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Rachel Surls - County Director at UC Cooperative Extension

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County Director at UC Cooperative Extension, Rachel Surls is fascinated by the complexities and contradictions of Los Angeles' agricultural and planning history. According to Surls, the fact that Richland Farms has been able to retain its agricultural roots amidst Compton's vast industrial development shows a deep degree of attachment to the land and the need to provide green open spaces in working-class areas such as Compton. Surls hopes that her studies and proposals can help reintegrate the practice of urban agriculture in communities such as Richland Farms and provide working "pilot" models for other communities across the county and through the state.

Rachel Surls - About Richland Farms

An Overview of Agriculture in SoCal
"Until the 1950's L.A. County was the top agricultural county in the US... This was it. We grew everything here."

Rachel Surls - About Richland Farms

About Richland Farms
Though the largest urban county, conditions in Los Angeles are ideal for growing crops.

Rachel Surls - Agri-Business in Los Angeles

Agri-Business in L.A.
Farming in Los Angeles thrived because of the kind of "built-in marketplace".

Rachel Surls - County Director, UC Cooperative Extension - Farming During the Depression and Beyond

Farming During the Depression & Beyond
"Food is important because we eat"

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