Delta programs go over the importance of agriculture

By J.J. Mosby

The day begins at dawn for most farmers in the area. They’re going into their fields, checking the crops, and evaluating their progress. The region’s natural beauty surrounds them while they work, from the giant vineyards of almonds and cherries to the lush fields of tomatoes and asparagus. 

For years, Stockton has been described in California’s central valley as the “agricultural heart,” and for good reason. The city is home to some of the finest fertile land in the world, and agriculture has a significant role in its economy, cultural life, and community. 

“The Stockton area, specifically San Joaquin County, one of the reasons why agriculture is so big and so popular here is because we have the unique soil structure because of the Delta,” said Jessica Cardoso, an agriculture professor at the Delta College farm in Manteca. “Having that Delta soil, we get all the soil runoff from the mountains, so all the nutrients that collect in the Delta make the Stockton area particularly fertile, and the soil structure is particularly suitable for growing crops.” 

Another important factor is the infrastructure that supports agriculture. Stockton is home to many food processing and distribution sites and many businesses involved in transporting agricultural products on the market. They also play an essential role in ensuring that the region’s agricultural produce is of higher quality and can be marketed worldwide, helping San Joaquin County have a money flow in its economy.

“Historically, Stockton is popular for growing crops because we conveniently have a way not only to grow them here but also transport them via the port to other markets and other major cities down to San Francisco and even across the world,” said Cardoso. “So we can grow a lot of things here and our transportation cost is much lower than other parts of the state because of our proximity to the port.” 

As such, the importance of agriculture to Stockton’s economy cannot be underestimated. The agriculture industry in San Joaquin County contributes more than three billion per year to its region’s economy, according to a report produced by the San Joaquin Economic Development Association. 

In addition to its importance to the economy, agriculture significantly impacts Stockton’s cultural identity. Farming has been a source of pride in the Stockton community over generations, so much so that it’s become an integral part of their lives.

For instance, the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival and the San Joaquin Delta College Horticulture Department. 

The Horticulture Department raises awareness, teaches about agriculture and has a garden on campus for practical learning. Additionally, when there are leftovers from an assignment, the department donates them to the Student Food Pantry at Delta.

“We have projects that students in our plant and soil science classes where they grow crops and they observe the different characteristics are climate, soil, and all those other characteristics that affect crop growth,” said Tina Candelo-Mize, a horticulture professor. “So at the end of those projects, students get to take home their produce, but they often have a lot of leftovers, and so we end up donating those leftovers to the student pantry.”

A crucial component of Stockton’s economy, culture, and identity is agriculture, and it is about preserving the way of life and ensuring that future generations will be able to benefit from the region’s beauty and bounty.

They’ll be proud to know they have contributed so much to feed the world when the sun sets over their fields in Stockton. “Horticulture and agriculture, they go into every aspect we need to live pretty much, so I think this is something everybody should get involved with,” said Taylor Thomas, a student in the Horticulture program.

Horticulture Student Taylor Thomas explains why Agriculture is Important