4-17-2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Census of Agriculture data was released by the USDA and it shows a continued trend toward very small farm operations in Whatcom County.
Between 2012 and 2017, the number of farms under ten acres in the county jumped from 578 farms to 701 farms.
Meanwhile, the number of farms between 50 and 500 acres declined by nearly 21% to 307 total operations, while the number of large farms of 500 acres or more held nearly steady.
Total acres operated declined from 115,831 to 102,523.
Total sales of USDA-tracked farm commodities, which includes all crops and animals, increased by 4%, clocking in at $372,850,000.
This was much higher than net income, which came to a total of $57,082,000 after expenses.