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California Agriculture — Reading Comprehension

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D2.HIS.2.3-5
D2.HIS.3.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

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This engaging reading passage explores the rise of California agriculture during the Progressive Era, focusing on how farming changed the state and the nation. Students will learn about the challenges faced by early farmers, the development of irrigation systems, and the impact of new technology and migrant workers. The passage is written clearly for young readers and supports key history and literacy skills, aligning with C3 Framework and Common Core Standards. Activities include a timeline, quiz, writing prompts, and a graphic organizer. Also included are read aloud audio and a full Spanish translation to support diverse learners. Key vocabulary is highlighted for comprehension. This is an ideal resource for teaching about the growth of agriculture and its role in U.S. history.

CONTENT PREVIEW

"Group of people picking dewberries (blackberries), Riverside(?), California, ca.1900-1920 (CHS-1568)" by Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

During the Progressive Era, California became the top farming state in the United States. The state’s rise in agriculture happened because of irrigation, the Central Valley’s rich soil, and the hard work of people from many backgrounds.

California’s climate has little rain, so growing crops was very difficult at first. Farmers needed to find a way to bring water to their fields. In the late 1800s, they started building canals and ditches to move water from rivers and mountains. This system is called irrigation. Irrigation allowed farmers to grow crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts in areas that would normally be too dry.

The Central Valley became the heart of California agriculture. Its soil was deep and fertile, perfect for farming. With irrigation, fields could bloom with many kinds of crops. Oranges, grapes, tomatoes, and almonds all grew in the valley. The Central Valley’s farms became so successful that they began to feed people all across the United States.

As farms grew larger, they needed more workers. People came from many places to work in California’s fields. Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Filipino, and European immigrants joined local workers to plant and harvest crops. Their hard work made California’s farms even more productive. This diverse group of people shaped the history and culture of the state.

Another important change was the arrival of the railroad. Trains made it possible to move crops quickly from California to big cities in the east. Farmers could now sell their fruits and vegetables across the country. This meant more people could enjoy California’s fresh produce, and farming families earned more money.

California’s agricultural expansion brought many benefits. The state became a leader in farming and created jobs for thousands of people. New inventions, like mechanical harvesters and better irrigation pumps, helped farms grow even more. Farmers worked together to solve problems and improve their communities.

In the end, the growth of California agriculture shows how people can solve problems with teamwork, new ideas, and hard work. The story of California’s farms is a story of change, hope, and success.

Interesting Fact: California now produces over one-third of all vegetables and two-thirds of all fruits and nuts grown in the United States!

What helped California farms get water?

Irrigation canalsHeavy rainfallWindmillsOceans

Which valley became the farming center?

Central ValleyDeath ValleyNapa ValleySilicon Valley

Who worked on California farms?

Immigrants and localsOnly local peopleOnly machinesOnly children

How did railroads help farmers?

Moved crops to citiesBrought more rainBuilt new canalsPlanted trees

Why was irrigation needed?

There was not much rainThere was too much snowTo build more trainsBecause of earthquakes

What was a result of new machines?