Last Strawberry Field in Irvine

IACRenter_IHB

IACRenter_IHB

New member
I recently purchased a tray of strawberries from the farm stand at Jeffrey/Walnut and they tasted so sweet and fresh. It made me sad to think about the loss to Irvine once TIC bulldozes the rest of the fields around Woodbury for more generic tract homes.



I read an article in the <a href="http://www.ocweekly.com/features/features/when-san-juan-capistrano-boots-ignacio-lujano-from-his-orange-groves-ocs-citrus-era-will-end/28821/">OC Weekly</a> that talked about the last major Orange Grove in OC being closed.



I guess this is what we call progress. For better or worse the city and county are losing their agricultural landmarks and there will be no more for future generations to enjoy.
 
With all due respect, I grew up around those "agricultural heritage" spots you mention, and I have but one response:



<em>Good riddence!</em>



The leagacy you refer to is brutal, backbreaking labor done by illegal immigrants for absolutely substandard wages, by growers who have been stripped barren by mulitnational companies (grocery chains) all in an effort to build market share by becoming "Your Low Cost Price Leader". The price the communities from Bakersfield to Chico have paid in this effort is immense. The poverty is staggering.



I spent the weekend in Lindsay, CA and all I could think about was how much it looked like the area near the railroad tracks in Orange, and how much Orange must of looked like hell before civliization and Chapman took over. BTW, Villa Park Orchards just shut down thier packing facility in Orange, and I drove by their new digs in Springville, CA.
 
[quote author="IACRenter" date=1213344281]I recently purchased a tray of strawberries from the farm stand at Jeffrey/Walnut and they tasted so sweet and fresh. It made me sad to think about the loss to Irvine once TIC bulldozes the rest of the fields around Woodbury for more generic tract homes.



I read an article in the <a href="http://www.ocweekly.com/features/features/when-san-juan-capistrano-boots-ignacio-lujano-from-his-orange-groves-ocs-citrus-era-will-end/28821/">OC Weekly</a> that talked about the last major Orange Grove in OC being closed.



I guess this is what we call progress. For better or worse the city and county are losing their agricultural landmarks and there will be no more for future generations to enjoy.</blockquote>


Drive toward Woodbury community on Jeffery from that fruit stand, look to your left for another fruit stand after a few lights.
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1213360640]With all due respect, I grew up around those "agricultural heritage" spots you mention, and I have but one response:



<em>Good riddence!</em>



The leagacy you refer to is brutal, backbreaking labor done by illegal immigrants for absolutely substandard wages, by growers who have been stripped barren by mulitnational companies (grocery chains) all in an effort to build market share by becoming "Your Low Cost Price Leader". The price the communities from Bakersfield to Chico have paid in this effort is immense. The poverty is staggering.</blockquote>


I am not saying we should revert Irvine or OC back to a primarily agricultural based economy--diversity is good. But we should recognize the value of agriculture in the context of the historical development of our community. I think both the good and bad aspects of agriculture should be recognized. I think some effort should be made for historical preservation. Do we really need another Woodbury or strip mall or apartment complex built? But to simply bulldoze it all away and not even think about its significance is sad.
 
That's what museums and textbooks are for. History.



There is an interesting piece of OC history that I have a personal link to.



<a href="http://www.goodtime.net/wes/lowes013.htm">http://www.goodtime.net/wes/lowes013.htm</a>



Or here:



<a href="http://www.ocalmanac.com/History/hi02.htm">http://www.ocalmanac.com/History/hi02.htm</a>



Or even better still:



<a href="http://tammiceecee.tripod.com/id198.html">http://tammiceecee.tripod.com/id198.html</a>



<img src="http://tammiceecee.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/plow4.jpg" alt="" />



Without this one device in 1937, there would be no strawberries in the OC to lose.



I need to go get some work done, but I?ll post more later.
 
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