We are surely full of spear-it here in San Joaquin. According to the county’s Farm Bureau Federation, the region is home to nearly six thousand acres of asparagus, producing over one ton of asparagus per acre. In the 1950s asparagus represented nearly half of the county’s vegetable production value and peaked at a whopping 55
thousand acres.
Today, acreage has declined due to worldwide competition and rising labor costs, but San Joaquin stands strong producing over 45 percent of California’s spear production, ultimately supplying 70 percent of the nation’s
fresh asparagus.
Asparagus is a member of the lily family, first originating in the eastern Mediterranean and west central Europe, making its way to California in 1852. According to Judith Arroyo, Deputy Agriculture Commissioner and Rick Schwieger, Agricultural Biologist, most of San Joaquin’s asparagus production takes place in the rich peat soils and moderate climate of the
Delta area.
Growth and cultivation of asparagus is timely and labor intensive, requiring almost two years before full production begins. Production starts in the spring, when asparagus seeds are planted in beds until developing crowns. Crown growth takes nearly 10 months, and once developed, are dug and shipped to fields for planting in late December to mid March. Once replanted, the crowns produce ferns and remain that way until the first frost; when the fern dies, leaving the buds to mature. 
As the next spring emerges, asparagus spears do the same, and harvest begins. Harvest takes nearly three months, as the spears are cut by hand using long-handed knives. John Bacchetti of Del Terra Farms uses a team of 14 people to cut their locally grown asparagus, which is then sent to JMB Produce, where it is distributed throughout San Joaquin and the west coast.
The family-owned and Tracy based Del Terra Farms began growing asparagus nearly 40 years ago. “At one point we had 800 acres of asparagus,” says Bacchetti. But the farm has experienced a decline over the years, as did the county.
Today, the farm is home to 40 acres of crop, producing around five thousand pounds per acre. “Although we are now competing, as a county, with worldwide producers and labor costs, asparagus will remain a part of San Joaquin agriculture,” says John, “The spear will always be here!”
For More Information:
San Joaquin County Agricultural
Commissioner’s Office
2101 E. Earhart Ave., Ste.100, Stockton, (209) 953-6000
Del Terra Farms
4600 S. Tracy Blvd., Tracy, (209) 835-2792