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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2002 |
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Welcome to Bountiful Valley Farm, Presented by Caterpillar, a “tribute to the abundance and diversity of agriculture in California.” Other theme parks have attractions with pirates or submarines. But where else can you find an attraction with full-size farm equipment? |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2002 Watch nutritious crops grow |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2002 Watch juicy Valencia oranges grow |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2002 Watch colorful flowers grow |
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Admire the many crops growing here. California is the nation’s number one farming state, and this area provides a sample of the many crops that grow in the state’s sun-drenched, fertile valleys. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2002 “Cow”lifornia |
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Bountiful Valley Farm not only has real plants, it also has fake animals—a Hereford steer and a Holstein dairy cow. A sign explains why the two life-size bovine statues are here: “Since the first herd of BEEF cattle was ‘moo-ved’ to California in 1774, production of cattle and calves has become the 4th most valuable farm product in the state. “With over one million cows producing MILK, California is the nation’s number one dairy state.” There’s another liquid that’s even more important than milk—that’s water. |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2001 About the California Aqueduct: “Food grows where water flows” |
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Not only can you learn about irrigation, you can cool off in the Irrigation Station water-play area. But you didn’t come here to see plants, animals, or water systems, did you? You came for the exciting part of Bountiful Valley Farm—the tractors! |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2001 Caterpillar display |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2002 The tractor whose treads were the basis for the name Caterpillar |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2001 Caterpillar farm equipment art wall |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2001 Antique Caterpillar tractor |
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You’ll learn about tractor history. And you can admire some exciting Caterpillar equipment of 2001. Caterpillar Inc. is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. But the company traces its roots to California. A sign summarizes how the company was born: “At the turn of the 20th century, two of America’s most innovative tractor makers—Benjamin Holt and Daniel Best—were both based in northern California. “Though California is home to some of the nation’s most fertile farmland, traditional tractor wheels of the 1900s often got bogged down in the state’s soft, sandy soil. Holt responded by developing tracks to replace tractor wheels. “The tracks spread the machine’s considerable weight over a greater area, allowing California farmers to cultivate the wet soil along steep hillsides. “In 1904, a spectator inadvertently helped name the Holt 75 when he remarked that she crawls along like a caterpillar. “By 1925, agriculture pioneers Holt and Best merged, thus forming the Caterpillar Tractor Company.” Now that you’ve learned about the history of Caterpillar, take a look at three current models. Sorry. You can’t go on a tractor ride. But you can admire the equipment in all its bright yellow glory. And, in one case, you can even climb into the cab. |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2001 CAT Challenger 55 in the Caterpillar tractor yard |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2002 Caterpillar CAT Challenger 95E Tractor |
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Walk up the stairs behind the Challenger 95E and climb into the cab. Take a look at the sophisticated controls and monitors that farmers use these days. With all the controls, it’s more like a cockpit than a cab. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2002 Caterpillar CAT 262 Skid Steer Loader |
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Here at Bountiful Valley Farm, you’ll learn that Caterpillar farm equipment isn’t just for tilling soil. Pretend you’re an orange grower. How would you haul orange crates through your grove? With a CAT 226 skid steer loader, fitted with forks to carry crates, of course. Other producers use Caterpillar equipment to haul feed and perform maintenance. Versatile, eh? |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2001 Outdoor Caterpillar Cart for model farm equipment |
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By now, you might be so excited by Caterpillar equipment that you want to take home a reminder of your visit to Bountiful Valley Farm. You’re in luck! The Caterpillar Cart offers a fine selection of model farm equipment and other Caterpillar souvenirs. Want more? There’s an actual shop for you. Visit Santa Rosa Seed and Supply for gardening supplies, flowers, and plants. And more Caterpillar stuff! |
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Bountiful Valley Farm was one of the original features of Disney’s California Adventure when the park opened in February 2001—one of nine attractions in the park’s Golden State district. |
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Scan from Guide to the Magic brochure, July 26 - August 6, 2002 © Disney Scanned from Guide to the Magic brochure, July 26 - August 6, 2002 |
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As the above scan shows, the name “Bountiful Valley Farm” referred both to a section within the park’s Golden State district and to an attraction within that section. In addition to the agricultural displays, tractors, water-play area, and gift shop mentioned in this article, the Bountiful Valley Farm section also included It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, a small entertainment stage, and two counter-service restaurants: Bountiful Valley Farmers Market and Sam Andreas Shakes (“delicious to a fault”). |
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Photo by Tony “WiseBearAZ” Moore, 2002 Candy corn growing under the supervision of Heimlich—a different kind of caterpillar |
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When “a bug’s land” opened in fall 2002 as a new district at Disney’s California Adventure, Bountiful Valley Farm became a part of that district, instead of being its own district. Bug characters from the 1998 Disney-Pixar movie A Bug’s Life moved in to the displays. Santa Rosa Seed and Supply became the P.T. Flea Market. Caterpillar continued to sponsor Bountiful Valley Farm until late 2006. When Caterpillar left, they took their tractors with them. In late 2007, Disney announced the $1.1 billion redo of California Adventure. Plans showed that the site of Bountiful Valley Farm would become the starting point for the desert road into the Cars Land Bountiful Valley Farm closed forever on September 7, 2010. Construction walls went up. Perhaps there was Caterpillar equipment behind those walls—but only for demolition and site preparation. For centuries, mankind has been toiling to turn deserts into verdant farms. But at Disney California Adventure, the farm was turned into part of a desert—and most Disney park fans are delighted. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2013 Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree |
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As part of Cars Land, there are tractors just a few steps from where the old Caterpillar tractors used to be. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree may not be as educational as the Caterpillar display—but it’s a lot more fun. |
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© 2010-2021 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Updated June 4, 2021 |
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