Milford chronicle., 1963-02-22
Kent County
Agricultural Outlook

markably stable agriculture
which for a number of years has
averaged around 20 million dol
lars annually. In 1861, total cash
farm income for Kent County was
S21.5 million. The final figures
are not In for 1862 but 1t is
estimated that farm income for
Kent County will be approxi-
mately the same as in 1861.
Vegetable, broiler, and potato
sales held their own or increas-
ed during 1862 with soybeans and
milk dropping off slightly.
The unusual amount of stability
of farm income of Kent County is
due largely to a good balance be-
tween livestock and crops and to
the fact that a major part of the
County has excellent farm land
that is productive, easily titled,
and suitable to a wide range of
crops. The leading agricultural
commodities produced In the
county are: soybeans, fluid milk,
and vegetables, each with sales
exceeding three million dollars.
Corn, broilers and potatoes are
also very important with each
having gross cash sales of over
two million dollars. These six
major commodities account for
85 per cent of the farm income.
Thus the agricultural economy
of the county has broad diver
stfied base so that fluctuations
between commodities on an an
nual basis does not seriously
change the income flow from
agriculture a poor year In
one commodity is usually offset
with an above average year in
another.
Looking ahead into 1868, there
Is nothing which would materially
alter the agricultural picture for
the county. A cash farm income
of between 22to "a million dollars
Is expected In 1868. This would
be a small gain over 1862. The
income viii be divided between
a few less farmers than last
year as the trend toward fewer
but larger and more efficient
farm business units will con-
tinue into next year and into the
foreseeable future. This trend
Of fewer but larger farms should
not be looked upon as cause for
alarm, either by farm or nom
farm people.
1t is typical of economic growth
constantly in the non-farm
sector.
Kent County has approximately
$50 full time commercial farms
which means that each farmer
on the average can expect a gross
cash farm income of around ST.
600. Between rs and 80 percent
of this he will spend for produc-
tion items, most of which will be !
purchased through local Kent
County business. AS a rule, the
average farmer retains about
one fourth of his gross earnings
as payment for his labor and
management which he uses for
family living and debt retirement.
Large profit opportunities in
farming are somewhat limited
yet farmers with good farms
that are well equipped and well
managed, can earn very salts
factory and dependable income.
In this respect, farming as a
business does not differ much
from other businesses.
Agriculture in Kent County will
continue to be of major impor-
tance in the total economy of the
county. Agriculture and indus
trial development will serve to
complement each other. Indus
trial development will provide
some farmers that have limited
resources and ability and are
finding 1t difficult to make an
adequate living on their farms,
the opportunity to take off-farm
jobs, either full or part-time. Al
so, 1t provides employment op-
portunity for rural young people
who otherwise would need to pull
up stakes and leave the area. Bet
ter incomes by our rural people
means more dollars spent on
Main Street of our local towns
and cities.
Increased industrial activity
means bigger local markets for
locally produced farm products.
Growing communities mean more
houses, roads, utilities, schools
and other services, thus Great
ing more employment. Some
farmers may find that catering
to the recreational needs of the
growing urban population is a
profitable way to use their land
labor and business ability.
The economic growth envision-
ed for Kent County next year
and in future years will be good
for farmers and non-farmers.
It is hoped that the growth can
be directed in an orderly manner
so that all segments of the econ
omy Of the County will share in
its benefits.