Cottonwood is located in the fertile upper sacramento River Valley. The development of water for irrigation from Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District has uncreased production of Cattle and agricultural products. Large orchards of walnuts, persimmons and peaches are found in the area. bee raising and the exports of honey and queen bees has increased the econimic base.

The Shasta Livestock Auction Yard is the largest stockyard west of the Rockies. Cattlemen throughout the state bring their cattle for sale to slaughter houses and feed lots. Sifted and graded bull sales and purebred stock sales take place throughout the year. The people in Cottonwood area are aware of how important agriculture is to their lifestyle.

Shasta Livestock Company has been in business since 1965.