FARMING ■ IN CALIFORNIA WT^^ Farming in California . . . is not the simple way to a life of ease and luxury that it seems to many people. While the climate, topography, and soils of the state lend themselves readily to farming, financial success in any California farming venture is dependent on a great many more things than just ownership of the property. Successful farming (as distinguished from farming for a hobby) requires adequate capital, managerial ability, technical knowledge of agriculture, skill in several types of jobs, the willingness to work and to be thrifty. The California farmer is more a businessman than a laborer. This circular is designed to help those who are considering farming in California as a vocation, whether they have had any previous farming experience or not. It is aimed at the individual who wishes to make a living as a commercial farmer; at the business or professional man who is consider- ing an investment in farm land for future income; at those who are interested only in a part-time farm or a rural home. It may also be useful to those precently farming in the state who wish to move or go into another type of farming. Here you will find considerable general information about the agri- culture of the state; about the wide range in climate and crops; about the reasons behind success or failure of many farm enterprises. The Author: Arthur Shultis is Extension Specialist in Farm Management and Associate on the Giannini Foundation. *A HOW MUCH MONEY Will NttO O CAN ( SELL WHAT I RAISE ry A nyone with a sufficient amount of money can buy a farm in California. But if the purchase is made with the in- tent of turning the farm into a profitable business, the future success of the venture and the contentment of the owner and his family depend on the outcome of a great number of decisions. Many of these should be made before purchase. Farming in California is an exacting, commercialized business. It requires a high degree of ability and considerable capital. Farming in California is different from farming in most other sections of the United States because California has many more commercial crops, and a great many agricultural problems. The person who is considering farming in California, with the intention of mak- ing all or part of his living thereby, would do well to : Go slowly in making up his mind. First, a brief statement on California agriculture— its business side. Farming in California is usually an intensive, spe- cialized, commercial undertaking con- ducted for the purpose of obtaining in- come from the labor, managerial ability, and capital employed. It is not an occu- pation of last resort for those who can- not succeed elsewhere. As stated on page 2 success requires good management, adequate capital, technical knowledge of agricultural processes, skill in the jobs involved, industry, and thrift. A large amount of capital is required. The Cali- fornia farmer is more of a businessman than a laborer. In this day of labor-saving machinery and skilled workers that may be hired, a strong back is not as essential to the farmer as a good head. He must Study all of the factors involved— in- vestigate all of the possibilities thoroughly. Get assistance from individuals and organizations who are in a position to give sound advice that is based on experience. In this latter connection, the Agricul- tural Extension Service of the University of California and the United States De- partment of Agriculture has local offices in all of the major farming counties of the state. These local Farm Advisors (called County Agents in most other states) have local information and litera- ture, and they are prepared to advise anyone seeking help. This service is free. Most of the publications of the College of Agriculture and some of the U.S.D.A. publications are obtainable at these local offices (listed on the back cover) . Meanwhile, this circular will attempt to answer most of the questions that usually occur to the beginner, and to sug- gest sources of more information. Let's look at the over-all picture of farming in California make correct decisions and see that oper- ations are performed in an adequate, timely, and economical manner. Highway signs such as these indicate where farmers may obtain free help and guidance from agricultural specialists— men who make it their business to know the local situation. [3] Some people want to live in the country but won't need to depend on their farm for a living. Many already living on little farms in California are not full-scale commercial farmers. They may have in- come from other sources or have a job elsewhere. Some of them are suffering economic hardship and disappointment. They thought they could buy a small place and build it up to make a living. It doesn't work out that way. With too small a start, there is no surplus for growth of business. Almost half of the farms listed by the United States Census of Agriculture for California are undoubt- edly too small to provide an adequate living for a family. For anyone interested in acquiring a farm or home in California, the first con- sideration is the purpose— whether it is desired to invest for income, to farm actively on a commercial scale, or merely to live in the country. He should ask him- self these questions— am I suited to farm- ing? Do I have enough capital? Then, what type of farming do I prefer? Where would I like to live? If the reader will try to answer these questions as he reads this circular, it will help to narrow down his choice. He will need to consider and choose from a wide range of climatic conditions and types and sizes of farms. The selection and purchase of a farm are usually a farmer's most important de- cisions in determining future success and happiness. The prospective farmer will do well to read this entire circular first — before buying a farm. Outlook for farming in California In looking ahead and considering re- cent trends, there appears to be no reason why farming in California shouldn't con- tinue to prosper as it has in the past. There may be times, as in the depression of 1932-1934, when low prices for prac- tically all products will result in wide- spread distress and some financial fail- ures and losses of farms. But there is no more danger in California than in other states. Commercial farming in this state has usually returned wages for the work done, and usually a moderate return on invested capital and sometimes addi- tional profit for good management. It is true that there has been a rather high turnover of farmers in California. Many enter the business and fail or sell out, perhaps because of the rather exact- ing requirements for success, and the large capital required. Most of this turn- over, however, is among those who have never become established, full-scale, com- mercial farmers. California has droughts, floods, freezes, and other natural hazards, but these usually affect only a small part of the state and only then in occasional years. The state depends more largely on irri- gation than on rainfall. Dry years reduce incomes of dry-land farmers, but there is usually enough water from reservoirs, mountain runoff, and irrigation wells to avert serious losses on irrigated land. Floods are being brought under control by reservoirs and levees. Frost damage is largely avoided by time of planting or widespread orchard heating. Insects and plant diseases are largely controlled. Cali- fornia farmers exercise more complete control over natural hazards than is done in most states. So California is not a hazardous state in which to farm but rather a costly one. California agriculture is probably more likely to suffer some decline in in- come and prosperity from price declines than from natural causes or from acreage reductions in federal crop allotment pro- grams. A smaller proportion of Cali- fornia's farm production is in crops sub- ject to price supports than is the case for the country as a whole. A depression, like the one in the 1930's would hurt Cali- fornia's agriculture seriously, and cause some failures as it did then. But another depression in the near future appears improbable. [4] The price-value situation at a glance 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 This graph shows at a glance the fluctuations of farm prices, land values in California, and land values for the whole country, from 1912-1949. Since 1920, California land values have been high. California is the leading state in fruit and vegetable production. A large volume of fresh, dried, and canned products is shipped to other states, with some going to foreign countries. Some of these are not produced in other states or at least not at the time of the year when they are available in California. This business will continue. A loss of export business resulting from World War II created some troublesome surpluses that are serious to certain producer groups, but these are being alleviated through marketing pro- grams with government assistance and gradual adjustment of acreage. Other states closer to the eastern mar- ket have some advantage in lower trans- portation costs. These states may increase their production and reduce California's share in the market at certain times and for certain products. This will apply only to a small part of California's specialty vegetable and fruit production. This in- creased competition is not expected to result in any decline in total production in California, but perhaps it may reduce the rate at which production has been increasing in the past. California is a deficit state in the pro- duction of meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and feed grains. The state produces less than it consumes. Transportation costs on these products from the east increase their prices to the extent that it is possible to produce and market in the state more of the things consumed by the large and growing population. With the state's wide range of crops and products, shifts to meet changing supply and demand con- ditions are feasible. California agriculture is approaching maturity Land suited to farming in California is all in use. Regions and areas are settling down to a more stable and in- [5] tensive production of the things for which they are best adapted. In the Span- ish and Mexican era from 1770 to 1848, except for a little farming around the missions, cattle production (largely for hides) was the main type of farming. The American phase began with the ar- rival of many Americans who came in the gold rush 100 years ago. Grain pro- duction then spread over much of the arable land. Fruit and vegetable produc- tion increased but only for local con- sumption until the transcontinental rail- roads made development of the great fruit business possible after 1869. Irri- gation began in the early days at the Spanish missions but was developed slowly until 1870 when about 60,000 acres were irrigated. Since then it has increased rather rapidly to about 5,000,- 000 acres at present. There was consider- able trial and error in locating crops and orchards with acreage fluctuations in dif- ferent regions. Now the adapted crops for each locality are known. The period of rapid change and shifts is over. The state's agriculture, although maturing, will still continue fluid and dynamic with further development and shifting of enterprises to meet changing demand. Water — the situation presents some problems The reader may have heard of the water problem in California. Some areas are facing serious water shortages for which solutions are not yet apparent. The main water shortage is in the San Joaquin Valley. This is being met in part by the Central Valley Project, now ap- proaching completion by the U. S. Bu- reau of Reclamation. This will be further met by additional works under way or planned for the future. In the compre- hensive plan for the Central Valley Basin prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation, ultimate development is estimated to make water available for 3,040,000 additional acres plus the supplemental water needed by the 3,540,000 acres irri- gated in this basin in 1943. This large increase will be spread over a long period of time. It will be entirely on land already grazed or dry-farmed and will result in increased intensification and some sub- division and new farms. Farm land must be bought at full price There is little chance to obtain a farm in California without buying one at its full market price. Tax delinquent lands seldom have any agricultural value. Some grazing and dry-farmed land of current low value can be improved and brought under irrigation where water can be ob- tained from wells, streams, or canals, but the cost will be great for leveling, irri- gation facilities, and other improvements and equipment. An existing proven farm with immediate income possibilities would ordinarily be a better buy for the new farmer. There are practically no opportunities for obtaining a farm or ranch by home- steading public land in California. Although about 45 per cent of the land area is owned by the federal government, almost none of this is suited to farming in its present state. It is largely in national forests with some in national parks and military reservations and about 3 million acres in grazing districts and 13 million acres of undistributed public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management of the U. S. Department of the Interior. This latter block is largely desert area not suited to farming. Only where an area is shown to be suited to farming will it be so classified and opened to homestead entry. Some small blocks of such land may be fur- nished water from time to time and will then be made available. All the grazing land in grazing districts and National Forests is fully utilized by adjacent ranchers on a permit basis. To get a per- mit to graze stock on these public lands the farmer must show that he owns a ranch and some livestock. [6] California agriculture is highly mechanized Commercial farming for a profit and relatively high wages for farm help in California have long favored the use of mechanical power and machines in place of man and animal power. Broad level fields and large specialized farms have also favored large tractors and large spe- cialized farm machinery. Many ingenious machines were developed or improved here— some by farmers or their local ma- chine shops. The replacement of horse and mule power by tractors and trucks is almost complete. According to the 1945 census, only 15 per cent of the farms had horses or mules and no tractors and another 15 per cent had both tractors and horses, while 26 per cent had tractors and no horses. The remaining 44 per cent re- ported neither but would probably hire any work needed. Draft horses are seldom seen in the main agricultural areas and many of the 139,466 horses reported on 37,522 farms were probably saddle horses. Some 79,839 tractors were re- ported on 56,370 farms, about 1.4 per farm. A total of 85,696 motor trucks were reported on 61,960 farms, also 1.4 per farm reporting. Automobiles re- ported on 114,632 farms totaled 160,252. Practically all farms in major farming areas have electricity. The large power demand for pumping irrigation water favored early distribution of electricity over most of the state. In 1945, 85 per cent of the farms had electricity, 87 per cent had running water in the dwelling, and 44 per cent had telephones. There has been considerable increase since then. California probably uses the greatest number of horsepower per farm, in trac- tors, trucks, motors, and engines, of any state. This contributes to high production per farm and per man, but also necessi- tates a large investment in mechanical equipment. Farm-to-market roads are usually good County roads and highways in Cali- fornia are relatively good— passable the year around. Few farms or ranches are more than a short distance from paved, This machinery is typical of the specialized equipment needed for many kinds of successful farming in California. The machine pictured is used for harvesting Ladino clover seed. It "vacuum cleans" the field, after the mowed clover has been removed for threshing, and picks up seed. [7] or hard surface roads that lead anywhere a farm family might wish to go. This is an advantage in farming in California, but is not without its cost in high prop- erty and gasoline taxes. Expanding population — more markets, but inconvenient Population in California has been in- creasing rapidly and this trend is ex- pected to continue. The 1950 census counted 10,586,223, which is over three times the 3.4 million in 1920— just 30 years ago. The increase since 1940 was 3,678,836 or 53 per cent. This rapid in- crease has resulted in considerable in- convenience because of a housing short- age, crowded highways, schools, and other facilities. For agriculture it has brought a much larger local market. It has also meant some loss of good agri- cultural land through subdivision and spreading of residential areas out around most of the cities and even smaller towns. For the prospective farmer it has resulted in an abnormally high demand and high prices for farm property. Even with some decline in land values from 1947 to 1950, many places are still priced considerably above their agricultural values as deter- mined by probable future earnings. It is a fact that it will cost more to buy a farm capable of producing a certain net income in California than in most other states— prospective purchasers will be competing in a market where demand for farms exceeds the supply. Farm income is high — for several reasons California ranks high among the 48 states in total value of agricultural prod- ucts—first in most years, and second oc- casionally. Yet only 35 per cent of its land area is in farms and 11 per cent in cropland. The high income obtained from this limited area is due to a warm semi- arid climate, irrigation, fertile soils, pro- ductive grazing land and the progressive, venturesome nature of the farmers. It is frequently said that this state has over 200 commercial crops. Considerably more could be counted by breaking down seeds and flowers by kinds. Some may think of California as mainly a fruit state, but orchards and vineyards occupy only 15 per cent of the crop acreage, although fruit farms exceed any other type in number. The livestock, dairy, and poultry industries are large even though they fail to supply entirely the local mar- kets. California is also a large producer of field and vegetable crops. Table 2 shows the farm value of California's products for the five-year prewar period, 1935-1939, and for 1949. The large in- crease is due to a considerable increase in prices, to increased production per acre and per animal, and to a small in- crease in acreage farmed. This wide range in crops and products is due to the wide range in climatic conditions resulting from the size, location, and topography of the state (see pages 10 and 11) . Geography plays an important part California extends from the Mexican border nearly 1,000 miles northward along the Pacific Ocean, and inland around 140 to 220 miles. Within its Now for an outline of the state's agricultural facilities 156,801 square miles are many areas with different elevations, topography, soils, rainfall, temperature, and other factors which require different crops and land use. The principal topographical features [8] of California are its mountains, which create, protect, and water its productive valleys and coastal benches. The Coast Range lies along or near the coast. The Sierra Nevada lie along the eastern bor- der, and between these ranges is the Great Valley— the Sacramento on the north and the San Joaquin (pronounced wau-keen') in the central part of the state. Mountains separate the San Joa- quin Valley from the small but inten- sively farmed southern California coastal plain to the south. In the southeastern part of the state is a great area of barren desert containing a few productive irri- gated areas. A glance at the map on page 11 will help to make the state's topo- graphic features clear. About one fourth of the land area of California is level, and in productive valleys and coastal plains largely below 500 feet in elevation. Most of the crop- land is here. The rest of the state is in desert, rolling foothills and rugged moun- tains ranging from 280 feet below sea level to 14,000 feet above. Climate — California has many different kinds California offers great variety in cli- mate, from the hot, dry, southeastern desert, to the cool north coast, and the cold winters in the mountains on the north and east. As the map shows, diver- sity of climate results from the location and topography of the state; the adjacent Pacific Ocean with its moderating in- fluence, the mountain barriers, and the great range in latitude from north to south. The resulting local differences in rainfall, summer and winter tempera- tures, length of growing season, wind, humidity, and fog largely determine the crops and types of farming. Diiferences in frost hazard occur in small distances within an area, with re- sulting differences in the crops that may be profitably grown. It will pay to in- vestigate carefully the frost and other hazards of any farm being considered for purchase. The climate in certain areas is doubt- less more pleasant to some persons than to others; some prefer the hot, dry in- terior, others the cooler and more equable climate along the coast. Select a region for further investigation and trial, on the basis either of climate or of kind and type of farming. To help in this choice, sample weather data have been prepared and presented in table 1, for typical sta- tions in each of the major agricultural regions that appear on the map on page 11. If climate is important or would affect the family's health, it might be well to spend a year in the area selected before making a permanent choice. Rainfall is a vital climatic factor in California. The mean annual total pre- cipitation varies from a low of 3 inches in the southeastern desert region to a high of well over 60 inches in the north- western corner of the state. In most of the highly developed farming areas, it varies between 5 and 36 inches. It is largely concentrated in the winter months from November to March, so irrigation is necessary for most summer-growing vegetable, field, and fruit crops. Even where crops can be grown without irri- gation it will pay in increased production if water can be obtained at a reasonable cost. Temperature. California owes its importance as a producer of fruit and vegetable crops to the favorable tempera- tures in its agricultural areas. Several subtropicals, such as oranges, lemons, avocados, figs, olives, and dates, are grown in the warmer areas. Many de- ciduous fruits and vegetables are grown and marketed in seasons when not pro- duced in quantities elsewhere. Temperatures determine the crops grown in an area, that is, the relative warmth or coolness through the year, the length of the frost-free growing season, and the minimum winter temperatures. Too low winter * temperatures will kill [9] THE RELIEF MAP of California (at the right) shows the major topographic features of the state. The great central valleys are easily recognized; the coastal valleys are not as distinct in this small- scale map. THE PROFILE DIAGRAM of the state (below) is based on elevation figures for a cross section that cuts through the southern one-third of the map. It shows (in exaggerated vertical scale) the extremes of altitude above and below sea level; the approximate locations of the mountains, central and coastal valleys. The numbered areas on the map indicate the 6 major sections of the state, as discussed in this circular. The sections are as follows: 1. North Coast; 2. Central Coast; 3. southern Cali- fornia; 4. Sacramento Valley; 5. San Joaquin Valley; 6. Mountainous area. Mi Whitney 14,495 ft. 350 miles [10] [11] MEAN ANNUAL PRECIPITATION IN CALIFORNIA 0-5 INCHES 5-10 " Note the extremes of normal rainfall throughout the state— from practically none in the desert, to over 60 inches. JFMAMJJASOND 111 .1 llllla. -ill FRESNO ,JFMAMJJA SOND III 1 III .1 llll. -ill LOS ANGELES X u z JFMAMJJASON D 1 III. ll i IlllL_ all UKIAH JFMAMJJASOND ll ll III.. .11 llllll^.lll YREKA ^JTMAMJJASOND 1 ::: :: . h. : 1 III il llli. Jl Hill. ■Ill RED BLUFF Average precipitation by months in selected stations throughout the state. Note the very dry summer months. 12 Table 1. Sample Weather Data Representing Major Agricultural Regions in California Eleva- tion Average Frost- free growing Temperature Region and weather station annual precipi- Annual All-time All-time tation season average high low feet inches days °F °F °F 1. North coast Eureka 62 39 277 51.6 85 20 Ukiah 650 36 210 57.8 114 12 2. Central coast Santa Rosa 167 30 204 56.9 112 15 San Jose 95 15 305 57.5 104 22 Salinas 45 14 256 56.4 110 18 San Luis Obispo 300 21 316 58.6 110 20 3. Southern California Santa Ana 133 12 304 61.7 112 22 Riverside 851 11 270 62.8 118 21 San Diego 19 10 365 61.2 110 25 Imperial -65 4 302 71.9 124 22 4. Sacramento Valley Marysville 67 20 271 62.6 118 19 Willows 136 16 251 62.3 116 17 5. San Joaquin Valley Modesto 91 11 299 63.9 111 15 Fresno 327 9 289 63.1 115 17 Bakersfield 404 6 274 64.6 118 13 6. Mountain Alturas 4,446 13 69 46.8 105 -32 Yreka 2,625 17 129 51.4 112 - 7 certain subtropical fruits, and too high will prevent good production of certain deciduous varieties suited to cold winters. The frost-free growing period varies from less than 100 days in parts of the mountain area to more than 350 days along the coast in the central and south- ern parts of the state. Summer tempera- tures also greatly affect the growth of crops and these temperatures vary widely from the cooler coastal exposures to the warmer central valley and hot desert. Soils — some are good, some are difficult The soils of California are exceedingly variable because of differences in parent material, method of formation, climate, age, and location. As for method of for- mation, there are two main types : ( 1 ) the residual soils in the hills and mountains, formed in place by decomposition of the underlying rock; (2) the transported soils in the valleys, built up there of ma- terial largely deposited by rivers flowing down from the mountains on either side. The upland, or residual soils are somewhat weathered and eroded. They are rather shallow— usually not more than 3 or 4 feet deep over bedrock. They oc- cupy most of the Coast Range and slopes of the Sierra Nevada and other mountains. Being almost entirely on hillsides, where topography makes irrigation difficult or expensive, and being too shallow or hazardous for dry farming, these soils [13 AVERAGE LENGTH OF GROWING SEASON TO 100 OAYS WM\ 100 • 150 » 150 ' 200 " 200 • 250 h 250 ' 300 " 300 ' 325 » 325 ' 350 " 350 ' 365 " The growing season varies in different areas from only a few months to practically the whole year. AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE (June-August inclusive) DEGREES FAHRENHEIT [ J 50 TO 60 Average summer temperatures range from fairly cool (along the north coast) to the extreme desert heat. 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Their main agri- cultural use is in the pasturing of range livestock, from 5 to over 20 acres being needed to support a mature cow or steer for one year. Some of the foothill areas, when irrigated and properly managed, yield commercial crops of deciduous fruit. The upland soils, however, are gen- erally unproductive and restricted in crop adaptations as compared with the valley soils. Because of the great area involved and the low value per acre, be cautious about buying an abandoned or partially developed upland farm. Only a proved farm, in a locality that has an eco- nomic future under normal prices, would be a safe purchase on residual soils. The valley and terrace soils have been produced largely by erosion of the mountains and upland soils from which they came. They make up the bulk of the farm lands of the state, the most extensive being the great interior valleys of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and the southern California coastal plain from the seashore inland to Riverside and Redlands. There are, also, several large valleys in the coast counties, such as the Russian River, Santa Clara, Salinas (pro- nounced sal-ee'-nas), and Santa Maria valleys. Scattered throughout the state in the mountain, foothill, and desert areas are many other smaller valleys contain- ing good soils washed down from the sur- rounding hills; these valleys contribute much to the agriculture of the region. The valley soils, although fertile as a group, vary in productivity and desir- ability. Some are coarse and poor; others so heavy and hard to work as to be limited in use. The older ones often con- tain a layer of hardpan at depths varying from a few inches to a few feet. This is an impermeable layer formed by the cementing together of fine soil particles and salts, which, over the years, have been leached to the same depth by the limited seasonal rainfall. In such places, root and moisture penetration are usually limited to the soil above the hardpan, thus impairing productivity and limiting the crops that can be grown. One should examine the soil, preferably to a depth of 6 feet; the greater the depth of the friable soil, the greater its productivity and the range of crops that can be grown. Some of the low-lying soils where the water table is near the surface have ac- cumulated a concentration of salts called alkali. These salts may, in extreme cases, render the soils worthless or limit their use to a few alkali-tolerant crops or to saltgrass pasture. Drainage is a problem in some areas. There are also older terrace soils, less friable and lower in fertility than the more recent flood-plain soils. Even the highly fertile bottom lands may vary in productivity through coarseness of tex- ture and other factors. Along some of the watercourses, flood hazard should also be considered. Since the soil of the farm may so defi- nitely limit future success, its nature, ease of handling, and productivity should be determined through actual inspection and local inquiry before a purchase is made. Soil maps. Most of the agricultural areas of California have been surveyed and mapped for soils by the College of Agriculture in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. An individual farm may be located by its legal description on these maps, and the general character of its soil learned. For areas of less than 30 acres, these maps should be supplemented by field inspection, since small areas of different and perhaps poor soils cannot be shown on a scale of 1 inch to the mile. Many of the area maps, with the book- lets describing soil series and textures, are largely no longer obtainable for free distribution; but they may be seen in libraries, at the College of Agriculture, [16] Irrigated Agriculture Nonirrigated Agriculture Sagebrush Subalpine Brush, Woodland, Forest This is a map showing the natural cover and land use in the state of California. In a map this small it is not possible to show all of the features of all of the land, hence only the main areas are shown. Many of the small, local, irrigated sections do not appear. [17 and at the county offices of the Agri- cultural Extension Service. Some of the counties have been covered by intensive land-use studies and mapped for recom- mended utilization, with detailed reports that may be consulted locally. Maps showing general land classes by quality or potential productive capacity may be studied at most of the local offices of the Agricultural Extension Service. Irrigation is essential in most locations California as a whole is a semiarid state. Most of the farming is in valleys of low elevation, receiving 20 inches or less of rainfall annually. Because this rainfall comes almost entirely during the cool winter months, intensive agriculture is largely dependent on irrigation. In 1944 some 87,205 farms, or about 63 per cent of the total, reported irrigation ; and 4,952,819 acres, or 44 per cent of the cropland was irrigated. Nonirrigated land in farms is devoted mainly to pas- ture or range and to small grains, but there is some production of field, vege- table, and fruit crops without irrigation. Water, so essential to California agri- culture, is often more precious than the land itself— land with water being some- times valued at several hundred dollars an acre, whereas similar land without water would be worthless. If buying an irrigated farm, look carefully to the ade- quacy, dependability, quality, and cost of the water supply. If you, the reader, intend to farm in California, it will most likely be on irri- gated land and you will need to know or to learn the economics and science of growing crops under irrigation. The high costs usually involved can be covered only by the income from intensive crop production. The water is measured in units of flow, such as gallons per minute, cubic feet per second, and miner's inch; or in units of volume— the acre-inch and the acre-foot. (An acre-inch is enough water to cover an acre 1 inch deep and is equivalent to an inch of rainfall on an acre.) The amount of water required for irri- gation will vary widely by crop and m,m0 f - Irrigation is necessary in most areas of California where fruit is grown— it is beneficial in prac- tically all cases. In this picture, irrigation water is being applied to the trees by the check system. 18] area— from a depth of a few inches, where only one or two applications are needed, to as much as 10 feet in the date gardens of the desert. In the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, irrigation requirements vary in depth from nothing, for grain, to 6 feet for irrigated pastures. ^SAV^ Farm lands in California occur mainly in the large interior valleys with their bordering foothills and on the seaward slopes of the Coast Range, but with moun- tains or distance separating them into areas. Natural barriers divide the state into several regions that vary in climate, topography, and soil, with resulting dif- ferences in local agriculture. A descrip- tion of California agriculture is simpli- fied if one considers the 6 major agri- cultural regions shown in the map on page 11, along with the sample weather data in table 1. (For statistics on these regions it has been necessary to have them fit county lines rather than more appropriate topographical boundaries.) Table 3 shows some statistics by regions. The north coast is mostly timbered This region comprises the three coun- ties along the Pacific Ocean south of the Oregon line. It is largely occupied by the Coast Range, with elevations seldom ex- ceeding 3,000 feet above sea level. The mountainous area is mostly covered with forest or brush, but includes considerable grazing land and many livestock ranches. Farming is largely limited to the valleys and a narrow shelf along certain portions of the coast. This is a region of comparatively high average rainfall, ranging in different areas from 35 to 60 inches; it has fairly Water for irrigation is obtained from streams, reservoirs, irrigation-district canals, and (by pumping) from irriga- tion wells. The cost per acre for the year will vary from almost nothing up to $50 or more. In most cases costs will fall be- tween $5 and $15 an acre. The main farming regions show variations in climate early fall and late spring rains, but still a considerable dry period during the summer. Use of summer irrigation for crops and pastures is increasing from wells and near-by streams. Its climate varies widely with ele- vation and with distance from the coast. Along the shore and extending inland for a few miles is a belt of cool, foggy, windy climate but mild, wet winters; the weather data given for Eureka in table 2 are typical. Farther inland, in the major farming valleys, there is less rainfall, the summer temperatures are higher, and the winter temperatures are lower than on the coast, as shown by the weather data for Ukiah. Activities. Lumbering of the coast redwood and of Douglas fir is a major activity around Crescent City, Eureka, and Fort Bragg. This region contains the coast redwood belt and the famous Red- wood Highway (part of U. S. Highway 101), which runs north from San Fran- cisco through a large part of the farming and redwood country to Oregon. Beef cattle and sheep ranches, depending largely on owned range, occupy most of the hill country that is open to grazing. Dairying is the major type of farming in the Smith River Valley of Del Norte County, the Mad and Eel river deltas in Humboldt County, and much of the coastal portions of Mendocino County. Farther inland in Mendocino County lies [19] s in C o o »S O i *3 — u 8 X J; » i < w O < £ O u • mm 8 • C 3 »3 ro o> 8 — 2 O !* ■° i no c 3 O o in k a c.2 ^f ° Irty CO o 8 ^- ^ CO 00 CS in. 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The north coast re- gion as a whole is fully developed agri- culturally, with its crops and livestock stabilized. It contains about 149,399 acres of cropland. Although this is only 3 per cent of its area, practically all the good farm land is fully utilized. Some farms are under irrigation, but an in- crease of this practice would not create many additional farms. The central coast — more farming, a mild climate This region comprises the counties on and near the coast from northern Sonoma County, about 80 miles north of San Francisco, to San Luis Obispo County, about 260 miles to the south. In general it is a little warmer and has less rainfall than the north coast region. The climate is mild and equable near the ocean, but warm and dry farther inland. Although the Coast Range dominates the area, the region is somewhat lower and less rugged than the north coast. It contains more open grazing and farming land and less commercial timber. Considerable livestock is produced on the ranges, which are largely privately owned. The lower rainfall and higher temperature result in a green-feed period somewhat shorter than farther north. With proper management, however, stock can be maintained mainly on range the year round with a little supplemental feed— usually available from the crops and crop residues of the valley farm lands. Activities. All the counties in this re- gion contain important crop areas in the Fruit orchards are not confined to the flat valley land; many of the apple plantings, for instance, are in hilly country such as that shown. While some foothill orchards are not irrigated, it is felt that even they would benefit by the application of water— a costly undertaking for some. [21] valleys and on some of the hill slopes. Grain and grain hay, with some other crops, are produced without irrigation, although the intensive production of fruit and truck crops is largely dependent on the use of irrigation water from indi- vidually owned wells. The central coast region presents a wide range of conditions, which lead to crop specialization. Sonoma and Marin counties on the north are an important dairy region producing market milk for the San Francisco Bay area. Petaluma in Sonoma County is the center of a large commercial poultry industry. The Sebas- topol area near by is the main shipping center for Gravenstein apples and for bush berries. The Napa Valley farther east produces wine grapes, prunes, and a variety of other crops. Lake County, which contains Clear Lake in a large basin surrounded by mountains, is an important pear and walnut district with some dairy, livestock, and general farms. The valleys in the San Francisco Bay area and the Santa Clara Valley centering at San Jose contain apricot, walnut, prune, almond, and pear orchards and wine-grape vineyards, besides some plantings of field crops and vegetables. The Pajaro Valley (pronounced pa'-ha- ro), which surrounds the town of Wat- sonville, includes California's chief late- apple district and is also important for truck crops. All along the coast are vegetable areas that permit the summer production of cool-climate crops such as lettuce, arti- chokes, peas, and Brussels sprouts. The largest valley in the region is the Salinas. The northern end of this is a major vege- table district, with lettuce and carrots as the chief products, but with a large acre- age of beans, sugar beets, and many other crops. The southern end, being hotter and drier, is devoted mainly to field crops and livestock. The Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys farther south are heavy pro- ducers of vegetables and flower seed. In most of these vegetable areas double- cropping, or more than one crop a year, is possible with irrigation. There is some dairying scattered throughout the region, although this has declined in recent years. Poultry production is also important in many localities. Opportunities. This central coast region as a whole contains about 1,707,- 682 acres of cropland— 17 per cent of its entire area. The valley soils are usually good. Production could be increased if more water were available, but there are no large opportunities for irrigation de- velopment. The region is largely one of family-sized and large commercial farms, fairly profitable and firmly held. Only around the cities are there many small and part-time farms made possible by employment opportunities in agriculture and other occupations. Southern California is diversified — warm This region occupies the southern quarter of the state. It is composed of a mild equable climatic zone along the coast, and a large, dry, desert area farther east and north. The coastal zone extends inland from a few miles at Santa Barbara to about 70 miles east of Los Angeles. It is warmer and has a lower annual average rainfall than the central coast region ; yet proximity to the ocean gives it a milder, more equable climate than any of the other regions. The hills, dry and brush- covered, are used for watershed, with little or no grazing. Crops depend almost entirely upon irrigation water, which is fully utilized, some of it being obtained at high cost and from great distances. In the coastal portion of southern California the chief crops are oranges, lemons, walnuts, avocados, berries, a variety of vegetables and a few field crops. This is the major citrus area of the state. It produces almost all the lemons grown in the United States and many of the oranges. Near Los Angeles is a large market-milk dairy business, unique in that most of the feed is produced outside [22] the area on cheaper land and shipped in as concentrates and baled alfalfa hay. Although there is an intensive local poul- try industry, the region as a whole is on an import basis for both eggs and poultry meat. Its large population, which includes Los Angeles, consumes a great volume of agricultural products, many of which are produced elsewhere and shipped in. The soils are not all of the best; but with proper management, and adequate water supply, the warm climate, and the long growing season, profitable use can be made of any but the poorest soils. Much agricultural land has been subdi- vided into suburban homes and part-time farms, and the active real estate market has long been encroaching on commercial farming areas near the larger centers. Since the available water is rather fully utilized, there is not much opportunity for future irrigation developments. Opportunities. The frequently high earnings of some of the crops, plus the demand for homes, have resulted in land values that may not be justified by long- time earnings from commercial farming. At any rate, in this region a large invest- ment is required for a farm of adequate size. Land values are probably the highest in the United States— bare land costing $300 to $2,000 an acre, and good citrus orchards going as high as $5,000 an acre. From 15 to 30 acres may be required to support an average California farm fam- ily, even with intensive high-value crops. There are, however, many small places and part-time farms, which will make at- tractive homes and perhaps produce some income to supplement that from annuities or outside employment. The purchaser of such a place should first be assured of adequate dependable income, since the operating costs and the taxes continue high even in times of low farm prices and slack employment. The mountain and desert portion of southern California, which is the greater part of the area, is not important agriculturally since only 1.5 per cent of it, or 403,000 acres, are in harvested cropland. Because the rainfall is, in gen- eral, too low to produce timber or graz- ing, this is called the desert area even though it includes numerous mountain groups besides the valleys and plains. Farming is possible only in irrigated valleys, of which there are several, all separated, however, from one another and from the coast region by mountains and desert plains, and all having the characteristics of low rainfall and high summer temperatures. The Imperial Valley is the largest and most important agricultural area of the region. It is irrigated by water from the Colorado River. The completion of the Hoover Dam and the Ail-American Canal has given it an adequate and de- pendable water supply. Irrigated field and truck crops occupy most of the acre- age. The fruits— grapefruit, grapes, oranges, and dates— are of minor impor- tance. Leading in value are the vegetable and truck crops— lettuce, carrots, canta- loupes, peas, tomatoes, and watermelons, which are grown in the fall, winter, and spring for interstate shipment at times of the year when supplies from other areas are not large. Most of the acreage, how- ever, is devoted to field crops— flax, al- falfa, and sugar beets being the most im- portant. There is also a considerable in- crease in winter pasturing and feeding of cattle and lambs. There is some dairying but this has declined in importance in re- cent years. All of the land in the Imperial Irriga- tion District for which irrigation water is now available is in private hands. There is no additional public land available for homesteading and new farms at present. A large area, the East Mesa, has been considered for extension of irrigation but the poor quality of the soil and the high cost of development make this project economically unfeasible at this time. The Pilot Knob Mesa, another area farther east, has been investigated as to soil and is being studied as to feasibility by the [23] Land in the desert regions of southern California is reclaimed with the aid of heavy machinery. Here a huge dozer levels what was formerly wasteland. When irrigated and given proper treat- ment it will yield crops. Farming in the desert, however, requires many specialized techniques. U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. Another area, the West Mesa, is under investiga- tion. These areas are public land and if and when irrigation is developed will be open to homestead entry. Veterans would have preference. The settler in addition to meeting the requirements for homestead- ing would agree to repay without interest, over a forty-year period, the construction costs assessed against the land plus the costs of operating and maintaining the irrigation system. Current information may be obtained from the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, Region 3, Boulder City, Nevada, or from the Agricultural Exten- sion Service office at El Centro, Cali- fornia. The Coachella Valley, the north- westerly extension of the Colorado Desert beyond the Salton Sea, resembles the Imperial Valley in climate. There is a potential agricultural acreage of about 70,000 acres, with about 25,000 now under cultivation. The principal crops are early table grapes, dates, citrus, out- of-season vegetables, and field crops. Ir- rigation has been principally from deep wells, though the completion and exten- sion of the All- American Canal and some laterals have brought Colorado River water to many farms. The underground distribution system for the canal is ex- pected to serve around 65,000 acres when completed. Land ownership is nearly all private. A few land settlement opportuni- ties will exist when released by the gov- ernment. The quality of soil varies widely, and no land classed as nonirrigable should be considered for development without considerable knowledge of the area. The Palo Verde Valley, lying along the Colorado River in western Riverside County, resembles Imperial Valley in climate and agriculture. About 60,000 acres are being farmed at the present time, with only a small amount of new land being brought into cultivation. The principal crops are alfalfa hay and seed, melons, lettuce, cotton, grain, flax, and a small acreage of onions. Water costs are [24] low, with the Irrigation District carrying a very low indebtedness. Water is sup- plied by gravity flow from the Colorado River. A drainage problem exists over many parts of the valley. The soils vary widely, necessitating a careful survey be- fore land purchase is made. Certain other desert farming areas, such as the Antelope Valley in the north- eastern part of Los Angeles County and the near-by Mojave Valley in the north- western part of San Bernardino County, are irrigated from local or underground water supplies. There are also many des- ert ranches with inadequate water and poor earning capacity, some of which may look promising in good years. The desert contains much good land that cannot be developed because of a lack of water. It is dotted with the re- mains of many previous failures, silent warning to the newcomer. This region also contains some mineral resources and some recreation and health resorts. It is hot and dry in summer, but pleasant in winter. To many the climate is a difficult one in which to work and live the year round, although modern air con- ditioning can now make the houses more comfortable. The Sacramento Valley — a general farming area The Sacramento Valley is the northern half of what is called the Great Valley. Being farther north, it is enough colder and wetter to have somewhat different climate and crops from those of the San Joaquin Valley, with which it merges in the delta of the two great rivers at the northeastern arm of San Francisco Bay. Rainfall in and around the Sacramento Valley ranges from 15 to 35 inches. Irri- gation is needed for most orchards and field crops but not for the grain that grows during the rainy season. The water- shed yields more water than is needed for summer irrigation ; and the Central Val- ley Project, now nearing completion, will store and transfer part of this water to the San Joaquin Valley. The Sacramento Valley has a less equable climate than the coastal regions; summers are hotter and drier, winters are colder, as shown by the weather data in table 2. The soils are variable, with some hardpan land and fine-textured basin soils. The basin soils produce heavy yields of rice and grain, but are adapt- table to fewer crops than the medium- textured alluvial soils along the many streams that enter the valley. Activities. The region is largely de- voted to field crops and general farming, with some dairying. It also contains sev- eral important fruit districts producing peaches, prunes, almonds, pears, walnuts, olives, and even a little citrus fruit. Com- mercial poultry farms are found in sev- eral localities, especially around Sacra- mento, the state capital. Over half the land harvested in the re- gion is in grain and grain hay. In addi- tion, this region contains most of the rice fields of California and is well suited to the economical production of rice under efficient, large-scale, mechanical methods. Alfalfa, sugar beets, dry beans, and can- ning tomatoes are other important crops. In the delta of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers a large acreage of very fertile friable peat soil, now protected by levees, grows a variety of vegetable and field crops. The delta is devoted to large commercial farming operations. Livestock, both cattle and sheep, are wintered in and around the Sacramento Valley, to be pastured in near-by private range lands and national forests in the mountains during the summer. Some stock is kept in the valley the year round to utilize the numerous pastures and the crop residues such as grain stubble and sugar-beet tops. Swine production is scattered throughout, not heavily concen- trated in any area. Opportunities. The Sacramento Val- ley region is large and includes some foot- hills to the east and west, besides the [25 arable valley floor. It has 2,321,000 acres of cropland (34 per cent of its area) . Al- though all the farm land is in private hands and already in use, there is con- siderable opportunity to intensify pro- duction further and to increase the num- ber of farms. Some good cropland, now dry-farmed to grain, when irrigated can be devoted to general or dairy farming. Water can be made available for all the good land, but the newcomer is warned of much poor land that cannot be profitably farmed to some crops. In the foothills to the east are some fruit and other farms of less than ade- quate commercial size which, because of the more desirable climate at elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 feet, might make attrac- tive homes for those with assured outside income. The San Joaquin Valley is the most versatile This region extends from the delta area, where it joins the Sacramento Val- ley, southeast to the Tehachapi Moun- tains, which separate it from the south- ern California region. On the east it is bounded by the Sierra Nevada, from which comes most of its irrigation water ; on the west by the dry side of the Coast Range. The average rainfall is as much as 20 inches in the north, less than 10 inches in the south, and is higher along the east- ern side than on the west. Its climate— a little warmer than that of the Sacramento Valley, with a longer growing season in general— gives it a greater variety of crops. The soils are variable, with much land of high quality, but also with some shallow soils over hardpan, and some low basin lands where alkali is a limiting factor. Activities. This is the largest agricul- tural region in California, containing 4,164,385 acres of cropland (24 per cent of the area). The cropland acreage is 37 per cent of the total for the state. The San Joaquin Valley presents a great diversity of products and types of farms— speciali- zation, in local areas, has distinct advan- tages. Here are grown over 70 per cent of the grapes in the state— nearly all the raisin and table grapes, and some of the wine grapes. There is a considerable acreage of deciduous fruits— mainly peaches, ap- ricots, almonds, and walnuts. Figs and olives are also important. In the south- eastern part of the valley, mostly in Tulare County, is a large citrus area pro- during navel and Valencia oranges, with some lemons. But field crops occupy most of the land— grain, alfalfa, cotton, beans, potatoes, and sugar beets. In 1949 for the first time cotton grown here exceeded in value any other single crop in California with over 200 million dollars in lint and seed. Vegetables, such as asparagus, to- matoes, melons, onions, sweet potatoes, and peas, are widely grown (in areas to which they are especially adapted) from the delta area in the north through the entire valley to the south. Livestock is produced and fed in the region, some of it being pastured on the ranges and national forests of the adjoin- ing foothills and mountains. Irrigated pastures are used for livestock feeding and dairying. The region is the most im- portant dairy district of the state, with considerable production of market milk and cream for the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and local consuming centers, and with a large manufacture of dairy products. Poultry production is scattered throughout. Opportunities. Practically all the land that has an adequate water supply is farmed to irrigated crops. Part of the water is obtained through irrigation agencies which store the winter and spring runoffs. Especially in the southern part of the valley, much of the water comes from wells that draw on a dimin- ishing underground supply, with pump- ing costs high and increasing. The Central Valley Water Project, now nearing completion, is expected to irri- gate 500,000 acres for the first time and [26] Almost nine-tenths of the grapes grown in the U. S. are grown in California— a large part of them in areas where irrigation is needed. This picture shows a vineyard in the San Joaquin Valley. to bring additional water to 1,500,000 acres already irrigated. This development and the resulting intensification of pro- duction should make possible about 10,000 more farms, mostly in the San Joaquin Valley. These will appear gradu- ally over a number of years with the sub- division of existing large farms. Being already under private ownership, they will be obtained on a different basis from the public land in some of the new rec- lamation projects. The San Joaquin Valley region, though entirely in farms, still offers some oppor- tunities for shifting to intensive crops of higher value and labor requirements suited to smaller farm units as markets are available. With its large normal turn- over of farms and its planned develop- ment under the Central Valley Project, it can probably absorb more additional farmers than any other part of the state. The mountain region has mostly livestock and feed The northeastern part of the state is dominated by the Siskiyou Mountains, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada. Its agricultural importance is small with only 906,237 acres (3 per cent of its area) in cropland. Farming is in mountain val- leys at elevations between 2,000 and 6,000 feet. Statistics in table 3, however, include western parts of a few counties that extend down into the foothills just east of the Great Valley. The frost-free growing season is rela- tively short, as compared to the rest of the state. It is cold in winter and moder- ately warm in summer with low annual rainfall in many of the farming areas and a climate that resembles the inter- mountain states, rather than the rest of California. Farming in the mountain region is largely the production of hay and grain for the wintering and feeding of range livestock. Cattle and sheep are grazed by permit in the national forests and on the grazing lands of the public domain. Such grazing rights are regulated and made available to the established ranchers in proportion to their ranch operations. Such public ranges, as well as those that [27] are privately owned, are fully utilized. To obtain grazing rights, the newcomer would have to buy or rent an established ranch. The farming areas in this mountain region are across rather high mountains from the Sacramento Valley and, hence, have different climatic, price, and market conditions. Wild meadow hay, alfalfa, and grain are the major crops. Irrigation is necessary for crop production in most areas, and in some of them there is not enough water for all of the arable land. Although livestock is the prevalent type of farming, there is some dairying and some cash field-crop production. The Tule Lake area, just south of the Oregon line in Siskiyou and Modoc coun- ties, is a relatively new, highly productive farming area. It is a part of the Klamath Project, recently developed by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. Settlement of drained and irrigated land, by homesteading by qualified vet- erans (who have preference) is complete for the time being. Grain, alfalfa, clover seed, and potatoes are the main crops. Lassen, Yosemite, Kings River Can- yon, and Sequoia national parks are in this region, together with most of the high mountain scenic and recreational areas of the state. Practically all of the high mountain country not in national parks is in national forests and provides not only grazing, but recreation. The region also contains a considerable part of California's timber and mineral resources, and supplies a large part of the hydroelectric power for the state and most of the irrigation water for the Great Valley. Hence, in some of the mountain valleys, local jobs may sometimes be com- bined with a small farm or rural home for a better living. Since the region is fully developed agriculturally, opportuni- ties for newcomers are rather limited. Now consider the types of farms that can be found in California California farms may be roughly classi- fied on the basis of their principal crops or livestock. Each crop or kind of live- stock is called an enterprise. A farm busi- ness is composed of one or more enter- prises. A specialized farm will have only one or two; a diversified farm, several. Although California agriculture as a whole is highly diversified, most of its farms specialize in the products best adapted to local conditions. Table 3 con- tains a classification of California farms by major source of income by regions, and for the state as a whole. Fruit farms — the most numerous type in California Farms with a major source of income from fruit or nuts exceed in number any other type in California. They vary widely in the kind of fruits grown. In size they range from small part-time farms all the way up to 3,000 acres but most of them are from 10 to 30 acres. Fruit production involves a consider- able investment for developing the or- chard or vineyard, hence the operator must make a high capital investment for a farm large enough to support his family. Orchards and vineyards are usually specialized, with only one kind of fruit or at most a few kinds. The result is a high seasonal labor requirement at har- vesting time, because up to 10 workers are needed to harvest the fruit from an orchard which one man can care for dur- ing the rest of the year. Specializing in a single crop that cannot be changed in- volves a hazard. There may be years of low income or no income, for climatic or economic reasons, and perhaps a long period of low prices and income, due to continued overproduction. In general, however, over the years, net income or [28] earnings per acre from fruit have been good as compared with those from other products. Since practically all fruits brought good prices during the war and early postwar years, the purchase prices of many good orchards are now probably above those justified by long-time future earnings. Subsequent to 1945 there has been a general decline in fruit prices and orchard and vineyard values. On the other hand, when a given fruit has re- mained unprofitable for a number of years, as happened in the 1930's, the pur- chase prices of the farms have tended to fall below those justified by long-time earnings. It takes five to ten years to bring an orchard into commercial production, so one planted now may not arrive in bearing until oversupply has brought un- profitably low prices. The long-time out- look for fruit prices in general and the specific fruit in particular is important. As a rule, an orchard or vineyard once planted is brought into bearing and re- mains long in production, despite un- profitable markets. Hence the total acre- age of any fruit is rather stable, and the normal production may be forecast sev- eral years. A comparison of this probable future output with probable domestic and foreign demand, in the light of past sup- ply and price relations, enables one to foresee probable price trends. If the total production is no greater than can be marketed satisfactorily, the outlook will be good. If, on the other hand, future production appears to be too large, the outlook is poor. The prospects for some California fruits are better than for others. Many factors, such as domestic consumer pur- chasing power and foreign outlets, are too uncertain to warrant the inclusion here of forecasts for the many fresh, canned, and dried fruits produced in California. Such information, as developed, will be currently available at Agricultural Exten- sion offices. Before buying or developing an orchard or vineyard, the prospective farmer should inquire concerning the out- look. The citrus fruits— navel oranges, Va- lencia oranges, lemons, and grapefruit- are the most important in value and in number of growers. They are planted chiefly in the south coast region. Lemons, being the most susceptible to frost dam- age, are grown in limited areas along val- ley terraces and near the ocean. Navel oranges, the variety harvested in winter and early spring, are more widely grown in the warmer parts of the south coast region and in the southeastern San Joa- quin Valley. Valencia oranges, the summer variety, are also produced in many places, but most extensively near the coast, for example in Orange County. Grapefruit are grown commercially in the hotter parts of the south coast region and in the Coachella and Imperial val- leys. Most citrus orchards, therefore, spe- cialize in a single variety, although in some regions two, three, or even all four Wind machines are used in some southern California citrus orchards to keep air in motion and lessen the danger of frost. Some are driven by electric motors, some by gasoline engines. [29 California's warm, dry summers (rain is very unlikely between May 15 and October 1) make it possible to sun-dry some fruits. Those shown are apricots. Machine dehydration, however, which is faster and more easily controlled, is more widely used for the drying of prunes in California. varieties may be found on a single farm. About 20 acres of citrus orchard are required to furnish sufficient employment and an adequate family income over the years. Many citrus orchards are smaller, however, perhaps because of their suit- ability to part-time farming, but also be- cause of their high per-acre cost. Good bearing orchards usually cost $2,000 to $4,000 an acre, depending on the times and on current earnings. For an adequate family farm the capital investment would probably be $40,000 or more. Deciduous fruits are those that shed their leaves and become dormant during the winter, in contrast to citrus, olive, and avocado, which are in leaf all year. De- ciduous fruits are produced in most of the cooler regions; in fact, certain vari- eties require some cold winter weather. Peaches, pears, apricots, prunes, plums, cherries, apples, almonds, and walnuts are extensively grown in the favorable localities. The proper size for a family farm may be from 15 to 30 acres on irri- gated productive valley land, but should be somewhat larger on poorer soils or on land without irrigation. In normal times, good bearing orchards have cost about $1,500 an acre; but there is considerable variation with locality and kind of fruit, because of current earnings and the future outlook. In general an adequate family- sized deciduous fruit farm would cost about $30,000, but the figure might range from $20,000 to $50,000. Vineyards, Three principal types of grapes have been planted extensively in California— raisin, table, and wine. Each type and sometimes each variety, how- ever, is grown in smaller areas best suited to it. Raisin grapes, largely the Thompson Seedless (Sultanina) variety, which are sold to some extent for table use, are widely produced in the San Joaquin Val- ley where the long, warm, dry summers develop the necessary sugar and facilitate sun-drying. The major area of table grape production is also in the San Joaquin Valley, but in subareas of special adapta- [30] tion— for example, the Flame Tokay grape around Lodi and the Emperor grape in Tulare County. Both table and raisin grapes are used in wine making along with the special wine varieties— particularly for dessert wines and brandy. Table wine grapes are produced mainly in the central coast region, but inland, where they attain moderate yields and high quality without irrigation. The minimum size of vineyard for a family farm varies by kind of grape and location. It may be as low as 25 acres in the best table grape areas. With raisin grapes, 40 to 50 acres would be required; with nonirrigated wine grapes, up to 60 or 80 acres. Prices per acre vary widely, but the capital required in normal times will probably be about $30,000 for a family-sized vineyard. Minor fruits. There are several other types of fruit farms in California, each more or less limited to a particular area or set of conditions. Avocados are pro- duced in small, frost-free areas in the south coast region. Olives are grown in many of the warmer interior districts, especially around Oroville and Corning, in the Sacramento Valley, and Lindsay, in the San Joaquin Valley. Figs are pro- duced mainly in Fresno, Merced, and Tulare counties in the San Joaquin; but there is some commercial acreage of cer- tain varieties in the Sacramento Valley and the south coast region. Such farms would require 20 acres or more for an adequate unit. Dates are found only in the Coachella and Imperial valleys; and because of the high labor requirement, a date garden of 10 acres is considered ade- quate. Strawberries and bush berries are grown in all but the desert and moun- tain regions. Field crops — some are irrigated, some dry-farmed Field crop farms are of two main types —nonirrigated grain farms and irrigated farms, producing, for example, rice, cot- ton, or alfalfa. Small grains, barley, wheat, and some oats are grown in Cali- fornia, largely on nonirrigated land or under soil and other conditions unsuited to higher-value crops. Grain and grain hay are planted from late fall to early spring, in order to take advantage of winter rains, and are harvested in the dry summer. In some areas land is summer-fallowed for a year, a single crop being obtained once in two years, or once or twice in three years. Grain farms are usually specialized, though some growers also keep sheep or cattle to utilize the stubble and pasture. Some grain is grown under irrigation as a catch crop on otherwise idle land or in rotation with irrigated field crops, such as cotton and alfalfa in the San Joaquin Valley. Grain farmers tend to large operations because land can easily be rented, usually for one fourth of the crop, and because full use must be made of the large, ex- pensive equipment needed. A competent man with several thousand dollars' worth of equipment and a good local reputation can usually rent enough land for a mini- mum sized commercial business. From 200 to 300 crop acres are considered necessary— more with summer-fallow or poor land. The investment would be about $12,000 for equipment and $25,000 or more for land, plus some operating capital. Rice farming is limited to heavy basin soils, largely in the Sacramento Valley, where the land may be economically flooded during the summer growing pe- riod. In type and equipment, rice growing, is similar to grain growing and the two are sometimes combined, since the rice- land needs rest or rotation. Acreage of crop for a family farm can be smaller with rice than with grain, but the capital requirement is probably somewhat higher. Other field crops. Alfalfa, cotton, sugar beets, dry beans, and in some areas potatoes and certain vegetables, such as melons, tomatoes, onions, and sweet po- tatoes, are widely grown on irrigated [31] field crop farms, usually in suitable local combinations, but often as single crops, one to a farm. This type of farming is common in San Joaquin, Sacramento, Imperial, and Salinas valleys; but the crops selected will be different in the different areas. Around 80 acres of good irrigated cropland are considered neces- sary for an adequate sized farm. Such land varies widely in value, according to location and the quality of the soil. In normal times it costs $200 to $600 an acre, but mostly about $300, without im- provements or equipment. An adequate farm with buildings and equipment would normally cost about $30,000. Many vari- ations are possible, some with beef or dairy cattle, sheep, or hogs as a supple- mental enterprise. Poultry raising is usually specialized Poultry production in California is largely on small, specialized farms where all feed, except a little green feed, is pur- chased, or where poultry raising is com- bined with some nonrelated enterprise. The land required for a recommended family unit of 1,500 to 3,000 hens is small— 2 to 5 acres— and its quality is unimportant but good drainage is needed. It should be located, however, within a few miles of a feed source and also a market for eggs, such as a branch of one of the cooperative poultry associations, which cover most of the state. Enterprise-management studies con- ducted by the Agricultural Extension Service over the last twenty-five years show the net farm income of the compe- tent poultryman to have averaged a little over $1 per hen annually— in some years as low as 45 cents, and in other years over $2. This net farm income is the amount by which income exceeds cash costs and depreciation, but not interest. The pros- pective poultryman may safely plan on making about $1.25 per hen for living and debt retirement. He may estimate the size of business needed on this basis and decide whether he needs 1,500 or 2,000 or some other number of hens to support his family. (See Ext. Cir. 147, The Chicken Business in California. ) The capital invested, including the stock, averages about $8 per hen, but new construction would cost more. The land, buildings, equipment, and operator's dwelling for a 2,000-hen farm may cost as little as $15,000, but since it would take some months and another $6,000 or more of operating capital to stock the place from baby chicks, the total capital re- quired will usually be over $20,000. Poultry farming in general involves constant but not arduous manual labor and offers gainful employment to some with physical limitations. It may be readily combined with other enterprises on a limited scale. For example, a 10-acre orchard and 1,000 hens will make an ade- quate family unit, with some advantages over a specialized single-enterprise unit of either. In several parts of the state, turkeys and turkey eggs for hatching are pro- duced on specialized farms and also in connection with other enterprises. Tur- keys do well and California is a leading turkey-producing state. (See Ext. Cir. 170, The Turkey Business in California.) Dairy farming is pretty highly specialized Dairying is widely distributed and im- portant in California. Although it is some- times found in connection with other enterprises on diversified farms, most of it is on specialized dairy farms where crops are grown mainly to furnish forage for the herd. Details, with sample costs and returns, are given in Ext. Cir. 156, Dairy Farm Management in California. The feeds produced vary widely by re- gions and areas. In some of the coast counties, natural pasture is depended upon, and production is highly seasonal to fit the feed supply. The milk is usually sold for manufacturing— butter, cheese, evaporated milk, dried milk, etc. [32 In the irrigated interior valleys, dairy enterprises are associated with alfalfa and irrigated pasture, about 1% to 2 acres of irrigated land being sufficient to feed a cow and the usual proportion of young stock in the herd. Some of these dairies sell manufacturing milk, and some sell market milk. The latter, in California, re- quires artificial refrigeration, because of the high health standards that must be met. It has a higher production cost, but usually also a high enough selling price to make it more profitable than the manu- facturing milk. About two thirds of the total milk pro- duction in the state is Grade A or market milk. In some corral or dry-lot dairies near Los Angeles, cows are fed hay brought in from distant areas, and milk production is almost a factory process, utilizing purchased feed and replacement cows. A dairy farm of the minimum size to support a family will range from 20 to 40 cows, depending on the kind of feed, the quality of the herd, and the needs of the family. According to enterprise-man- agement studies conducted over the years, the net farm incomes from the dairy en- terprise and associated feed-production enterprises have averaged about $120 per cow. The 20-cow to 30-cow farm with enough land to produce the needed forage should, if well managed, have an average net farm income of $3,000, although in the past this has fluctuated considerably with changes in costs and prices. In the interior irrigated valleys, with alfalfa and irrigated pasture as forage, a 20-cow dairy would require 30 to 40 acres. In nonirrigated coastal regions, with natural range as the main feed, the land require- ment may be as high as 500 acres. A single-family dairy farm of about 20 cows, with the necessary land, buildings, equipment, stock, and dwelling, will prob- ably involve, in normal times, an invest- ment of $25,000. Since the size of the herd definitely limits the net-income pos- sibilities, it is safer to have a liberal num- ber of cows to meet living and debt-re- tirement costs— perhaps 25 or 30, instead of 20. Using modern milking machines and other facilities, one man with some help from his family can handle most of the dairy and field work for this num- ber of cows in California, where most of the feed can be obtained from pasture the major part of the year. Some farms are rented, the tenant usually owning the stock and movable equipment, which requires an investment of about $400 a cow, or $10,000 for a 25-cow dairy. Rent is usually a fixed monthly payment, or the income from an agreed quantity of milk. Because of the constant nature of the work, a larger dairy farm involving a family and a hired hand, or two families, is recommended and is actually more common in California. Usually the owner acts as manager, does most of the crop work, and hires a milker to handle the 50 to 60 cows. Such a farm would be at least double the family farm in size and investment. By providing for two full- time year-round workers it would permit vacations, better working conditions, and more efficient utilization of equipment. Livestock raising takes considerable investment There are two main types of livestock farms in California: the range-stock ranch, and the general farm where live- stock are raised or fed in connection with crop production. Much of the land in farms, as tabulated by the Census of Agri- culture, is in natural pasture or range; and some additional public and privately owned land is utilized for grazing live- stock, mostly beef cattle and sheep. Grazing in the national forest and pub- lic domain is by permits or allotments, granted to allocate the available range among the various ranchers, according to their needs and their past operations. The range resources of California are fully utilized, and the newcomer must [33 tv ^p* ^v • ^-.r^***""* s. >v- I -"V^^^^ f§?>!' mmm V Some farmers diversify their activities. Here are beef cattle being grazed on Sudangrass. After one grazing, the Sudangrass may be irrigated, allowed to grow, then harvested for seed. purchase or rent an already existing ranch. The natural growth of grass in California is seasonal and since the for- age in any area is of high quality for only part of the year, range livestock must be moved to different areas or must receive supplemental feeds. Cattle and sheep operations vary widely with the kind of range and supple- mental feed available. Some ranchers operate breeding herds and sell feeder calves, steers, or lambs. Others, on better ranges, can market grass-fat animals. Still others have supplemental feeds for finishing the stock raised and hence can sell fat stock for immediate slaughter. Some few ranchers on seasonal ranges, as in the Coast Range, buy feeder calves or yearlings for further development on their ranges, selling them for slaughter or further feeding at the end of the pas- ture season. Cattle ranches vary widely, by loca- tion and kind, in the size of herd, and the acreage required for an adequate family farm. Usually 100 breeding cows are considered necessary, with sufficient owned or rented range land, and enough cropland to produce the required hay for supplementing the range. Where all land is owned, as in the Coast Range, 500 to 5,000 acres are required for a herd of this size with an investment probably around $40,000 for the range alone. Even in the mountain region, where graz- ing rights on public lands are available to ranchers, the total investment for a stock ranch is rather high, since hay land and private range are also required. The land, buildings, and livestock would mean a minimum investment of $40,000 to $60,000 for a cattle business of 100 cows, with the usual bulls and young stock. In fact, cattle ranches are usually larger than this minimum and are rather firmly held by owners of substantial means, so that there is little opportunity for the newcomer with limited capital. Sheep ranches are somewhat similar to cattle ranches in the acreage required for a family farm, but would need 600 to 1,000 breeding ewes in place of the 100 breeding cows. Sheep are better suited to some of the more seasonal [34 ranges, because of the lower flock feed requirement after lambs are sold at the end of the best pasture season. An enterprise-management study over the thirteen prewar years in the north coast region has shown that a sheepman with 700 ewes in that region, owning his range free of debt and doing his own work, made an average annual income of about $2,000 a year— some years much less and some years more. His investment was about $21,000 for the range and sheep enterprise, not including the cost of the dwelling. Current earnings and prices would be about double the above as a result of higher lamb and wool prices. On the aver- age the sheep man in the coast counties needed about 3 acres of range land per ewe, but this varied from a little over 1 acre in coastal valleys to more than 5 acres in the drier interior. Farther in- land, under poorer natural feed condi- tions, where only feeder lambs are pro- duced, 1,000 ewes and 6,000 acres or even more might be required for a mini- mum family-sized sheep ranch. Livestock on farms. There is also considerable livestock production and feeding on general or diversified farms in the valley. Cattle, sheep, and hogs often utilize surplus grain, grain stubble, and other crop residues. Beef steers and lambs from the ranges are fattened in irrigated pastures and on other crops and in feed lots. Swine. California now produces locally less than a quarter of its consump- tion of pork, since hog production is profitable, in the long run, only where pasture, garbage, or some by-product or crop residue is available to keep the cost below that of grain alone. Hence hogs are found on several kinds of farms where there is grain, grain stubble, or irrigated pasture; or where cull fruits, garbage, or waste from food processing can be used to reduce the feed cost. Around 45 per cent of our swine production is from specialized garbage-feeding establish- ments. (See Ext. Cir. 166, The Garbage Hog Feeding Business in California.) In general, livestock production on irrigated pasture is less profitable than dairying or the growing of field, vege- table, or fruit crops. Irrigated land will be devoted to pasture largely where more profitable land uses are not available or where, in diversified farming, it makes possible better utilization of other crops About 40 per cent of the hogs raised in California are produced on large-scale garbage feeding establishments. Garbage is hauled by trucks from near-by cities and dumped onto feeding floors. 35] or natural pastures and range or is used in rotations to improve soil productivity. There are over 600,000 acres of irrigated pasture in the state now, and it is in- creasing. A family-sized diversified crop and livestock farm on irrigated land will probably require 60 to 100 acres and an investment of $25,000 to $40,000. Such a unit appears well suited for some of the new lands that may be brought under irrigation in the Great Valley. It would have the advantages of diversification— namely, several sources of income, fuller utilization of crop residues, better main- tenance of soil fertility, and a more stable labor requirement throughout the year. No standard organization can be recom- mended. The acres of each crop and of irrigated pasture will differ with the locality, and the kind of livestock will vary with the crops and the preferences of the operator. Vegetable farming is very highly specialized California is a great vegetable-produc- ing state. Within the last 30 years it has 9. '. KlftliiC Large-scale vegetable gardening is not un- common in parts of California. Here carrots, grown in the Imperial Valley, are harvested. developed distant markets for large vol- umes of head lettuce, carrots, asparagus, peas, tomatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, snap beans, melons, artichokes, and other truck crops. High quality of product and time of marketing have made this possible. Production in any area is rather large-scale and specializes in a few locally adapted crops for carlot or truckload shipment to distant markets. There are not many market gardeners who grow any considerable variety of vegetables, in small amounts, for the local market. Instead, most vegetable farms resemble the irrigated field crop farms already discussed, and large-scale, commercial operations, rather than family farms, dominate the field. Many of the vegetables for eastern shipment are produced by grower-shippers, who not only raise them but operate large, efficient packing houses and do their own marketing. Since much of the land is rented, the large commercial grower can move his operations in order to concentrate on the most profitable crops. Rent is usually cash and currently is $40 to $100 an acre annually. Two crops a year are obtain- able with some crop combinations in most of the vegetable areas. Although production is usually large- scale, there are some small vegetable farms, especially around the larger cities, producing mainly for the local markets, but with some interstate shipment. As a rule, such producers are under more of a marketing handicap than the small fruit growers with their cooperative packing houses. The able and industrious vegetable worker with a little capital can, however, often rent land and produce crops with a chance of making a living and increas- ing the scope of his operations to a profit- able level. In some of the best districts where two crops a year are possible, 20 acres of land (40 acres of crops) would probably be the minimum for a family farm. Since it is seldom possible to 36 double-crop all the land or to have it all in short-period crops, the general mini- mum of 40 acres is recommended. This will vary with the area and the crops A highly important factor in the suc- cess of the individual farmer is the size of his business (not necessarily the num- ber of acres he owns) as it determines his net income or meets his and his family's needs. Net farm income is derived from the gainful employment of three things- labor, capital (including land) , and man- agement. The proportion of the income from each of these items will vary with the size and type of farm. The man with no capital and little or no managerial ability has only labor to offer and so will obtain his best living by working as a laborer for others. The man with man- agerial ability but no capital will prob- ably also work for others, at least for a while. The man with only capital will need to make a large investment, find a good manager, and employ several laborers in order to obtain a return. But the man who wants to be an ordinary farmer with a comfortable living must depend on his own labor, capital, and management. One of his most important managerial jobs is to select a farm of the right size. Experience has shown that the average farmer just about makes wages for his labor, plus a small return or rate of in- terest for his invested capital. Farmers who manage better than the average ob- tain a profit over and above wages and interest. Net income over the years will be determined largely by the amount of labor and capital employed and by the quality of the management. These factors must be considered in determining the grown; it should in some cases be 80 to 100 acres. The total capital required for land and equipment would be $25,000 to $40,000 in normal times. How big should a farm be to support a family? size of farm best suited to any individual. The following discussion of farm sizes should be valuable in helping the new farmer to choose. Large farms — efficient but vulnerable California contains some large farms- owned by corporations, partnerships, estates, or individuals. By large, is meant larger than the two- and one-family farms discussed below. A few farms are large through inheritance of tracts from the early days of Spanish and Mexican land grants, before California was a part of the United States. Some are large through the investment of capital earned and saved in other pursuits or through the higher profits obtained by combining production with marketing. But some farms become large through the efficient farming operations of a good manager— usually over a long period. Some remain profitable under good economical management. Others prove unprofitable for various reasons and ulti- mately may be dispersed or subdivided. All enjoy certain advantages over the small farm because of greater buying and selling power and fuller utilization of the most efficient large-scale equipment. But all are vulnerable to poor management and high overhead and labor costs where employees are incompetent or lack in- terest. The disadvantages of such large- scale farming practically offset the ad- vantages. Large farms will not dominate Cali- fornia agriculture and swallow up all the [37 small farms, nor will they all fail and be replaced by family-sized units. For the man with considerable capital who wishes to own and operate a large farm and to make a small return on his invested capi- tal, there are places occasionally for sale in all of the major agricultural regions in California. Two-family farms are most desirable The two-family farm provides continu- ous employment for two full-time workers and sufficient net income for the support of two families. The two may be a father and son, a supervising landlord and working tenant, two partners, or a work- ing owner-operator and a year-round hired hand. Such a business offers many of the advantages of larger size, since it is large enough for efficient operation, ownership of required equipment, and a desirable degree of diversification. Two available workers facilitate the oper- ations requiring two men and permit va- cations and rotation of work even where livestock need daily attention. The farm is also large enough to support both parties involved while ownership is pass- ing from father to son or from retiring landlord to tenant. And the higher net income available to the owner-operator will enable him to pay for the place from its earnings during his active years. Under current and foreseeable condi- tions, this size is probably the most de- sirable, especially for livestock, dairy, and irrigated, diversified farms with livestock. The acreage and capital re- quired would be about double those given for a minimum-sized family farm. One-family farms are often too small The goal of the family farm is the support of a family from commercial farming activity alone. It should provide security, with an income adequate to keep the family active members of the community, able to survive climatic hazards and economic depressions. Since the plane of living in California is rather high, an average annual net income after all expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, of around $3,000 a year is sug- gested as a goal, although the sum can vary from $1,800 to $5,000 according to the needs and abilities of the farm family. The size of business to provide this net income naturally varies by locality and type of farm. With a cattle ranch the investment and acreage are large, but the labor requirement is low, so that most of the net income is from invested capital. With a citrus orchard of 15 acres, $45,000 could, over the years, have an average return of 5 per cent or $2,250, while the operator's labor of 1,000 hours annually would give him perhaps another $750 to make an average total net income of $3,000. With poultry, an investment of $20,000 for a 2,000-hen business should return $1,000 while the 2,500 hours of labor annually would bring $2,000-a total of $3,000. In this example more of the net farm income is from labor. A buyer cannot be sure that his invest- ment will return 5 per cent. It cannot if he invests more than is justified by the long-time earning power of his farm. He can usually depend on making farm wages for his labor on his own place. An adequate farm business should provide him with full employment during that part of the year when there is work to be done, so that these hours at going wages will approach those needed to provide a minimum living for his family in years of low capital returns. Where a 5 per cent return on invested capital plus the farm wages earned by the operator does not meet income needs, the farm is too small, since management cannot be expected to make much on a small farm. A good check on the size of a contem- plated farm business is local inquiry. Local farmers, the County Farm Ad- visors, and others will know, through ex- perience and observation, what size farm [38] of each local type will support a family. The penalty for getting too small a busi- ness is so severe and lasting that the buyer must take all precautions to insure adequacy. Where part of the net income must go for rent or repayment of a purchase debt, a larger farm is required. If the family need were $2,500 annually for living and they had the $25,000 to buy a 25-cow dairy farm outright, they could earn a living— at least if they saved in good years to carry them over poor ones. But if they had only $15,000 capital they might well borrow $15,000 and get a 30- cow dairy farm in order to have enough income to make a debt payment of around $1,000 a year and still have about $2,000 left to live on. The annual net farm income from a given farm is subject to wide variations from natural, managerial, and economic causes. To a certain extent a family can absorb a part of these income changes in the amount they spend. But a little extra size is recommended to provide a buffer against prolonged periods of low prices and low income and as a surplus for growth of business and progressive improvement in standard of living. The final and safest check on the size of the business is to calculate a budget of probable income and expenses of the farm chosen for purchase. Income esti- mates should be careful yet conservative. They should be based on reasonable average yield or production expectations for that particular farm, as determined by local inquiry among informed but disinterested persons. Price estimates should be based on actual past prices over recent years, but adjusted to the future outlook for the commodities in question. They should be applicable to the grade of product, method, and point of sale. Costs of operation (including taxes, water, or power costs, hired labor, and all other expenses) should be ascer- tained on a liberal basis and subtracted from total income to obtain the expected future average annual net farm income. If this net income is too small to meet estimated living requirements and re- quired loan payments, then the farm is too small or too poor. This approach to the problem may seem difficult and com- plicated. Local advice will be available, however, and most financing agencies re- quire such a budget or will help to make it in connection with granting a loan. Part-time farms will not provide a living A part-time farm is one with some agri- cultural produce for sale, but with an in- come too small to maintain a family. The success of such a farm depends, there- fore, upon the reliability of outside in- come, whether from investments, pen- sions, or employment away from home. In size the business can vary from just smaller than a family farm on down to the subsistence farm, or small farm home— the latter differs in that no pro- duction for sale is undertaken. California already has many such places— in some counties over half the farms listed by the census are too small to qualify as family farms under normal conditions. Many of these were developed or purchased in the mistaken idea that they were adequate for a family; unfor- tunately they continue to be resold on that basis. Occupants of such farms without additional income are forced to seek local employment, and their own agricultural production is liable to suffer. During the depression of the 1930's, when agricultural prices and wages were low and work opportunities lacking, many of these part-time farmers were forced to seek relief. There is a limited but definite place, however, for the part- time farm provided the buyer realizes what he is getting and perceives its possi- bilities and limitations. The part-time farm offers an attractive mode of life to partially disabled or to retired persons with dependable annui- ties—persons who wish to employ a little [39 capital and labor in suitable small com- mercial farming activities and to produce some of their food supply at home. It may also enable the seasonal worker in indus- try or in local agriculture to supplement his wage income and develop and enjoy a home of his own. Those dependent on outside employment should look to its suitability and dependability and per- haps should be locally employed at least a year before buying a part-time farm. The purchase of such a place because of inadequate capital to cover a full-sized family farm, and with only the hope of obtaining employment, will usually lead to disappointment and failure and should be avoided. Part-time farming should not be under- taken by an owner who is fully employed off the farm unless other members of the family have time and ability to carry on the agricultural production, or unless he is willing to devote his few free hours to an enterprise that fits his daily schedule. A part-time farm cannot be depended upon to carry an otherwise employed per- son over prolonged periods of unemploy- ment, because the profit from a small- scale agricultural enterprise is also apt to be lacking in such periods. Certain operating and overhead costs continue even when there is no income from any source. The disadvantages of part-time farm- ing should be fully realized. It is difficult to produce many fruit and vegetable crops of satisfactory market quality and quantity on a small scale and without ex- pensive equipment. Where certain oper- ations requiring such equipment can be hired on a contract basis, as in some citrus districts, the charge must be high per acre or per tree because of the small- ness of the job. In comparison with full- scale commercial farms, production costs tend to be higher on small part-time enterprises, and prices and profits lower. Part-time farms usually cost more per acre and have higher taxes because of their location in suburban residential areas. With many crops, difficulty is en- countered in marketing small volume. Some enterprises such as livestock, dairy- ing, and field crops are not suited to part- time farming. Some fruits and vegetables, flowers, poultry, and rabbits are about the only opportunities offered by the part-time farm. Small farm homes are for pleasure, not income The subsistence farm, or suburban or rural home, is not intended as a commer- cial undertaking. It is purely a home in the suburbs or the open country, with production limited to food for family use and with only occasional small surpluses sold or given away. These homes are usually based upon personal preference for such a location and upon the hope of reducing costs or enjoying a better living for the same expenditure. Such a home can offer some advantages to suit- able families, especially where water, electricity, gas, and telephones are avail- able and where transportation costs to and from work or town are not large. It is usually better suited to the fully em- ployed person or to one with adequate income than the part-time farm men- tioned in the previous section. The amount of money saved by pro- ducing part of the family food supply can easily be overestimated. Such pro- duction is not without expense for water, seed, fertilizers, feed, and other items. Nowhere in California can a family pro- duce its entire supply of fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, and meat. Around Los An- geles on high-priced land, where the small farm home is common, few attempt to keep a cow or to raise large meat animals. Home food production is limited to a few locally adapted fruits and vege- tables, poultry for eggs and meat, and sometimes rabbits and a milk goat. Only % to % acre of land can be profitably used under these conditions, including space for the home. The saving in food cost can seldom be over $300 for an aver- [40 age family. Where land is less expensive and it is feasible to keep a cow, another $150 can be saved. Under certain con- ditions the production of veal, beef, lamb, or pork can further increase these savings. Although more common near the cities, country homes are also found in some remote areas, occupied by workers in mines, sawmills, and road crews. Home food production, though usually limited by the soil, climate, and water supply, may contribute to the family's welfare. One way for a man with little capital and experience to enter the farming busi- ness is to start at the bottom. As a foot- loose hired laborer he can explore the different regions and types of farming before choosing a permanent activity and location. He will gain experience and, if industrious and frugal, can save a little. With some types of farming his next step is to rent a piece of land or a farm and there increase his earnings by em- ploying a little capital and his managerial ability. The next step is the down pay- ment on a farm of his own, with expecta- tion of completing the payment during his working lifetime and finally arriving at full ownership— having made a living over the years and saved the capital in- vested in the farm. At the present time, with high land values and intense com- petition, progress upward is slow; and there is room for only a limited number of farm owners at the top. Other posi- tions along the way are worthy, however, of consideration. Farm labor — the largest part is seasonal The farm labor situation in California is quite different from that in midwestern Small farm homes should be undertaken only by those with adequate income and with a preference for this way of life. If properly developed and utilized, they can improve the nutrition and standard of living of the occupants. Although they cannot support a family during periods of unemployment or low income, they do cushion distress and are probably better places to be poor than rented houses in town. Anyone interested should consult Ext. Cir. 168, Planning a Small Farm Home. Entering California agriculture without capital is very difficult and eastern states. The farm hand, whether temporary or year around, sel- dom lives with the farm family. On larger farms, single men who make up a con- siderable portion of the farm workers are hired by the hour or day or piece rate and are housed and fed in bunkhouses and labor camps, either on the farm or at a central camp. They may come or be brought out to the farm daily from some near-by town or camp. Regular year- around workers with families are usually furnished cottages or cabins on the farm or may come to work daily from their own homes in town or on small farms. Temporary workers with families are furnished campsites or cabins on the farm or in a central labor camp. The need for farm workers is highly seasonal, particularly in smaller areas, so to obtain anything approaching reason- ably full employment the temporary or seasonal worker must move from farm to farm and even to different parts of the state. The graph presented on page 42 shows the number of workers by kind and by months. The unskilled seasonal worker in Cali- fornia agriculture is at the bottom of the agricultural ladder. When there is heavy 41 500- 400 300 200 100 Temporary and emergency workers WORKERS ON CALIFORNIA FARMS By months — during 1950 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jon. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. This bar chart, drawn from figures provided by the State Department of Employment, shows that the number of year-around workers in California farms varies but little during the year, and that most opportunities for getting into agricultural work are in the temporary worker classifications. demand for workers, as in harvesting valuable crops, hourly and piece-work rates are comparatively high and earn- ings are good. During part of the year, however, there is little employment avail- able and many workers must move to other areas or occupations or maintain themselves with only occasional jobs. Housing or camping facilities for fam- ilies, camps and bunkhouses for single men, although still far from adequate, are being improved and increased. The skillful and diligent family can make a living at these seasonal jobs, but such people are exceptional and usually settle down to more permanent work as soon as possible. Seasonal work can, however, provide an opportunity to see the state and gain some experience. There are also in California around 100,000 workers who are hired more or less on a year-round basis. These regular workers include skilled tractor drivers, truck drivers, milkers, and irrigators, be- sides general farm hands who can per- form a variety of tasks without super- vision. Some are engaged on a monthly basis, others are paid by the hour, but have regular work over most of the year. Family men are often provided houses and other things in addition to wages. For many years, farm wages have been considerably higher in California than elsewhere. Some permanent employees receive, besides regular wages, a bonus from the profits. Such men may have an- nual incomes equal to what they might earn in other occupations or on small family farms of their own. From 1935 to 1939, wage rates varied from 30 to 50 cents an hour, with a 9-hour day and a 26-day month prevalent, and with monthly wages around $100 plus a house. Since World War II, rates have been 70 to 85 cents (with some few at $1 or more) and monthly rates about $200 or more. [42 Regular farm employment offers an op- portunity to gain experience, to become established in a community, and perhaps to make limited savings toward a start in farming. It is one way in which to qualify for better farm jobs or for opportunities to rent or operate farms on shares. Contract work pays, but requires some equipment There are also job opportunities in farm service occupations, such as the servicing and repair of equipment, the handling and marketing of products, and the performance of operations on a con- tract basis. In areas where there are many small farms, contract operators do much of the plowing and other tillage, the spraying and other pest control work, and the application of fertilizers. In some of the field-crop areas, contract operators with large efficient equipment do con- siderable harvesting work, such as thresh- ing and hay baling. Contract operators who possess equipment and who can ob- tain a skilled crew may often perform certain operations more economically than can the farmer himself with owned equipment and seasonal help. With the development of other large expensive machines, such as the beet topper and the cotton picker, this type of business is increasing. Thus, the experi- enced farm worker with sufficient capi- tal, or the part-time farmer, can improve his earnings by obtaining equipment, assembling a crew, and serving a number of farmers and absentee owners on a con- tract basis. Airplanes and helicopters are doing a large and increasing quantity of farm work in pest and weed control, and in seeding. Operators work on a contract basis, at rates favorable to themselves and to the farmers. Preparing land for strip check irrigation is a job for engineers with heavy equipment. Success depends on having the soil table-smooth; the slope or "fall" accurate to a matter of 2 inches in 100 feet so the water will flow at exactly the right speed and cover the area to a stated depth. [43 Leasing usually takes a good local reputation The renting of family-sized farms is less prevalent in California than in the central and eastern states. The 1945 Census of Agriculture listed 17,121 ten- ants in California (12% of all farm oper- ators), with 14,106 more who rent part of the land farmed. Many of these are large commercial operators specializing in certain crops. They rent here and there to concentrate on the preferred crop or crops and sometimes to avoid the neces- sity of crop rotation. Some of these are grain growers, rice growers, lettuce growers, and potato growers who rent considerable acreages and own expensive special equipment. There will always be opportunities to rent irrigated land for field and vegetable crops. Opportunities to rent are not open, however, to newcomers with little capital. Adequate equipment and a good local reputation are usually required of any- one wishing to rent a farm. In Humboldt and Sonoma counties, many dairymen are tenants. Orchards and vineyards are seldom rented because the owners, even if living elsewhere, pre- fer to operate their own farms, using em- ployees or contractors. Even so, a tenant can sometimes operate such a farm for an absentee owner or estate— usually on a share basis. With field crops, the rental payments are usually a share of the crop but with vegetables they are predomi- nantly cash, usually payable in advance. The operating capital required in leasing will vary widely with the type of farm. With grain and rice, a large trac- tor and other equipment costing about $12,000 may be required, plus sufficient cash to continue operations until further capital can be borrowed on the growing crop. With livestock and dairy farms the tenant usually owns the stock and mov- able equipment, but sometimes a man with no stock and little capital can oper- ate a place on shares. In general, to become the full renting operator of an adequate sized farm will require $3,000 to $15,000 of capital in stock, equipment, and cash. To provide the same family income after rent is paid, the rented farm must be larger than the farm that is owned. ia ore buying a Californ k of the things involved The purchase of a farm may easily be the most important step in a lifetime. Future financial success will largely de- pend upon the selection and upon the price or the terms of payment. The pur- pose to be served by the purchase is the first item to be considered. If the farm is bought as an investment for leasing or operation by employees or for later re- sale, it may not be the same kind of place that would be selected as a combined home and means of livelihood. Personal preferences concerning climate, com- munity, and type of farming become im- portant in the choice of a lifetime home and occupation. The right time to buy is difficult to determine The best time to buy a farm would naturally be when prices are low, just before they go up, if that time could be predicted. California land values have risen greatly only twice in recent times with the two great world wars, as shown in the graph on page 5. They have come down some thereafter both times. Now (in 1951) California land values have [44] fallen some from their high point in 1947 but have again turned upward, with the war in Korea and the upward trend in prices of farm products. For a more com- plete discussion of land values, see Cali- fornia Experiment Station Circular 379, California s Farm Real Estate Situation. Perhaps a few years from now would be a better time to buy a farm. The money might go farther. But it is doubtful if anyone can predict the low point, when it would be best to buy a farm. A few good years before the low point might help you pay for it faster from earnings. Buy when ready to buy, be sure the price and resulting purchase debt are not higher than those considered by com- petent appraisers to be within the range of possible repayment. Use the budget test on page 51 as a check on the adequacy of the farm; its ability to provide a living and pay debts. The Farm Credit Administration of the U.S.D.A. has a circular E-29 entitled, About That Farm You re Going to Buy, which will be helpful. Sufficient capital is a major requirement To purchase, equip, and get a farm into operation requires a considerable amount of capital. First, there's the down payment for the farm itself, usually from 10 to 40 per cent of the purchase price, depending on the risk involved and the seller or lending institution. Second, an additional investment in equipment and sometimes livestock is needed to get pro- duction under way. Third, there must be some additional operating capital for conducting farming operations until a crop is produced or income begins. This may be as long as 6 years, with new orchards. Fourth, there must also be some additional capital for personal living ex- penses until income exceeds operating costs. Some limited credit for the purchase of equipment and stock, and for oper- ating the farm is obtainable but usually for a short period with rather high re- payments. The greatest risk is in borrow- ing more than can be repaid. Past experience shows that half the total capital needed for all purposes is about all that can be safely borrowed and repaid with interest from farm earnings in the usual 20 to 30 years of a purchase loan. To borrow more means greater sacrifice in available funds for family living and also greater danger of serious defaults in debt payments, leading to financial failure and loss of farm. Where as much as 75 per cent of the total capital involved must be borrowed, success would depend on unusually favorable circumstances, permitting early, rapid re- duction of indebtedness before prices fall and conditions change, as well as unusual economy and management of the farm and business affairs. For example, to buy and stock a single- family, 25-cow dairy farm might involve $20,000 for the real estate and $10,000 for stock, movable equipment and oper- ating capital. A purchase loan of 75 per cent on the real estate ($15,000) could probably be obtained. Payments on a 4% P er cent loan amortized over 30 years would be $921 a year. An estimate of average net income for this farm is $2,500 a year for living and debt retire- ment. Deducting $921 would leave $1,579 for personal use, and that would fluctuate up and down from year to year. That is about all that could be safely borrowed— $15,000 or half the total capital required. To borrow $4,000 additional on cows and equipment on a five-year loan at 5 per cent would require an average annual payment of $924. These two payments of $1,845 are too much from a net of $2,500 or even $3,000. Apply a similar budget test before in- curring any debt. Carefully estimate fu- ture income, expense and net income to see if that net income will cover debt service and living costs. Lending insti- tutions will help if requested and may require such a test in making the loan. [45] Table 4. Annual Payments to Amortize a Loan of $1,000 Number of years 4o/o 41/2% 5% 6% 1 $1,040.00 $1,045.00 $1,050.00 $1,060.00 3 360.35 363.77 367.21 374.11 5 224.63 227.79 230.97 237.40 10 123.29 126.38 129.50 135.87 15 89.94 93.11 96.34 102.96 20 73.58 76.88 80.24 87.18 25 64.01 67.44 70.95 78.23 30 57.83 61.39 65.05 72.65 35 53.58 57.27 61.07 68.97 40 50.52 54.34 58.28 66.46 Anyone with insufficient capital should consider waiting for a better time to buy; one when more capital is available or when values are down so that the limited capital will go farther. Credit is useful, but within its limitations Modern farming requires so much capital for land, equipment, and oper- ations that most new farmers have to bor- row. The proper use of credit makes it possible for them to farm where they otherwise would not. It also makes pos- sible farming on a larger, more profit- able scale. Occasionally credit also makes possible a continuation in business when some unforeseen circumstance or crop failure results in a loss of income. Borrowing and using the capital of others involves risks to both lender and borrower. The lender to safeguard his capital demands a mortgage on property that can be turned into cash to satisfy the debt. The borrower faces loss of essential property if he cannot meet his payments. Credit should therefore be used wisely and only for productive purposes. By produc- tive purposes is meant where farming operations that are made possible result in enough net income to repay the loan with interest and leave some additional for increased personal income. Credit must be used very sparingly to maintain personal expenditures for living at an accustomed level in the face of de- clining income. This results in using up one's capital and impairs financial secur- ity, and results ultimately in loss of the farm. California is well served by credit facilities, both for short-term loans of operating capital and for purchase loans. Qualified veterans have been granted spe- cial aid in obtaining credit by state and federal legislation. They are advised to inquire regarding these special programs at veteran advisory or service agencies. Private banks, cooperative production credit associations, and other agencies, both private and public, extend short- term credit for operating purposes. The amount and cost of such credit vary greatly with the borrower's needs and the risk involved. Rarely, however, can farming operations be financed entirely with borrowed funds. Operating loans are usually made only when secured by the net worth of the borrower, as shown in his financial state- ment, or by a chattel mortgage on a crop or other property. A newcomer cannot obtain such favorable short-term credit as the well-established farmer of good local reputation. In buying a farm one must reserve adequate funds to carry on operations until income begins. Sometimes advances may be obtained from cooperative or private marketing agencies. Such advances, however, on a [46 contract for the sale of farm products to a specific agency may result in a lower price than might otherwise be obtained and hence may be a high-cost form of credit. The purchase of feed and supplies on credit may also involve paying higher prices than when funds are borrowed from a lending agency and advantageous cash purchases are made. Credit for purchasing equipment, breeding stock, or dairy stock, or for mak- ing improvements with repayment over a number of years, may be obtained from banks, livestock credit associations, dealers, and other agencies. Repayment is usually secured by a chattel or a real estate mortgage. Short-term credit, with certain charges for inspection and other services and interest at 5 per cent and up, may easily increase operating costs enough to wipe out a net income. In gen- eral, short-term credit should be used as little as possible for ordinary operations, but may well be reserved for emergencies or for opportunities to expand or improve production and income. Again it is recommended that a budget of future income, costs, debt repayments, and living costs be used in obtaining credit of any kind. Farm purchase or long-time mortgage Assuming that the prospective farmer has in mind the size, type, and general location of the farm he would like to buy; that he is reasonably sure he has enough capital; the next job is to select one of several for consideration from among the farms available. There is no central place where all farms are listed for sale. The seller may put a "for sale" sign on his place, or advertise it in local newspapers or agricultural journals. He may list it with a real estate broker who in turn may credit is available from many sources, including individuals, commercial banks, and federal or state agencies. These vari- ous public and private lenders are on a more or less competitive basis. Policies vary in appraisal of the farm, in the per- centage of appraised value that will be loaned, in the rate of interest, and in the period and method of repayment. Pur- chase loans are usually made with interest rates at 4 to 5 per cent and with repay- ment periods up to 40 years. In general, the farm buyer can borrow all that he can safely undertake to repay from his net income over the period of the loan. If he borrows more than this, he incurs the risk of losing the farm and his own investment therein. In financing a farm, the purchaser will do well to elect a long repayment period with a low rate of interest, but with the privilege of earlier or advance payments as a reserve against periods of low prices when regular payments become impos- sible. A strong, understanding, lending institution is usually a better source of long-term credit than an individual since it can make loans and furnish better serv- ice over longer periods. It is also less likely to make loans that cannot be repaid from earnings. The actual farm purchase involves laws and customs list it with other brokers, or advertise it. Or the owner may merely pass the word to friends that he is thinking about selling. By direct inquiry, it is possible to find a place that hasn't been put up for sale, that can be purchased through a satis- factory offer. The search may require considerable time and travel. But remem- ber this— poor, undesirable farms are more likely to be for sale, and to be ad- vertised, than good ones. When a farm that looks promising is [47 found, apply all steps suggested in this circular. Make a lot of local inquiries. Get all the information possible from the owner or seller as to soil, water supply, grazing permits (if a ranch), acreage of various crops or land use, yields per acre, average income and prices, costs, etc. Then check this information with out- side sources, neighbors, marketing agen- cies handling the products, etc. Look up the place on the County Assessor's maps and learn the assessed value and county taxes. Talk to the local Farm Advisor. Being a public employee he can give you general information and advice, but can- not go over the place with a prospective purchaser, without the consent of the owner. He is not an appraiser, so cannot suggest a fair price. Use the check sheet of success factors at the end of this cir- cular. Then if this farm appears good enough and big enough to meet all needs, apply a budget test as suggested above. If it qualifies there, it is time to consider price and the making of an offer. If one is not too familiar with values, or has difficulty in making a budget test, it would be well to employ a competent rural appraiser. He can help with a budget and work out a price based on probable earning power of the farm. The actual purchase is usually initi- ated by making an offer. The seller may expect to bargain a little over price. This offer can be made subject to certain con- ditions, such as obtaining a purchase loan of a certain amount. Then before the deal is closed, it is necessary to apply for and obtain a loan. This brings in the financing agency with its appraisal. That alone may be ad- ditional assurance that the place is all right. If at any point in the negotiations or financing, the farm fails to qualify, regard this failure as a safeguard to you, the purchaser, not as evidence that the appraiser or lender is too conservative. Look further for a better farm that can qualify. California real estate laws provide that when a buyer or seller seeks and obtains from a licensed broker any service in connection with the sale of a listed prop- erty, a broker's commission of 5 per cent of the purchase price is collectible. Usually the seller pays the commission from the proceeds of the sale and thus reduces the net amount received for the property. It does not always follow, how- ever, that the price would be lower by the amount of the commission had the broker not been consulted. The broker does perform services in locating a farm, bringing buyer and seller together, nego- tiating the price, executing the contract of sale with its appropriate terms, and arranging for the escrow, title insurance, and financing. Exchange of money and mortgage notes, or a deed of trust on the part or behalf of the buyer on the one hand, in return for the deed to the property on the other, is usually accomplished in escrow by a local bank or title insurance com- pany. The validity of a title to California property may be assured through the pur- chase of the title insurance at a cost of from .5 to over 1.0 per cent of the pur- chase price (about $177 on a $30,000 deal), with some local variations. The insuring company investigates the title. If it grants the insurance, it guarantees the title to be good, at the time of trans- fer, to the amount of the policy. It will reimburse the policyholder for that amount if some earlier flaw in the title shows up at any later date, so long as he holds that property. Financing companies loaning on a mortgage usually require title insurance. Deeds and mortgages should be re- corded with the County Recorder, and federal documentary tax stamps are re- quired on the deed to an amount of 55 cents on each $500 of the purchase price. Prepaid or accrued taxes, insurance, and other overhead or expense items may be prorated between buyer and seller ac- cording to custom or specification in the [48 contract of purchase. The expense of ap- and seller should recognize the hazards praiser, broker, escrow, and title insur- incurred and substitute additional ade- ance can be avoided, but then both buyer quate safeguards. Above all . . . always keep in mind the success factors Extension Service over the last thirty years. These studies show that yield or production per acre or per cow or other producing unit is the most important profit-determining factor. The best profits go to farmers with good farms who man- age to achieve good production. On the methods employed, the newcomer can ob- tain much technical information from the College of Agriculture through its local Agricultural Extension Service offices and Farm Advisors. The second important consideration is the price received for products as it re- flects the quality of the product and the marketing choice of the operator in any given year. The usual producer in Cali- fornia can choose his marketing outlet among several excellent cooperative and private agencies, dealers, or processors. High costs seldom make a good farm unprofitable, and low costs seldom rescue a poor one. In determining profit, the more important factors are yield and price. Costs will, however, whittle away at profit or net income if not watched carefully. The successful farmer in Cali- fornia keeps good records, analyzes his business, attends educational and other farm meetings, and earns enough to pay a sizable income tax. Commercial farming in California is an intensive, specialized business. To be successful, good management and cor- rect technical information must be ap- plied. Farming is complicated by wide variations in income from year to year, so it requires careful management of fi- nances, both farm and personal, to keep solvent. Cash costs in producing crops and live- stock are greater in California than in most states. Local taxes are higher be- cause of the high land values and public services available. One must consider ir- rigation water costs; the high pest con- trol and fertilizer requirements of spe- cialty fruit and truck crops; the great seasonal need for labor, the high wages of help, and the elaborate mechanical equipment required. To meet these ex- penses adequately but not extravagantly, the farmer must be a capable financial manager. He must also be a skillful farmer so that his yields or production will cover these costs and leave a profit. His products must be good enough to command an adequate price, and he must market them at the proper time and place. Costs, returns, and profits for many important California farm enterprises have been studied by the Agricultural Try the check list of success factors for farming in California, shown on page 51. It might save an unfortunate experience for the newcomer to the state, or the present farmer who is thinking of making a change. ► [49 Answer "yes" or "no" to the questions in the check list below. The results should help to determine the chances for success of either a present farm, or a farm under consideration. If the answer is "yes" to all questions, the chances of success and long-time se- curity are excellent. If too many "no's" appear, it would pay to be wary of the investment. And here is a check list of the success factors If only a few "no's" appear, don't be disheartened because something can be done about all except possibly No. 2, which can be improved only by enlarging the present farm or changing its type. Note that "prices received for prod- ucts" is not mentioned in this list. While good prices will aid in the success of a farm, the operator should be able to with- stand low prices. Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, College of Agriculture, University of California, and United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, and June 30, 1914. J. Earl Coke, Director, California Agricultural Extension Service. [50 Check List of Success Factors in Farming 1. Is the farm business of adequate size? Is it big enough for commercial production, to meet income goal, to provide enough employment? 2. Are the natural facilities good? Has the farm suitable soil, climate, adequate water? Is the land adapted to the type of farm? Are good yields obtainable? 3. Are the other facilities and equipment available? Are they owned, owned jointly, rented, contracted for? Are essential buildings well planned and located? 4. Are the farm enterprises well selected and balanced? Are they profitable? Is it possible to specialize, or rotate enterprises to make best use of and maintain soil fertility? Can best use be made of labor, equipment, water? 5. Are high yields or production possible from each enterprise? Is the farm getting good production per producing unit, through proper selection of varieties, timely operations, cor- rect use of sprays, fertilizers, etc.? 6. Does the farm yield high quality products for each enterprise — i.e., the best commercial quality — through the use of proper varieties, cultural care and preparation? 7. Can production costs be kept low for each enterprise? Are the minimum essentials being provided in the most economical manner? Can good materials be bought at the best time and place? 8. Are the products being marketed wisely — sold by the best method, through the best channels, at the best time? 9. Is the financial management sound? Is the supportable mortgage debt or other credit being used only for productive purposes? Is the budget balanced, with available funds being wisely allo- cated to farm costs, debt retirement, capital outlay, and family living? 10. Are tenure and operating agreements secure? Is there a writ- ten lease (if rented) with renewal provisions and a fair rent? Is there a satisfactory, written father-son, or other partnership agreement? Is there a provision for transfer or inheritance in case of death? 11. Are the labor relations good? Is it possible to get and hold good workers, through good work- ing conditions, good treatment, training, and housing? 12. Does the farm make for a healthy, happy family? Is food being home-produced, for better nutrition and living? Is the farmstead planned for beauty, convenience, recreation? 40w-5,'51(4063)W.P. YES NO THIS DOOR SWINGS OPEN TO ANSWER COUNTY FARM ADVISOR QUESTIONS Bring your farming questions to your County Farm Advisor— he's an agricultural special- ist with a background of practical experi- ence. And he's there to help you. If he can't answer your question himself, he'll find someone who will. Farm Advisors serve 52 counties in Cali- fornia, with offices in the towns listed below. Get to know yours— make use of his free service. Alameda County: Post Office Bldg./ Hayward Butte County: Federal Bldg., Oroville Colusa County: Federal Bldg., Colusa Contra Costa County: Cowell Del Norte County: Post Office Bldg., Eureka El Dorado County: Post Office Bldg., Placerville Fresno County: Post Office Bldg., Fresno Glenn County: 607 5th St., Orland Humboldt County: Post Office Bldg., Eureka Imperial County: Court House, El Centro Kern County: 2610MSt.,Bakersfield Kings County: 131 E. 8th St., Hanford Lake County: Kelseyville Lassen County: Memorial Bldg., Susanville Los Angeles County: 511 E.AIisoSt., Los Angeles 12 Madera County: Post Office Bldg., Madera Marin County: Post Office Bldg., San Rafael Mariposa County: Fairgrounds, Mariposa Mendocino County: Court House, Ukiah Merced County: County Adobe Bldg., Court House Square, Merced Modoc County: 1621 MainSt.,Alturas Monterey County: Court House, Salinas Napa County: Post Office Bldg., Napa Nevada County: Memorial Bldg., Grass Valley Orange County: 1 104 W. 8th St., Santa Ana- Placer County: 1389 Lincoln Way, Auburn Plumas County: Court House, Quincy Riverside County: Post Office Bldg., Riverside Sacramento County: 315 Federal Bldg., Sacramento 2 San Benito County: Court House, Hollister San Bernardino County: 566 Lugo Ave., San Bernardino San Diego County: 4005 Rosecrans St., San Diego 10 San Joaquin County: 145 S. American St., Stockton 2 San Luis Obispo County: 997 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo San Mateo County: Half Moon Bay Santa Barbara County: Federal Bldg., Santa Barbara Santa Clara County: 201 Post Office Bldg., San Jose 13 Santa Cruz County: 555 Ocean St., Santa Cruz Shasta County: County Office Bldg., Redding Sierra County: Court House, Quincy Siskiyou County: Court House, Yreka Solano County: County Library Bldg., Fairfield Sonoma County: Court House, Santa Rosa Stanislaus County: Federal Bldg., Modesto Sutter County: Post Office Bldg., Yuba City Tehama County: Federal Bldg., Red Bluff Trinity County: Court House, Weaverville Tulare County: Post Office Bldg., Visalia Tuolumne County: 815 Washington St., Sonora Ventura County: 52 N. California St., Ventura Yolo County: Court House, Woodland Yuba County: Federal Bldg., Marysvillo CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE • COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA