Caroline County Statistics

 Of Caroline's total land area of 204,898 acres, 54 percent is used for agricultural purposes.  Industries are largely agricultural and employ many of the county's 29,772 inhabitants.  Ranking first in the state in 2001 for vegetable acreage; Caroline has earned the name "The Green Garden County of Maryland."  The county ranked first in the state in the production of barley, third in wheat and soybeans, and fifth for corn.  There are 525 farms with an average size of 212 acres.  The total number of acres of farmland in 111,316.

Top Five Commodities by Value (1997):
1. Poultry - $61,094,000
2. Soybeans - $9,234,000
3. Vegetables - $5,707,000
4. Corn - $5,367,000
5. Wheat - $3,754,000

Total Value of All Commodities:
$95,120,000

County Ranking by Value of Commodities:
5

Agricultural Land Preservation Programs:
County Districts: 314 properties covering 41,790 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements: 182 properties covering 25, 250 acres
2002 Easement Purchases: 13 on 1,768 acres, $1.3 million

Equine Industry:
1,310 horses valued at $7,290,000 are at 260 locations on 3,300 acres with 530 people involved, excluding hired labor

Farmers' Markets:
In 2002, one market reported being open 15 days accounting for $9,125 in sales from 1,825 customer visits.  Seniors and WIC clients redeemed $6,472 in Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons.

Certified Organic Producers/Handlers:
1

Weighing/Measuring Devices Inspected:
477

Vineyards:
1

Nutrient Management:
Plan Compliance on 1/31/03 was 381 forms covering 92,966 acres

2002 Ag Cost Share to Farmers:
$544,726 for 211 projects

State Funds to Soil Conservation District 1994-2003:
$303,423

Nurseries Inspected:
28

Agribusiness/tourism Sampler:
Pick Your Own Strawberries
Frase Farm
Wing's Landing Farm