Despite a farm labor shortage and following the yearslong drought, San Mateo County is making a slow comeback with its agricultural values increasing $3 million last year.
An estimated $135.4 million worth of crops were grown in 2016, an amount bolstered by gains in flowers, forest products, fruit and nuts, according to the recently released annual Agricultural Crop Report.
It’s a welcomed increase for a region that saw a nearly $19.7 million drop in agricultural values between 2014 and 2015. Farmers have faced a culmination of challenges that included drought-stricken fields and a lack of migrant workers to help tend crops.
“After the year before, I’m pleased that we just kind of held steady,” said Agricultural Commissioner Fred Crowder.
Crowder noted growth was supported in part by increased precipitation that boosted production of grain as well as hay, and also helped increase livestock sales.
But even with modest increases to the value of what’s grown in San Mateo County, it doesn’t always equate to more money in farmers’ pockets, he warned.
In his report, Crowder notes although values are up, “that does not necessarily reflect higher returns to growers. Also higher are the costs of labor, seed, starts, soil amendments and other farm supplies. The dollar values reported reflect the gross value of the agricultural commodities produced and do not account for costs associated with production, harvesting and distribution.”
An ongoing and perhaps one of the most difficult challenges for the industry is attracting a workforce to a region that has one of the highest costs of living in the nation.
“Labor just knocked the legs out from underneath some of our operators,” Crowder said, adding that compared to other counties better known for their industries, some “may not be aware there’s agriculture here. And then when you consider the price of living and farm laborers’ wages, it’s very difficult.”
There’s also a stark contrast between rural agricultural lands such as in the secluded town of Pescadero, as compared to bustling high-paying tech job centers on the Peninsula. Unfortunately, the region may continue to struggle to find laborers to work the fields, but Crowder noted he’s pleased last year’s statistics show a steady and diverse agricultural industry.
The industry’s biggest moneymaker remains floral and nursery crops that brought in almost $98 million, a nearly $3 million increase. That broke down to indoor floral and nursery crops — which suffered a $24 million decrease in 2015 — experiencing slight gains of about $1.3 million last year with its value hitting $76.6 million. Outdoor floral and nursery crops were valued at $21.4 million, a $1.7 million increase, according to the report.
Its next top generator was vegetables where, despite a nearly $2.8 million decrease, local crops were valued at $25 million last year. Forest products, such as timber, doubled in value with $4.6 million grown in 2016, according to the report.
Potential of pot
One potential future economic boom could be thanks to voters’ landmark legalization of recreational marijuana. County supervisors and the city of Half Moon Bay are working to potentially allow commercial cultivation in coastside greenhouses once the state begins issuing business license in 2018. During prior discussions, Crowder indicated commercial pot grows could generate nearly $100 million a year in San Mateo County.
Proponents have argued the prospect of pot could help make up for a dwindling cut flower industry that’s struggled under international competition.
“If the county does adopt a cannabis cultivation policy then yes, it will improve the profitability of our agricultural industry. What I’d like to see though, is that it not displace the industry but that it supplements it. That growers use cannabis to achieve economic sustainability as an operation, and keep producing what are traditional San Mateo County crops,” Crowder said.
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Crowder reassured marijuana isn’t going to displace other staples grown outdoors, because officials are only discussing permitting indoor cultivation.
Brussels sprouts sees losses
One signature crop that saw slight losses were Brussels sprouts, which account for nearly half of the county’s $25 million worth of vegetables grown in 2016. But the $13 million value of last year’s Brussels sprouts was a $2.3 million decrease from the year before. Even though more acreage was planted and more sprouts sprouted, Crowder noted farmers in other regions picked up on their profitability. With more Brussels sprouts on the market, it pushed prices down, he said.
Other top veggies include fava beans, peas, leeks and pumpkins, according to the report.
Although the total value of the county’s agricultural production has decreased over the last decade, organic farming has been on the rise. Registered organic producers increased from just eight in 2006 to 29 in 2016, a 350 percent uptick. Last year, organic commodities grown across 689 acres were valued at $6.8 million, a 7.4 percent increase from the year prior, according to the report.
Rise in livestock
Livestock values also rose to $2.6 million, up $300,000. Ranchers were significantly affected by the drought, but also saw their livestock fetch higher prices per head, Crowder noted. Last year’s boost was due in part to rainfall increasing yields of hay, grain and cover crops, according to the report.
But even during times of drought, the county’s agricultural community has found ways to survive.
“San Mateo County is a drought-evolved community,” Crowder said. “Water has always been in short supply on the coast so operations have adapted to that. So even in times of drought, they’re fairly nimble and they’ve been able to adjust.”
Although the county’s commercial fishing industry isn’t directly counted toward its total agricultural value, the report does highlight a harsh 2015 when Dungeness crab was deemed unsafe to eat. Potentially hazardous levels of domoic acid were found in the crustaceans, bringing the statewide industry to a near screeching halt. In 2015, just $2 million worth of crab was caught while in 2016 it rebounded to $10.7 million. The total commercial fishing industry — which also includes salmon, anchovy, cod, tuna and more — was $16.7 million in 2016 up from just $7.3 million the year before.
The report will be presented Tuesday to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and can be reviewed at agwm.smcgov.org/agricultural-crop-report.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 106
Twitter: @samantha_weigel
(1) comment
Tell them farmers to go down to the local Lowes or Home Despot parking lots and pick up their workers. Or don't they all pick produce like dems say???
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