Workforce Initiatives

Agri-Business

WIB Sector Strategies

The Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and the Central California Workforce Consortium (CCWC) defines Agri-Business as those businesses who are involved with growing crops, cattle ranchers and dairy farmers. The industry umbrella also spreads to supportive services to the industry that includes well drilling companies, pump manufacturers, chemical applicators, dairy construction firms, feed mill operators, and sales and service of farm implements. Research indicates that many of the large manufacturers that are located in Tulare County are here to support the agriculture industry as well.

Agri-Business is a high growth industry in Tulare County because of its sheer size and impact in the San Joaquin Valley; Tulare County is the second largest agricultural producer in the nation second only to our neighbor to the north, Fresno County. The County leads the nation in milk production producing over $1 billion dollars annually. If the County was a state, it would rank 22nd in overall agricultural production. Total gross ag production for 2007 was $4,874,960,000. The County boasts over 46 crops with a total of $1 million dollars each in gross production value.

County Employment: One in Five Jobs

Agriculture is the largest private employer in the County with farm jobs accounting for one quarter of all jobs available. Processing, manufacturing and service to farms provide another large segment of jobs. Six of the top fifteen employers in the county are food handling or processing companies, which includes fruit packing houses and dairy processing plants. One in every five jobs in the San Joaquin Valley is directly related to agriculture.

Not only does the county produce milk, but also produces a wide variety of citrus, stone fruits (nectarines, peaches, plums), nut crops, berries, livestock, hay and silage crops. Tulare County produces over 240 agricultural products and ships to 80 countries world wide. Leading export countries include Mexico, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, Canada, Guatemala, Philippines, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

Agriculture has a wide spread sphere of influence in the County and continues to be the leading money producer for business. While job growth statistics indicate a slight down turn in job growth for the industry over the next ten years, agriculture and the value added jobs created by its presence continue to make it the top economic generator in the county.

WIB Agri-Business Committee: Goals

• Fill immediate open positions in supplier companies that will allow the farmer/grower to remain operational including machinists, well drilling personnel and chemical applicators.
• Fill the break in the pipeline of potential employees attracted to the sector
• Educate community about opportunities associated with agriculture (i.e. beyond farming/growing)
• Define career paths and educate school counselors about opportunities associated with agriculture
• Sponsor a study that examines the total impact Agri-Business on the county.

WIB Agri-Business Committee: Accomplishments to Date

• Initial analysis of sector and associated businesses that support Agri-Business

WIB Agri-Committee Committee: Members

Resources

Agri-Business Fact Sheet
Agri-Business Sector Report

Industry News

Local Dairies featured in California Milk Campaign
California Dairy Farms See Hope in Higher Prices
Dairy Reform Proposals Aired at House Farm Bill Hearing

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