State's Agriculture Sector Grew 2002-07
Crop sales, livestock sales and the total number of farms in Massachusetts grew by 27 percent between 2002 and 2007, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture census.
In that five-year period, the number of farms in Massachusetts increased from 6,075 to 7,691. The market value of agricultural production increased from $384 million to $490 million over the same period.
Total direct sales from Massachusetts farms hit $42 million in 2007, up from $31 million in 2002. Over the same five-year period, sales of organic products from the state more-than doubled from $7.8 million to $17.5 million.
Ian Bowles, state secretary of energy and environmental affairs, said the census data represents increased support for local, sustainable agriculture as well as the state's commitment to protecting agricultural land.
The state Department of Agricultural Resources also offers several programs that provide farmers with business and food safety training.
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