page_title: Soledad, California
section_title: Agriculture
hierarchical_section_title: Soledad, California / Economy / Agriculture
caption_attribution_description: English: This picture of organic farmland on the outskirts of Soledad, CA was taken July 8, 2007.
context_page_description: Soledad is a city in Monterey County, California, United States. Soledad is located 25 miles southeast of Salinas, at an elevation of 190 feet. The population was 25,738 at the 2010 census.
  The town is located near the Spanish mission, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, founded on October 9, 1791, by Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, as the 13th of 21 missions in California. The town's name comes from the mission.
  Soledad is seated at the heart of one of the most economically productive and technologically advanced agricultural regions in the world; hence, the Salinas Valley name, "Salad Bowl of the World." Agricultural companies working out of this region include Dole Fresh Vegetables, Tanimura & Antle Fresh Foods, Taylor Farms, D'Arrigo Brothers Inc., Mann Packing Inc., Merrill Farms and Braga Farms.
  Soledad is located in one of the primary wine grape-growing regions of California with over twenty vineyards and wineries within a thirty-mile radius, several of which have tasting rooms and offer a wide selection of wines for sale. Some of the vineyards and wineries located nearby are Chalone, Scheid, Paraiso Vineyards, Pisoni Vineyards, Hahn Estate, San Saba, J.
context_section_description: Land for agriculture is Soledad's most abundant natural resource.
  Soledad's farmland is considered "Prime Farmland", meaning that the soils around and near the city have some of the best physical and chemical characteristics for farming. Due to this fact great efforts in conserving farmland are a very high priority for the city. Prime farmland is the backbone of the Soledad economy. Future planning will consider the effect of urban sprawl amongst the farmlands. Class I, II, and III soils are the most valuable to farming. The climate also allows for year-round crops.
  Although Soledad has great soil for salad green crops, it also has a large presence of vineyards and wineries in the valley and foothills. Some famous wineries include Chalone Vineyard, Paraiso Springs Vineyards, Hahn Estate Winery, Zabala Vineyards, Richard Boyer Wines, and Ventana Vineyards. It was once the home of the Paul Masson Winery which is now closed.
  Dole Food Company maintains a plant in Soledad. Opened in 1994, it is touted as being the "world's largest pre-cut salad plant."
  As of 2007, Soledad features a weekly certified Farmers' Market on Soledad St.
caption: Many agriculture fields surround the City, such as this organic farmland.
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