Melanie
Barkley
Bedford County
meh7@psu.edu
814-623-4800
John
Berry
Lehigh County
jwb15@psu.edu
610-391-9840
Don
Fretts
Fayette County
dcf3@psu.edu
724-438-0111
Stan McKee
Huntingdon County
sam36@psu.edu
814-643-1660
Greg
Strait
Fulton County
gls10@psu.edu
717-485-4111
John
T. Tyson
Mifflin County
jtyson@psu.edu
717-248-9618
Lee
Young
Washington County
ljs32@psu.edu
724-228-6881
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Scope of Agriculture in Pennsylvania
by
Stan McKee
Huntingdon County Extension Educator
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Pennsylvania
farms produce a wide variety of products. Farming
is the number one industry in the state.
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A moderate climate and fertile soils combine
to make Pennsylvania a very suitable location
for farming. With over 58,000 farms that generate
in excess of 4 billion dollars in cash receipts,
agriculture is certainly a viable enterprise in
the state. The majority of farms in Pennsylvania
(34,400) are "small", with sales ranging
between $1000 and $9999 in 2003. Farms do not
need to be large in acreage, or gross sales, to
be profitable.
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Many times, when we visualize a farm, we are thinking
of a "traditional" farm with a red barn, silo,
and dairy cows in a meadow. Dairy production is still
the most common agricultural enterprise in Pennsylvania,
accounting for almost 34% of the total cash receipts
to farmers. Receipts from cattle and calves are second,
accounting for an additional 10.4%. Certainly, many
of the cattle and calves that are sold originate on
dairy farms, but beef production is also a viable enterprise,
and is well adapted to smaller acreage farms.
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Greenhouse and nursery crop production ranks third
in Pennsylvania with gross receipts of over 395 million
dollars (9.3%). Floriculture, landscape plants, Christmas
trees, and greenhouse vegetables are all included in
this category.
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| Egg production, Broilers, and Turkeys combined contribute
another 16.9 % of the gross receipts. Other livestock species
that are produced in the state include Hogs, Horses, Sheep,
Goats, Deer, Elk, Bison, and various "exotic" species.
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Pennsylvania ranks first in the nation in Mushroom production,
and gross receipts from mushrooms contribute 8.5% of total
agricultural production within the state. Hay production accounts
for 3.6% of total sales, and is followed by various commodity
grain crops (Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Oats, and Barley) that
when combined total 5.8% of agricultural sales.
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Certain regions of the state are well adapted to fruit and
berry production, and Pennsylvania ranks 5th nationally in
the production of Apples, Peaches, and Strawberries; and ranks
6th nationally in grape production.
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This
publication is available in alternative media on request.
The
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all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities,
admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics
not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as
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It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic
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The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination
and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry,
color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious
creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination
or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not
be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct
all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the
Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University,
201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801,
Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.
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