Cecil County Statistics

Cecil County comprises 222,824 acres and in 2000, had 85,951 residents, up 20.5 percent from 1990.  About 37.7 percent of the county's land is farmland.  Much of the agricultural land is devoted to cash grain and dairy farms.  Crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, barley, tree fruits, vegetables and berries.  The county is well adapted for raising horses and has several large thoroughbred farms and many smaller farms producing horses for racing and pleasure.  There are 464 farms with an average size of 185 acres.  The total number of acres of farmland in Cecil County is 85,702.

Top Five Commodities by Value (1997):
1. Poultry - $20,659,000
2. Nursery - $11,574,000
3. Dairy - $6,723,000
4. Corn - $4,079,000
5. Soybeans - $2,879,000

Total Value of All Commodities:
$59,052,000

County Ranking by Value of Commodities:
11

Agricultural Land Preservation Programs:
County Districts: 135 properties covering 18,869 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements: 75 properties covering 12,255 acres
2002 Easement Purchases: 14 on 2,020 acres, $3.5 million

Equine Industry:
6,580 horses valued at $68,345,000 are at 900 locations on 15,300 acres with 1,580 people involved, excluding hired labor

Farmers' Markets:
In 2002, two markets reported a total of 40 market days accounting for $3,400 in sales from 570 customer visits.

Certified Organic Producers/Handlers:
5

Weighing/Measuring Devices Inspected:
1,526

Vineyards:
1

Nutrient Management:
Plan Compliance on 1/31/03 was 282 forms covering 48,988 acres

2002 Ag Cost Share to Farmers:
$439,534 for 141 projects

State Funds to Soil Conservation District 1994-2003:
$416,958

Nurseries Inspected:
25

Agribusiness/tourism Sampler:
Milburn Orchards
Walnut Springs Farm
Sinking Springs Herb Farm
Rumbleway Farm