Washington County Statistics

Washington County ranks ninth in size among the 23 counties, with 293,223 acres in land area, and is the heart of the fruit industry in Maryland.  Apple and peach growers harvest over 190,000 trees annually.  Dairying is the principle livestock enterprise.  Milk cows number 16,000 head, ranking second in the state.  Cereal grains are also important to the county.  There are 768 farms with an average size of 164 acres.  The total number of farmland acres in Washington County is 126,292. 

Top Five Commodities by Value (1997):
1. Dairy - $35,937,000
2. Cattle - $5,283,000
3. Poultry - $4,621,000
4. Fruit - $4,113,000
5. Soybean - $2,747,000

Total Value of Commodities:
$60,604,000

County Ranking by Value of Commodities:
10

Agricultural Land Preservation Programs:
County Districts: 210 properties covering 28,688 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements: 46 properties covering 8,135 acres
2002 Easements Purchases: 5 on 803 acres, $1.7 million

Equine Industry:
4,460 horses valued at $12,295,000 are at 1,560 locations on 10,200 acres with 4,090 people involved, excluding hired labor

Farmers' Markets:
In 2002, one market reported a total of 33 market days accounting for $87,200 in sales from 10,900 customer visits.  Seniors and WIC clients redeemed $13,907 in Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons.

Certified Organic Producers/Handlers:
3

Weights & Measures Devices Inspected:
1,816

Nutrient Management:
Plan Compliance on 1/31/03 was 465 forms covering 83,572 acres

2002 Ag Cost Share to Farmers:
$530,071 for 98 projects

State Funds to Soil Conservation District 1994-2003:
$604,233

Nurseries Inspected:
40

Agribusiness/tourism Sampler:
Cool's Fishing Pond
Lewis Orchards
Bee Tree Farms Honey