New York state farms generated $5.7 billion in revenue in 2017, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“Agriculture is an essential part of New York’s economy,” DiNapoli said. “Farms generate billions of dollars in sales, provide jobs and enhance our quality of life. But farmers face challenges including fluctuating milk prices, threats from a changing climate and disrupted trade relations. We need to build on our previous actions to make sure that agriculture can thrive in the Empire State for generations to come.”
The state boasted more than 33,400 farms, employing more than 55,000 workers in 2017, according to the latest available data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farms are located in every region of the state, covering nearly 23 percent of New York’s total land area, with 96 percent of those family owned.
While the total number of farms and acreage declined from 2007 to 2017, their overall economic impact increased as net farm income grew by more than 20 percent. In addition, the number of certified organic farms increased by over 60 percent from 2012 to 2017.
New York ranks as a national leader for a variety of agricultural commodities. The state ranks second nationwide for the production of apples and maple syrup, third for grapes, and seventh for fruit, tree nuts, and berries—with the latter accounting for $400 million in sales.
The state has created a variety of policy initiatives to address challenges facing New York farmers, including efforts to limit state and local taxes on agricultural land, farmland protection initiatives, capital investment funds for new farmers, and financial incentives for schools that use locally sourced food.
Read the full report: https://osc.state.ny.us/reports/economic/agriculture-report-2019.pdf