World Ag Expo puts local ag in a bright light

World Ag Expo in Tulare, the largest farm equipment and technology show in the world, again put agriculture in a positive light, and it should have.

The best farming in the world takes place within 100 miles of Porterville. Several of the nation’s leading crops are produced right here, including navel oranges and milk. This area’s economy depends on agriculture, and it is said that more than 85 percent of those living in Porterville are in someway connected to ag; that does not include the rural area where it is practically 100 percent. It is said that 65 percent of the residents of Visalia are connected to ag.

This week’s massive show in Tulare brought the world to the county, and besides the beautiful weather, the focus was on farming here and how farmers here are the most productive in the world. Thanks to good soil and growing conditions, yields on average are better than most regions of the world. And, thanks to technology and the efforts of farmers, those yields continue to improve.

According to the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s office, more than 120 different ag commodities are produced right here in Tulare County. Last year ag products had a value of more than $5.6 billion. You can find cows and oranges without much effort, but there are a variety of commodities grown in Tulare County, including pistachios, almonds, walnuts, kiwis, broccoli, cantaloupes, watermelons, strawberries and some crops you have hardly ever heard about.

Nearly the entire fabric of life in Porterville is touched by agriculture. Many organizations would not succeed if not for the contributions of farmers. Many businesses would simply not exist if not for farming.

While the World Ag Expo was held in Tulare, it really put our local farmers in a positive light, and they have earned it.