Frederick County Statistics

With   424,283 acres, Frederick County is the second largest county in the state.  A total of 51 percent of the county's land is devoted to agriculture despite rapid suburban growth.  Frederick has a diverse crop and livestock agriculture.  It ranks first in the state in milk production.  In 2001, there were 26,000 head of milk cows in the county producing 388 million pounds of milk.  Fruit and vegetables from the county are well-known for excellent quality.  There are 1,304 farms with an average size of 166 acres.  The total number of farmland acres is 215,927.

Top Five Commodities by Value (1997):
1. Dairy - $52,561,000
2. Cattle - $12,021,000
3. Poultry - $11,106,000
4. Soybeans - $4,194,000
5. Nursery - $3,938,000

Total Value of Commodities:
$101,660,000

County Ranking by Value of Commodities:
3

Agricultural Land Preservation Programs:
County Districts: 186 properties covering 26,852 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements: 96 properties covering 15,465 acres
2002 Easement Purchases: 8 on 1,064, $1.9 million

Equine Industry:
8,290 horse valued at $47,310,000 are at 2,180 locations on 22,000 acres with 3,570 people involved, excluding hired labor

Farmers' Markets:
In 2002, four markets reported a total of 74 market days accounting for $199,3000 in sales from 20,050 customer visits.  Seniors and WIC clients redeemed $29,629 in Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons.

Certified Organic Producers/Handlers:
9

Weights & Measures Inspected:
2,551

Vineyards:
12

Nutrient Management:
Plan Compliance on 1/31/03 was 716 forms covering 122,310 acres

2002 Ag Cost Share to Farmers:
$1,251,629 for 349 projects

State Funds to Soil Conservation District 1994-2003:
$508,175

Nurseries Inspected:
22

Agribusiness/tourism Sampler:
Catoctin Mountain Orchard
Hillside Turkey Farm
McCutcheon's
South Mountain Creamery
Crumland Farm Corn Maze