Wine grapes help boost Ag production

Buoyed by higher wine grape production, the value of the
county’s agricultural sector bumped up some 12 percent in 2009
despite the lame economy, according to the latest Sonoma County
Agricultural Crop Report.
The county’s 2009 farm year resulted in a gross value of
$653,236,600 as compared with $583,386,800 in 2008, according to
the report.
The value of wine grapes, production of which was up 22 percent,
was $465 million in 2009 compared with $378 million in 2008. Total
vineyard acreage for all varieties, including bearing and
non-bearing land, was 62,907.2 acres in 2009 compared with 61,971.6
acres in 2008, according to the report.
“The increase in gross value for 2009 is attributed primarily to
a near 29 percent increase in fruit and nut crop production value,
of which wine grape production value grew by almost $90 million,”
said the report, which according to Sonoma County Ag Commissioner
Cathy Neville put an extra focus this year on the county’s organic
producers.
“This year’s report focuses on our county’s organic agricultural
industry, a vibrant and lucrative community resource. We would like
to celebrate our organic producers and processors who make it
possible for county residents to enjoy a diversity of locally grown
organic products,” Neville said in the report.
She said the county’s organic farms “embrace sustainable growing
practices, social equitability and a diversity of marketing
strategies that has helped make Sonoma County a pioneer in the
organic agriculture movement.”
Though prices were down, most growers experienced above average
yields, said the report “with the apiary industry showing an
increase of 38 percent from 2008 due primarily to improved survey
methods as well as reported mitigation strategies for colony
collapse.”
Apiary products, meanwhile, including pollination services –
crucial for fruit and nut crops – honey and wax, brought in
$378,100 in 2009 topping the $274,000 in 2008.
The report said livestock and poultry numbers saw a 14.5 percent
increase, with a value of approximately $52 million.
However, it said, the value of livestock and poultry products,
such as eggs and milk, were down from $112 million in 2008, to $91
million in 2009, due primarily to a near 33 percent decline in the
price for market and manufacturing milk.
In addition, apple production was down 35 percent as were
vegetables, some 11 percent, and nursery products at 18
percent.
Sonoma County Farm Bureau Executive Director Lex McCorvey agreed
times have been tough for certain segments of the county’s ag
industry.
“The 2009 crop report reflects tumultuous times for many local
farms,” McCorvey said. “Last year five or six local family dairy
farms went out of business and more face the same fate in 2010.
Milk prices plummeted and costs have continued to rise.”
“In a sluggish economy, consumers are wary of how and where they
spend their food and wine dollars,” he said, adding, “trending
toward organic products has strengthened some farms, while
consumers have tightened their wallets and in some cases limited
their purchases and consumption of the more expensive organic
products.”
Nonetheless, McCorvey said, the growing desire for local or
specialty food is offering some relief for those families, who
despite rocky times, still have a strong desire to keep
farming.
“Emerging trends of buying farm fresh local products or niche
market products like artisan cheeses offers hope to many small
farmers. Farm pests, diseases, two years of drought and more
regulations haven’t seemed to discourage the spirit of our local
farmers.”
“Wine grapes remain the primary crop where farm families can
actually earn a living wage,” he added. “After years of growing
prunes, apples or hay, and mounting debt, many local farmers have
relied on grapes to keep them in farming well into the future.”