[Baltimore Sun] Farming in Carroll County is big business, according to latest USDA numbers
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Farming in Carroll County is big business, according to the latest numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
From 2017 to 2022, the total market value or dollar amount of agricultural products sold in Carroll County increased by 25.39%, from $110 million to more than $138 million, the latest USDA numbers show.
“The agriculture industry has always been and continues to be a cornerstone for our county,” District 2 Commissioner Ken Kiler stated in a county news release. “It is an economic driver as well as an essential part of the county’s heritage, tourism, and scenic landscape.”
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service issued a new release this week announcing the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The data includes demographics, economics, land use and activities on farms and ranches throughout the country. And it demonstrates how agriculture is a “critical industry in Carroll County” that continues to add to the local economy.
The following are the latest farming statistics for the county from 2017 to 2022.
The number of farms in the county increased from 1,174 to 1,180.
The number of organic operations in the county increased 175%, from four to 11.
The total market value from the sale of crops, grain, fruit, berry trees and nuts grew by 18%.
The total number of acres farmed decreased from 146,000 acres to 130,000 acres, a decline of 11.3%. This shows the general trend toward less farmland, but an increase in the value of agricultural products.
“As a key Carroll County industry, agriculture remains vital to our local economy and food supply,” Denise Beaver, director of the county’s Economic Development stated, in the news release. “The Carroll County Farmers’ Markets will soon open, providing opportunities for residents to buy local products in all corners of the county.”
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