County crop report shows record production

County crop report shows record production
Posted: 05/28/2009

Increasingly favorable commodity prices helped set an all-time high for agricultural production in Solano County for the second year in a row, according to the county's annual crop report released today.

The gross value of the more than 80 crops was $292.8 million in 2008, up almost $25 million, or 9 percent from the previous year, according to the report.

"While the gross value is a record high, it does not reflect the total contribution of agriculture. Transportation, processing, marketing and other farm-related services re-spend agricultural dollars to the benefit of the local economy and pushes that number even higher," said Solano County Agricultural Commissioner Jim Allan, in a press release announcing the report.

Nursery products remained the No. 1 crop at $43 million; however, its value plummeted 24 percent from its all-time high of $56.6 million in 2007, according to the report.

"The nursery industry was hit hard by the economy, with fewer housing starts lowering demand for ornamental plants. However, nursery products remain a significant aspect of Solano County's agricultural efforts," Allan said.