Wicomico County Statistics

The Wicomico River leading to Salisbury is a main transportation route for goods distributed throughout the county.  Total land area in the county is 241,415 acres.  The bulk of its cropland is used for corn and soybean production, much of which goes toward sustaining the broiler industry.  Over 76 million broilers were sold in 1997, making the county number one in the state and 10th in the United States.  Nursery and vegetable production, both fresh market and processing, are also important.  There are 580 farms with an average size of 156 acres.  The total number of farmland acres in Wicomico County is 90,656.

Top Five Commodities by Value (1997):
1. Poultry - $154,348,000
2. Nursery - $9,936,000
3. Corn - $7,172,000
4. Soybeans - $6,149,000
5. Vegetables - $3,454,000

Total Value of Commodities:
$186,294,000

County Ranking by Value of Commodities:
1

Agricultural Land Preservation Programs:
County Districts: 73 properties covering 9,838 acres
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements: 40 properties covering 5,281 acres
2002 Easement Purchases: 1 on 150 acres, $161,459

Equine Industry:
2,260 horses valued at $9,860,000 are at 650 locations on 4,400 acres with 1,220 people involved, excluding hired labor

Farmers' Markets:
In 2002, one market reported a total of 35 market days accounting for $66,000 in sales from 7,340 customer visits.  Seniors and WIC clients redeemed $13,492 in Farmer's Market Nutrition Program coupons.

Certified Organic Producers/Handlers:
6

Weights & Measures Devices Inspected:
1,609

Nutrient Management:
Plan Compliance on 1/31/03 was 426 forms covering 62,042 acres

2002 Ag Cost Share to Farmers:
$884,463 for 261 projects

State Funds to Soil Conservation District 1994-2003:
$325,505

Nurseries Inspected:
35

Agribusiness/tourism Sampler:
Vatore's Candy
Oakleys Farm Market
Strawberry Fields Forever