Agriculture & Natural Resources
JACKSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PROFILE
Every 5 years since the early 1900’s, the United States government has been doing a census of agriculture on every county in this great United States of America. Our government feels this is needed to study trends that will affect our ability to feed and clothes ourselves and our ability to create wealth for export. Agriculture in Jackson County is not nearly as big as it once was in the 1930’s – 1950’s, but it still plays a significant role in our local economy and way of life. I personally feel Jackson County’s agricultural and rural heritage is still what makes it such a unique and precious place to live and to raise a family.
The number of farms in the county has increased by 13% since 2002. We had 842 farms in 2002 and we now have 950 farms. We rank second only to Preston County with 1048 farms. The USDA definition of farms is any piece of ground that produces or sells over $1000 worth of agricultural products. With a 13% jump in the number of farms, the average size of the farm naturally decreased by 11 percent. The average size of a farm in 2002 was 153 acres, with an average size of 136 acres in 2007. The average size of farms throughout West Virginia is 157 acres. What was really interesting was the fact that even though the size of the farm decreased by 11%, the market value of production increased 29%, from$4,695,000 in 2002 to $6,070,000 in 2007. We rank 19th in the state in total value of agricultural products sold. The average market value of production per farm increased by 15 % from $5,576 in 2002 to $6,389 in 2007. The average market value of production per farm in the state is $25,051.
Since we lost most of the tobacco production in the county, the crop sales only make up 21% of the value sold versus livestock receipts, which makes up 79% of the total sales. Livestock sales contribute $4,805,000 to our local economy with beef cattle generating nearly 74% of that total. Beef production generated 58% of all agricultural sales.
Jackson County ranks number 1 in the state in the number of goats, 4th in horses and ponies, 12th in sheep and 13th in cattle. We rank 4th in the state in hay acres at 23,277 acres. We also rank 10th in the state with 66 acres of vegetables. Probably the biggest changes during the past 75 years has been corn production and the livestock industry that thrived from local corn.
In the early 1950’s Jackson County had over 130 dairies and probably over 5000 acres of corn. Today we have only 3 dairies left with only 350 acres of corn. Hogs and chickens have also almost disappeared from our agricultural landscapes due to integration and contract production. Another disturbing note is the average age of the Jackson County farmer is 57 ½ years old. I’m pretty sure this is close to the national average, also. Hopefully, the American public and our elected officials realize we need to attract younger people into agriculture. There has to be economic incentives and positive returns to enable young people to invest their enthusiasm and passion towards agriculture.
We already have to depend on foreign countries way too much for energy. Hopefully we Americans will never see the day when we have to depend on foreign countries to feed us.
So, as we drive around this beautiful county this summer, let us not forget the 950 families that our working the land, improving the land and generating over 6 million dollars to the local economy. Watch out for those slow moving tractors and hay wagons. Have an eye out for those 4-H and FFA members walking their livestock projects. Enjoy the diverse scenery that agriculture provides us. Good ole Jackson County, what a place to live. Amen.
