Overview

Dairy Valley, once a hub for dairy farming in Los Angeles County, transformed into what is now known as Cerritos. The rise of urbanization and housing developments post-World War II led to the decline of dairy farms, prompting farmers to seek a solution to protect their livelihoods.

In the 1950s, farmers organized to create a city that would prioritize dairy farming, resulting in the establishment of Dairy Valley. However, not everyone supported this initiative, leading to a divide among the community.

Key details

  • The area was known as the largest "cow county" in the nation due to its numerous dairy farms.
  • Urbanization in Southern California began to threaten the existence of dairy farms.
  • Land values increased significantly, making it difficult for dairy farmers to sustain their operations.
  • Farmers faced challenges from zoning laws that favored residential and commercial development over agriculture.
  • The Dairymen’s Committee for Incorporation was formed to create dairy-centric cities.
  • Successful formations included Dairy City (now Cypress) and Dairyland (La Palma).
  • Dairy Valley was proposed as an unincorporated area encompassing 18 square miles, including Artesia.
  • At the time, Dairy Valley had a population of 4,000 residents and 120,000 cows.
  • In 1955, the area was still under the control of Los Angeles County.
  • Opposition arose from the Dairymen’s Committee for Exclusion, who criticized the idea of a dairy city.
  • Critics argued that Dairy Valley would not be financially viable due to insufficient agricultural revenue.
  • The debate highlighted the tension between agricultural interests and urban development.

Context

The transition from a dairy-centric community to urban development reflects broader trends in Southern California, where agricultural lands have increasingly been replaced by residential and commercial spaces.

What happens next

The future of Dairy Valley and its transformation into Cerritos raises questions about the balance between urban growth and the preservation of agricultural heritage in the region.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific timeline of Dairy Valley's incorporation and the outcomes of the opposition are not confirmed.