Number of Maine farms, crop value rise
Preliminary figures show the market value of crops from Maine farms rose 24% from 2007 to 2012, a period in which the number of Maine farms bucked a national decline and increased by 38 farms and more than 100,000 acres.
The Associated Press reported the number of farms across the country declined about 4%, to 2.1 million during the same period, continuing a long-term downtrend. In Maine, however, the 10-year trend from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s census showed a 13.6% increase in the number of farms.
The preliminary figures showed that the total market value of crops and livestock from Maine farms rose to $764.4 million in 2012, up from $617.2 million in 2007. Per farm, the average market value of crops and livestock was $93,514, up from $75,859 in the survey five years ago.
The latest data shows Maine leads New England for the total number of farms with 8,174 in 2012. Massachusetts trailed Maine for the highest number of farms in the region, with 7,755 in 2012. Vermont was next with 7,335.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the total market value of crops from Maine farms.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments