Economic Impact
Strawberry Farmers Grow More than Fruit - They Grow California's Economy
California strawberry farms do more than grow America’s favorite fruit—
they strengthen communities, create opportunities, and power one of California’s most vital agricultural sectors.
Here, people grow berries and build futures. For generations, farming families and farmworkers have found purpose and pride in the lives they’ve built alongside the fruit they nurtured.
AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT? IT’S JUST AS POWERFUL:
- 50,000+ jobs across 30+ industries
- $5.4 billion total economic impact (U.S.)
$2.68B direct | $2.3B indirect - $185M in tax revenue supporting California teachers, police, and firefighters
This extraordinary value is produced on a sliver of agricultural land:
90% of U.S. strawberries are grown on just 1% of California farmland.
BUT THE HEART OF THIS STORY ISN’T IN THE NUMBERS — IT’S IN THE PEOPLE.
Behind every data point are real people—multi-generational family farmers, farmworkers who are treated with dignity, paid fairly, and a ripple effect that uplifts rural communities and helps secure California’s future.
See the 2025 Economic Impact Report:
COMMUNITY IS CENTRAL TO CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FARMING
For every dollar
they earn, Strawberry
farmers invest
95 cents into
local communities,
fueling jobs, services,
and economic growth
COMPETITIVE WAGES, REAL OPPORTUNITY
Strawberry fields grow more than fruit—they grow futures.
In 2025, field workers earn a minimum of $19.97/hour—higher than many service industry jobs. During peak season, piece-rate pay means even more opportunity to earn.
