San Joaquin Valley Gap Analysis

The main argument is about how income inequality affects everyone and how production is also a disadvantage. Although the San Joaquin Valley produces millions of dollars of produce a year, many people in the valley are living in poverty. In fact Merced is the top fourth county in California with, unemployment, poverty, child poverty, and food insecurity. Part of the reason is that the youth do not have many programs or resources to keep them in school and occupied. Many of them will not graduate high school, and end up incarcertated, and get pregnant in their teen year. These challenges make it hard for them to move up the economic ladder, and they most likely will remain in poverty. Also,throughout California, according to the income distribution

Although the San Joaquin Valley produces millions of dollars of produce a year, many people in the valley are living in poverty. In fact Merced is the top fourth county in California with, unemployment, poverty, child poverty, and food insecurity. Part of the reason is that the youth do not have many programs or resources to keep them in school and occupied. Many of them will not graduate high school, and end up incarcertated, and get pregnant in their teen year. These challenges make it hard for them to move up the economic ladder, and they most likely will remain in poverty. Also,throughout California, according to the income distribution chart from 1969-2009, is that income is is not distrubtuted equally. For example, from the beginning until the end of the chart, the bay area has the highest income, while the San Joaquin Valley has the lowest income. Even though the San Joaquin Valley is fast growing, and always producing, there is also the disadvantage of pollution which not only hurts the environment, but can also hurt people. An example is Asthma, a common disease many Americans have that not only has no cure, but can also be fatal. Statistics show that nine Americans die every year from an Asthma attack. A new minor offered at UCM is Community Research and Service, to research, find new ideas that will benefit, and improve the