Page 19 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 2: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Top Commodities - Market Value and Ranking
In 2012, Washington County farms produced Much of Washington County is considered high-value

$237,972,000 in market value of farm products sold farmland . This high-quality farmland gives farmers
19
“at the farm gate.” These estimates do not include numerous options for growing crops that earn more
18
value-added agricultural products such as wines dollars per acre. High-value crops include but are
and processed foods. Compared to other counties in not limited to: nursery stock, berries, and seeds in
the state, Washington County ranked eighth in the contrast to low-value pasture for livestock.
market value of products and compares to other
counties as follows: As seen in Table 2.4, the category of greenhouse,
nursery, floriculture and sod had the highest value
• Marion County is first with sales of
$639,326,000; of sales, followed by fruits and berries (including
wine grapes), grass seed, other crops, and hay.
• Umatilla County is second with sales of Greenhouse and Nursery Stock has been the most
$487,281,000; valuable crop in Washington County for several

• Clackamas County is fifth with sales of years. The County consistently ranks third in the
$343,514,000. state in this category, and provides approximately
17 percent of the state’s greenhouse and nursery
stock crop revenue of $745 million .
20
18 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012 Census of Agriculture.
19 High-value farmland is determined based on United States Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Geological Survey classification. A definition may be found
at www.oregonlaws.org/ors/215.710.
20 Oregon Association of Nurseries. September, 2015. Curt Kipp.

Table 2.4: Market Value of Top Agricultural Products Sold in Washington County 2012.

Category Value of Sales State Rank US Rank
Greenhouse, nursery, floriculture, and sod $127,815,000 3 16
Fruits including wine grapes, tree fruits, nuts, and berries $54,862,000 4 64
Grass seed, other crops, and hay $19,074,000 15 168
Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, and peas $14,356,000 10 1363
Vegetables, melons, potatoes $7,446,000 14 271
Milk from cows $7,234,000 13 597
Cattle and calves $2,322,000 30 2240
Cut Christmas trees and short rotation woody crops $1,905,000 8 24
Other animals and other animal products $1,529,000 5 168
Hogs and pigs $581,000 1 941
Horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys $380,000 14 733
Sheep, goats, wool, mohair, and milk $178,000 24 886
Poultry and eggs $171,000 13 1257
Aquaculture $118,000 23 619
Source: NASS, Census of Agriculture.

WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY 15