The abundance and diversity of Central Valley agriculture makes it one of the most important agrarian regions in the world! From tomatoes to almonds, grapes to cotton and apricots to asparagus, all are produced in the Central Valley.

Four of the top five agriculturally productive counties in the nation hail from the Central Valley. In 2009, Fresno County is ranked first and Tulare County is second. Large-scale production in the valley is a result of the high-quality soils, warm climate and abundance of natural resources.

Pest or Partner? Exhibit

Not everything that lives on a farm is cute and furry. Thousands of insects and bacteria live on farms too. Some are so small that you can’t even see them!

Can you identify who is a pest and who is a partner?

Additionally, this exhibit shows some ways that farmers control pests using natural predators, crop rotation and careful planning to reduce usage of chemical pesticides.

These environmentally sensitive approaches to pest management are referred to as Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.).

Farmer Facets Exhibit

A farmer must be an expert in many different areas in order to do his or her job correctly. Farms must be doctors, scientists, engineers, and businesspeople.

They must know how to care for their animals properly, test the soil for nutrients, fix broken equipment, check market rates and so much more!

Can you think of other skills a farmer must have?

Uprooted Exhibit

Crops start below the ground and work their way up! Plants need help from both above and below the ground in order to grow up healthy and strong. Above ground, plants require an appropriate amount of sunlight and must be properly cared for by a farmer. Below ground, plants depend on their roots to absorb water and minerals from the soil.

You know that a cotton plant looks different from a corn plant above ground, so doesn’t it make since that they look different below ground as well?

The underground root systems of different crops vary in shape and size depending on the specific needs of the plant. Visit this exhibit to find out exactly what goes on under the surface of cotton, corn and even a plum tree!

Plow, Plant and Pick Exhibit

Learn about the different types of machinery that farmers use to plow, spray and harvest their fields.

Rotate the table to select the piece of equipment that most interests you, such as a planter, disc harrow or cotton picker.

Then put your plowing, planting and picking knowledge to the test using our special monitors, learning new information along the way.

Irrigation Station Exhibit

Water is one of the most important resources on earth for people and agriculture! For this reason, farmers are always looking for ways to use water more efficiently. Irrigation delivers the right amount of water to crops.

The Irrigation Station exhibit lets you check out the three types of irrigation used locally: surface, sprinkler and micro.

Surface irrigation works by allowing water to flow through the furrows
Sprinkler irrigation works by simulating rain
Micro irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of the plant, thereby reducing wasted water.

Turn the valve and see for yourself! Don’t worry; there is glass to prevent you from getting wet!