Overview
Kern County, at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, is one of the top agricultural counties in the United States. Its farms grow crops such as almonds, grapes, citrus, pistachios and carrots.
History
Large-scale irrigation, including water from state and federal projects, turned much of the dry valley floor into farmland. The area was central to the farmworker movement of the 1960s, including the 1965 Delano grape strike.
Today
Farms, packing houses, cold storage and food processing plants are major employers around Bakersfield.
Compiled October 2026. History is summarized for general interest; check primary sources for research. This landmark is local context, not an employer or job listing.