Riverside, California's agricultural industry has deep roots in history, shaped by both indigenous practices and the influence of European settlers. The region’s agricultural transformation began as early as the 19th century, and the area has evolved into a vital agricultural hub in California.

History of Agriculture in Riverside County

Early Beginnings (Pre-19th Century to 1830s)~
The history of agriculture in Riverside traces back to the early 1800s, when Spanish missionaries first brought date palms to California. These palms, descendants of the ones introduced by Spanish missionaries in the 17th century, were planted around the missions. By the time Mexico secularized its missions in the 1830s, the region began to take on a new agricultural identity.

Mexican Secularization and Land Grants (1833-1840s)~
The secularization of California’s missions in 1833 marked a significant turning point. The Mexican government granted vast swaths of land to private individuals and families through the establishment of ranchos. In Riverside County, ranchos like Rancho Jurupa (1838), Rancho San Jacinto Viejo (1842), and Rancho San Jacinto y San Gorgonio (1843) emerged as key agricultural properties, laying the foundation for the region’s future agricultural development.

The Rise of Citrus (1870s-1880s)~
The transformation of Riverside into a citrus powerhouse began in the 1870s. In 1871, the first orange trees were planted, marking the region's early efforts to diversify its agricultural landscape. However, it was in 1873 that Eliza Tibbets, in the city of Riverside, planted two navel orange trees from the U.S. government’s propagation grounds in Washington, D.C. These trees, which originated from Bahia, Brazil, became the Washington Navel orange variety—a game-changer for the citrus industry.

By the late 1870s, agricultural fairs and major citrus expositions were held annually in Riverside, introducing the Washington Navel to the wider public and helping to solidify Riverside’s reputation as a center for citrus production. By 1882, over half a million citrus trees had been planted in California, with Riverside County home to nearly half of them. This early success laid the foundation for Riverside’s emergence as the heart of California’s booming citrus industry.

Institutional Developments and Research (1890s-1900s)~
Riverside’s commitment to agricultural innovation continued into the late 19th century. The Riverside County Board of Horticulture was established in 1893 to promote research and best practices in agriculture. In 1904, the U.S. Department of Agriculture established a date experimental station in the nearby Coachella Valley, supporting the region’s growing date palm industry.

In 1907, the University of California established the Citrus Experiment Station in Riverside, located initially on the slopes of Mt. Rubidoux. In 1917, the station moved to a larger site on the Box Springs Mountains, where it would continue to conduct pioneering research that advanced agricultural practices, particularly in citrus cultivation. The station’s name changed to the Citrus Research Center-Agricultural Experiment Station (CRC-AES) in 1961, solidifying its role in agricultural research.

Water and Crop Expansion (Early to Mid-20th Century)~
The early 1900s also saw significant changes in the region’s agricultural landscape. In the Coachella Valley, farmers recognized the need for supplemental irrigation, leading to the construction of the Coachella Canal, a 123-mile-long branch of the All-American Canal. Completed in 1949, it delivered vital Colorado River water to the region’s farms, fueling the expansion of crops like cotton, vegetables, and sugar beets.

In the 1920s, Riverside County was integral to the development of California’s one-variety cotton system, which improved the quality and profitability of cotton production. By 1925, the California legislature declared Riverside and other San Joaquin Valley counties as one-variety communities, stipulating the cultivation of Acala cotton. Riverside County continues to produce cotton to this day, with the Palo Verde community contributing $2.1 million annually.

Cultural and Institutional Growth (Mid-20th Century)~
The late 1940s saw the establishment of the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, which continues today. The fairgrounds are uniquely decorated with Islamic architectural elements, reflecting the region's historical connections to the Middle East through its date palm industry.

In the 1950s, conservation efforts in Riverside County focused on sustainable farming practices. The Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD) collaborated with farmers to implement measures like contour furrows, cover crops, and more efficient irrigation systems, improving water use and crop yields.

Modern Agricultural Landscape (1970s-Present)~
In 1974, the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) was established at the University of California, Riverside. CNAS now oversees the Citrus Research Center and other agricultural research, continuing to drive innovation in the agricultural sector. UC Riverside remains a leading institution in agricultural science, contributing research that helps Riverside County maintain its agricultural edge.

Today, Riverside County boasts a diverse and thriving agricultural industry. The county’s gross agricultural production exceeds $1.5 billion annually, with production values of more than $1 million dollars for over 45 commodities, including nursery stock, dates, eggs, alfalfa, avocados, lemons, bell peppers, table grapes, and turf grass. Riverside’s products are exported to over 40 countries worldwide, placing the county as the 14th largest in agricultural production in California.

From its early days as a missionary outpost to its present-day role as a global agricultural leader, Riverside County’s agricultural industry has grown and adapted to meet changing economic and environmental conditions. The region’s rich history, from the introduction of date palms and navel oranges to cutting-edge research at UC Riverside, continues to shape its future as a key player in the agriculture of both California and the world.