The USDA's Census of Agricultural data released Thursday shows Delaware farmers produced a record $1.2 billion worth of crops and livestock in 2012, despite severe drought conditions that affected most of the country.
The 19% increase over the 2007 data reflects the rise in crop production value, which has more than doubled since the previous survey five years ago thanks to the state’s thriving poultry and vegetable processing industries.
The census - used by farmers to market their products and to help legislators determine policy - revealed a marginal decrease in farmland acreage (1% and 1,599 acres) and the number of farms (89 farms, down 3%).
That mirrors a national trend of fewer Americans taking part in the agriculture industry that The First State has sought to stem. Its Young Farmers Program has helped 20 farmers to purchase property, and the Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation has permanently preserved 115 thousand acres of Delaware farmland.
The census also showed a rise in the percentage of Delaware farms operated by women (18%, 445 farms).
In May, the USDA will reveal county-level statistics - which may modify preliminary figures once it's released.
2012 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE: DELAWARE HIGHLIGHTS
- Number of farms: 2,457
- Land in farms: 508,654 acres
- Average farm size: 207 acres
- Market value of agricultural products sold: $1,283,472,000
- Market value of crops: $429,323,000
- Market value of poultry and livestock: $854,149,000
- Male farm operators: 2,012
- Female farm operators: 445
- Number of farm operators whose primary occupation is farming: 1,571
- Average age of farm operator: 58.4 years
