Agriculture has been one of the mainstays of Santa Barbara County for centuries. It has adapted and changed as the economy and culture of the county have evolved. We are now at a point where outside forces and local policy decisions are adversely impacting agriculture's viability and future.
We have seen the disappearance of dairy farms and cattle ranching. Now thoroughbred horse ranching is in a downward spiral due to offtrack betting and the increase in Indian and Las Vegas gaming. Bay Meadows Racetrack in Northern California is a housing development. The venerable Hollywood Park Racetrack is on its way to becoming a football stadium.
In the last century, Lompoc was the seed capital of the world with household names like Bodger and Burpee, and with fields ablaze with color. All of the seed companies have gone — some out of business, the rest overseas due to a lack of profitability.