State releases data on local farming economy

The value of the farming economy in Massachusetts rose between 2002 and 2007, said Ian Bowles, the Bay State's Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Citing census information from the US Department of Agriculture, Bowles's office also noted that the number of farms in the state grew and that women made up a larger percentage of Massachusetts farmers in 2007 than they did in 2002.

Between 2002 and 2007, the market value of agricultural production rose from $384 million to $490 million, and revenue generated from tourists visiting Massachusetts farms, a business known as agri-tourism, grew from $665,000 in 2002 to $5.3 million in 2007, Bowles's office said in a press release.

Meanwhile, the number of Massachusetts farms increased from 6,075 in 2002 to 7,691 farms in 2007, the release said.

Women farmers accounted for 21 percent of all Massachusetts farmers in 2002, and they accounted for 29 percent in 2007; the number of women farmers in Massachusetts is double the national average of 14 percent in 2007, the release also said.

“We’re thrilled to see the USDA’s report reflect an uptick both in the number of Massachusetts farms and in sales here – a trend that reflects increased support for local sustainable agriculture,” Bowles said in a statement. “Governor (Deval L.) Patrick considers farms and farming treasured parts of the commonwealth’s economy.”
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)