A Journey Through Time at The Ventura County Agriculture Museum

In this episode of Farm Talk, Paul welcomes Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director of The Ventura County Agriculture Museum. Elena shares the rich history of “The Mill” where the episode is filmed and provides an inside look into the museum, one of the largest agricultural museums in the country, housing thousands of artifacts. She highlights how the museum not only showcases farming equipment but also tells the story of the farmers, the land, and the diverse cultures that have shaped Ventura County’s agricultural legacy. From beehives to exhibits about life over 100 years ago, Elena explains how the museum brings history to life for visitors, especially children, and tells the story of how Oxnard got its name.

Elena also touches on the museum’s educational outreach, including school tours, partnerships with the UC Master Gardeners Program, and the Helen Pidduck Native Plant Garden. She offers insight into the museum’s future plans, rotating exhibits, and fascinating stories, including one about Rancho Sespe and a mysterious murder. Finally, Elena discusses the various events hosted by the museum and how listeners can stay connected through their mailing list to stay informed about upcoming activities.

Watch the full episode HERE:

What you’ll learn in this episode:
0:00 Welcome to Farm Talk and introduction of our guest, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director of The Ventura County Agriculture Museum
0:24 Paul described the setting of where this episode is being filmed and Elena Brokaw tells us the history of “The Mill.”
1:50 Elena gives us insight into The Ventura County Agriculture Museum, which is one of the largest, well-known Agricultural Museums in the country and has thousands of artifacts 
3:52 The fascinating history of Agriculture in Ventura County
5:52 The museum is all encompassing by showcasing the equipment, the people that own the equipment, the farmers, the land, etc. Elena elaborates on this.
7:25 Showing children what life was like over 100 years ago and beehives in the museum!
8:45 A whole exhibit about the different cultures of people and families that worked the land and how the city of Oxnard got its name
11:48 Elena tells us about The Fillmore Citrus Association Band and how the railroad changed Ventura County for the better
13:19 We learn more about school tours at The Ag Museum, partnering with UC Master Gardeners Program, and the Helen Pidduck Native Plant Garden
15:05 The future of the Ag Museum
16:24 How to learn more about tours and the Ag Museum and more about the equipment, the art pieces, archives and artifacts
19:09 Elena describes how the museum rotates exhibits and a fascinating story about Rancho Sespe, a man from Ohio and murder
22:28 The people of Ventura County never know what happened hundreds of years prior on the land they are living on
23:13 The types of events The Ag Museum hosts and signing up for the mailing list to stay in the know
24:59 A special thank you to our sponsor: Opus Escrow

Related Episodes:
Preserving Paradise with Ventura Land Trust
Harvesting Futures in Agricultural Education
The Wharf: Ventura, California

For More Information on The Agriculture Museum:
Visit the Agriculture Museum – Museum of Ventura County (venturamuseum.org)

Contact Paul Ward:
805-479-5004
paul@homeandranchteam.com

Have ideas for future episodes? We’d love to answer your questions – leave a comment! For any home buying or home selling needs in the Ventura County area of California, please reach out to Paul@HomeAndRanchTeam.com or visit www.HomeAndRanchTeam.com

A special THANK YOU to our sponsor, OPUS ESCROW! Farm Talk with Paul Ward would not be possible without the support of our sponsor Opus Escrow. Supporting our sponsor ensures Farm Talk can provide listeners with the best possible episodes.