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Agriculture grows in spite of development
Though acreage is declining, farm and related industry sales are increasing.
By LETITIA STEIN
Published June 24, 2005
Don't bet the farm on agriculture's demise.
Sales of agriculture products have increased - despite rapid development in Hillsborough. From 1994 to 2003, farm sales climbed 57 percent to $667.9-million.
The industry has a $1.4-billion effect on the local economy, including related businesses and services, according to an analysis commissioned by Hillsborough's Agriculture Industry Development program.
This report, presented June 15, updated a 1996 survey in which similar agricultural activities were found to generate $1.1-billion. Adjusted for inflation, the industry's effect rose 2.6 percent.
But any uptick is impressive in the face of shrinking farm acres.
Pasture land and citrus groves are disappearing, but strawberry and blueberry farms are booming in lucrative seasonal niches. Also thriving are farms producing vegetables, ornamental plants, sod and commercially raised fish.
"Surprise," said Chip Hinton, chairman of the county's Agriculture Economic Development Council and executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.
"Agriculture cannot only survive, but can thrive in an urban area with an understanding of what agriculture needs."
[Last modified June 23, 2005, 01:01:07]
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