Oxnard highlight
“Strawberry Capital of California”
Over 17 million strawberries are shipped globally each year from Oxnard, home to approximately 27 agricultural companies and the Strawberry Capital of California designation.
Oxnard's agricultural foundation began in the 1870s when immigrants from Germany, Ireland, France and other European countries settled in the area. Sugar beets became the first major commercial crop, planted by Albert Maulhardt and Johannes Borchard starting in 1897, and Henry T. Oxnard invested $2 million to build a major refinery in 1899. The industry flourished for decades until the sugar factory closed in 1958, ending an era but opening the way for what followed.
Strawberries replaced sugar beets as the primary crop, and Oxnard earned recognition as the Strawberry Capital of California. Today, approximately 27 farming companies collectively ship over 17 million strawberries globally each year, a harvest that depends on workers from Mexico, the Philippines, Portugal and beyond—families who have deep roots in Oxnard and whose labor defines the region's identity. The mild coastal climate and established agricultural infrastructure make the Oxnard area uniquely suited to strawberry cultivation.
Families in agricultural communities often carry different financial responsibilities than suburban households: seasonal income fluctuations, multiple generations working the same land or trades, and dependents who may share work responsibilities. A life insurance policy sized to cover a mortgage, education for the next generation, and the lean seasons between harvests is one way to protect what families have built together.