Electricity on the Farm

106# English   115# Spanish

 

           California’s farmers were the nation’s pioneers in utilizing electric power.  The world’s first reported use of electricity for irrigation pumping took place in the Central Valley in the late 1800’s.  During the same time farms and ranches installed electrical generators to power equipment in blacksmith shops and barns. 

 

           Wind mills became prevalent fixtures to create electricity on farms by 1921.  It wasn’t until 1929 that electrical poles were routinely erected to supply electricity to rural areas in California.