ALFALFA-GROWING FAMILY STICKS WITH CROP THROUGH LEANER TIMES.

Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer

The way Craig Van Dam sees it, he didn't choose alfalfa farming as a profession - it chose him.

Born with five siblings on an alfalfa farm established by their father on Lancaster's east side in the 1950s, the 32-year-old suspects that farming will be the Van Dam way for some time to come.

``It's not a question you ask,'' Van Dam said of choosing a profession. ``It just seems to happen. It gets in you.''

The Van Dam farm is one of the few alfalfa farms left in the Antelope Valley, where more than a half-century ago they were so prevalent that the annual fair was named for their staple crop.

Rising production costs have prompted other farmers to either farm different crops, such as onions, or get out of agriculture altogether.

In 1981, there were 20,327 acres of alfalfa farming in Los Angeles County, most of it in the Antelope Valley. Last year there were 5,566 acres farmed, according to Los Angeles agricultural commissioner's reports.

``It's the whole cost of everything - land costs, water costs and equipment costs,'' Van Dam said of the decline.

While production costs have risen, the price the product itself fetches has remained relatively stable. A ton of hay sold for $105 a ton in the early 1980s. Last year it brought $125 a ton.

``It hasn't kept up with everything else,'' Van Dam said.

This year is a good year for alfalfa farmers, Van Dam said. The crop will sell for about $140 a ton.

The Van Dam farm was established in 1957, a time when alfalfa farms covered much of the Antelope Valley. The farm grew through the 1960s and 1970s from its initial 240 acres to its present size of just under 1,000 acres.

The Van Dam farm will get about 8 to 9 tons of alfalfa per acre. Much of it will be used to feed their dairy cattle. The rest is sold in the Antelope Valley. The family started a hay outlet store about 18 months ago.

While alfalfa farms have mostly faded from the scene, the crop is still celebrated each year at the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival, which sprung from contests held each year by ranchers and farmers.

The fairgrounds itself was purchased with proceeds from hay donated by local farmers.

The Van Dams brought in hay for judging at the fair. They also donated straw for exhibits and for fair parade floats.

``It's a community thing,'' Van Dam said. ``They call me up and we send it out.''

Agriculture has been a stable lifestyle for the Van Dam family. Unlike other industries, such as aerospace, that ebb and flow, agriculture is steady work.

``It's been a good living for us. If you can still make money at it you might as well stay with it,'' Van Dam said.

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Photo: (color) Nick, left, and Craig Van Dam's family has farmed alfalfa in the Antelope Valley since the 1950s.

Jim Skeen/Daily News