they are harvested. - UC Small Farm Center
An excellent resource for smaller commercial growers. - UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
A resource for information about low input and organic farming
From the campus to the community