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
2020 Sonoma County Crop Report
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive the 2020 Sonoma County Crop Report - Informational Only
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Executive Summary:
The Agricultural Commissioner is required by 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. The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures has compiled the annual Crop Report every year since 1928. The 2020 report shows a total gross production value of $680,648,600, a 29% decrease from the 2019 value of $958,546,600.
All Crop Reports are available on the Department’s website at <http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Agriculture-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.
The 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 2020 Crop Report highlights the essential farm workers of our agricultural industry. Since the beginning of agriculture in our county, farmer workers have provided invaluable goods and services to the community. We want to honor and promote the hard work our farm workers provide to help cultivate a thriving agricultural industry and their continued work through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The reported total value for 2020 was $680,648,600, a 29% decrease from the 2019 value of $958,546,600. This is the gross value and does not account for costs such as for production, processing, and bringing the commodity to market.
The 2020 winegrape growing season was challenging. Low rainfall early in the season and excessive heat late in the summer meant harvest came early. Tonnage saw a decrease of 35.5% from 2019 to 148,085 tons while value per ton for winegrapes decreased to $2,414 per ton. As a result, total winegrape value decreased 46% compared to 2019 at $357,511,500. This reduction was a natural result of the above average tonnage of recent years including the bumper crop of 2018, one of the largest grape crushes ever.
The value of livestock and poultry products increased by 20% compared to 2019. This increase is largely due to a 24% increase in both organic and conventional milk production despite a 4.2% decrease in organic and a 9.6% decrease in conventional milk value per unit. The value of wool production decreased 3.5% from 2019 due in large part to lack of global demand for wool and an increase in sheep predation.
Nursery products value was down 12.4% from 2019. This is attributed to a decrease of 11% in ornamental plant sales and a 25% decrease in miscellaneous nursery plant sales that when combined make up the majority of nursery products. Bedding plants saw an increase of 25% as more individuals found themselves cultivating their own landscapes. Nursery product value saw a decrease from 2019 due to a decline of demand in the wholesale market stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
This data is provided through surveying more than 1,000 Sonoma County producers. Without the support and response to these surveys this report would not be possible.
Strategic Plan:
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Prior Board Actions:
The Board received the Sonoma County Crop Report annually.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
2020 Sonoma County Crop Report
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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