Yearly Ag Report Released

The numbers are in and, once again, the vast and varied agricultural activities of Santa Barbara County not only continued to be the county’s number one money-making industry but it also, for the fourth year running, saw its gross value surpass the $1 billion mark. According to the 2009 Agricultural Production Report released earlier this week, the gross value of ag last year equaled $1.24 billion, up $104 million from the year before. Once again strawberries, which are grown on some 7,500 acres in the county, were the number one earner with a record-setting season to the tune of $344.6 million. Broccoli was in second place by grossing $149.9 million, while wine grapes were right behind at $137.4 million. Also of note, according to the report, Santa Barbara County had 14 different products that netted more than a $1 million last year.