St. Mary's County Statistics

St. Mary's County is located along the shores of the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers.  It has 400 miles of waterways and much farmland.  With its close and convenient access to Washington, Baltimore, and Richmond, the county has become one of the fastest growing areas in the state.  With the Tobacco Transition Program in its fifth year, tobacco is no longer the leading product in the County  Several alternative crops, such as nursery products and grapes, are flourishing.  Corn, wheat, and soybeans are extensively grown.  Seafood is also important to the county.  There are 658 farms with an average size of 109 acres.  The total number of farmland acres in St. Mary's County is 71,920.

Top Five Commodities by Value (2002):
1.  Grains & Beans - $3,539,000
2.  Produce - $1,884,000
3.  Tobacco - $1,676,000
4.  Nursery - $1,508,000
5.  Cattle - $1,496,000
6.  Hogs - $739,000

Total Value of Commodities:
$12,196,000

County Ranking by Value of Commodities:
16

Agricultural Land Preservation Programs:
County Districts(5 Year Tax Credit Program): 137 properties covering 16,668 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements: 67 properties covering 7,267 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Districts:  45 properties covering 4,805 acres

Equine Industry:
2,710 horses valued at $7,540,000 are at 620 locations on 8,600 acres with 1,510 people involved, excluding hired labor

Farmers' Market:
In 2004, two markets reported a total of 150 or more market days accounting for $600,000 in sales from over 40,000 customer visits.  Seniors and WIC clients redeemed $15,374 in Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons.

Certified Organic Producers/Handlers:
1

Weights & Measures Devices Inspected:
1,364

Vineyards:
8

Nutrient Management:
Plan Compliance on 8/1/05 was 312 farms covering 34,250 acres

2002 Ag Cost Share to Farmers:
$329,037 for 99 projects was unable to find any newer info

State Funds to Soil Conservation District 1994-2003:
$454,780 was unable to find any newer info

Nurseries Inspected:
20

Agribusiness/tourism Sampler:
Corn Mazes at Bowles Farm
Forest Hall Farm
Chapel Cellars Winery