The Sacramento Valley was known as an area rich in produce, fruit, nuts, and just about anything else that could be planted, picked, or harvested. Much of Northern California was prime dairy land, and livestock played a large role in the development of the state's economy. This 1911 advertisement in Southern Pacific Railroad's Sunset Magazine indicated that good land was still available, dairying was in its infancy, and the great grain ranches were being divided into smaller, irrigated properties suitable for farming, poultry, or livestock.
