Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Land developers devour mighty dairy industry
ONTARIO, CA — Once home to one of the nation's largest concentrationsof dairy farms, Southern California's so-called Inland Empire has a $500-million dairy industry that is evaporating rapidly as dozens of farmers sell out to real estate developers.
In the last two years, more than 160 dairies — nearly 80 percent of farms operating just a year ago — have either been sold or are in escrow, according to the Milk Producers Council, a trade association based in Chino.
In the last two years, more than 160 dairies — nearly 80 percent of farms operating just a year ago — have either been sold or are in escrow, according to the Milk Producers Council, a trade association based in Chino.
