Strawberries held their spot as the No.1 crop in Ventura County last year amid a steep dip in gross value while newcomer hemp came in 10th in the annual rankings of top sellers.
The results were reported in the county's Crop & Livestock Report for 2019, which tracks the estimated gross values for crops and livestock sold. The figures reflect sales receipts before expenses and do not account for the multiplier effect in the economy, according to the report released late last month by the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
The crop with negligible intoxicant properties was grown locally for health-related cannabidiol or CBD oil products but has an assortment of industrial uses.
Sales did top $35 million, still enough to get into the top 10. The figure could tank this year in the wake of a moratorium on planting in unincorporated land within a half mile of schools and homes. The move was aimed at resolving neighbors' complaints about the crop's odor but took large amounts of land out of production
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