To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures
Staff Name and Phone Number: Andrew F. Smith, (707) 565-2371
Vote Requirement: Informational Only
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
2023 Sonoma County Crop Report
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive the 2023 Sonoma County Crop Report - Informational Only
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Executive Summary:
The Agricultural Commissioner is required by State law to annually compile and report crop and livestock statistics, as well as pest exclusion, management, and eradication activities to the Board of Supervisors and the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures staff has compiled the annual Crop Report since 1928. The 2023 report shows a total gross production value of $945,722,700, an 18.8% increase from our 2022 value of $796,024,800.
Information regarding Cannabis cultivation in Sonoma County is attached to this report as an addendum.
All Crop Reports are available on the Department’s website at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/natural-resources/agricultural-weights-and-measures/crop-reports.
Discussion:
The annual Crop Report provides an accounting of Sonoma County agricultural commodity production and gross values, not net farm income, and is used in the community as a valuable resource for economic development, tourism, financing, and history by illustrating trends in agricultural production.
Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures activities are also highlighted in the report and include a summary of accomplishments for the Agriculture, Land Stewardship, and Weights & Measures Divisions. Data on non-agricultural crops such as commercial fish landings and timber harvests are also included from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Board of Equalization, respectively.
The 2023 Crop Report highlights Climate-Smart Agriculture in Sonoma and Marin Counties and the partnerships between growers, conservation organizations, and government agencies to combat climate change and enhance food security. In 2023, growers faced climate challenges that included flooding, crop damage, and increased intensity of rainfall events. We want to recognize the commitment of our producers in building resilience and contributing to a diverse agricultural industry and heritage in the county.
Above average rainfall pulled Sonoma County out of a multi-year drought, filling reservoirs and replenishing groundwater supplies. The much-needed rain, combined with a long cool growing season impacted farms, nurseries, and the cost of feed, and those impacts are reflected throughout this report.
In 2023, winegrape growers saw a bloom met with cool, misty weather and slow maturation. The growing season was abnormally cold and triggered one of the latest starts to harvest in recent memory. Tonnage was up from recent years, increasing to 240,937.7 tons, an increase of 26.23% from 2022 to 240,937.7 tons. The average value per ton for winegrapes increased to $2,975.12 per ton. As a result, total winegrape value was $716,818,600, a 30.88% increase compared to 2022.
Apples saw a bump in value from the previous year. In 2023, we saw apple tonnage brought to market increase by 18.7% from 2022 in part due to improved chill hours and soil water recharge. Gravenstein prices per ton decreased by 5.61%, as did the price per ton for late apples due to a lack of demand for processed apples. Overall, however, the value of apples increased by 11.1% compared to 2022.
In November of 2023, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in commercial poultry farms in Sonoma County. The disease would eventually spread to eleven commercial flocks and result in the depopulation of 1.2 million birds. The Department worked in cooperation with California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure that the disease was eradicated and to keep processors working during the outbreak. This event had a large impact on our producers, their employees and producer support industries countywide. Due to differences in the reporting dates for poultry populations and values, a 91.3% reduction in population is seen in this year’s report and the value changes will show in next year’s report.
The value of livestock and poultry products decreased 7.26% compared to 2022, despite a 162% increase in wool production and 3.19% increase in miscellaneous poultry products. This decrease is largely due to a 11.6% decrease in organic and conventional milk production coupled with a 15.1% decrease in organic and a 4.5% decrease in conventional milk value.
Nursery products value dipped down 2.0% from 2022. While the value of bedding plants and ornamentals continued to rise, cut flowers values decreased 12.4%, and the values for miscellaneous products such as grapevines, fruit and nut trees, and succulents declined 20.6%. Christmas trees saw another decrease in 2023 of 6.4%.
In 2023, cannabis cultivation acreage totaled 13.65 acres with a total value of $25,735,400. These numbers are down from 19.38 acres and $54,129,375, respectively, from 2022. The total value includes outdoor, indoor, and mixed-light cultivation, as well as nursery product values.
This data is collected through surveys of more than 1,000 Sonoma County producers. Without their support and responses to these surveys, this report would not be possible.
Strategic Plan:
N/A - the Agricultural Commissioner is required by State law to annually compile and report crop and livestock statistics, and pest exclusion, management, and eradication activities to the Board of Supervisors and the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
The Board of Supervisors has received the Sonoma County Crop Report annually since 1928.
11/07/2023 - The Board of Supervisors received the 2022 Sonoma County Crop Report
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
2023 Sonoma County Crop Report
2023 Sonoma County Crop Report Addendum - Cannabis Production
2023 Sonoma County Crop Report PowerPoint Presentation
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A