State Soil

California even has its own official dirt – San Joaquin soil. The state has seven major soil orders. These can be divided into two main topographical types: upland residual and lowland transported soil. San Joaquin soil is found in the lower half of the Central Valley, and it is typical of soils brought down from the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

These well-drained deposited soils make for very productive agricultural lands which support both farming and livestock raising. San Joaquin soil helps to produce “Green Gold” – one-quarter of the nation’s food – including 250 different crops with an annual value of $17 billion. After a group of 8th grade students proposed that soil from their native San Joaquin Valley be honored, the Legislature made it the official State Soil in 1997.

(Senate Bill 389, Chapter 331, 1997)

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