Whenever I travel in the United States or overseas, I like to tell people that I come from the No. 1 ag county in the world. That's impressive. Today, the Fresno Bee reports that Fresno County has retained the title for yet another year.
The total gross production value of Fresno County crops and livestock was the highest ever in 2006 at $4.85 billion, up 4.41 percent from 2005, the Bee story quoted Fresno County agricultural commissioner Jerry Prieto Jr. Seven commodities generated more than a quarter-billion dollars in revenue here: grapes, almonds, tomatoes, poultry, cattle and calves, milk and cotton.
Fresno County UC Cooperative Extension has supported the Fresno County agriculture industry for 89 years with research and education programs. Currently, nine farm advisors work with the area's superb farmers. In addition, the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center, which houses 24 researchers affiliated with UC Davis, Berkeley or Riverside, is located in Fresno County. There is no doubt that UC's presence contributes to the county's continued agricultural success.
