Florida
Some of the main agricultural industries in Manatee County continue to be vegetable crop production, citrus production, livestock and forage production, ornamental horticulture, the commercial fishing industry, and forest products.
In Manatee County, vegetable production is the number one agricultural enterprise. There are approximately 28,000 acres grown each year at an annual farm-gate value of over $280 million and an economic impact of over $373 million.
The market of small agribusinesses in Manatee county for The AVN Consulting represents approximately 85,000 businesses in 2010. It has been divided into five groups:
Small Farms
Small farms represent over 90% of all farms in Florida, based on the USDA definition of a small farm as one with up to $250,000 in sales. These farms make about 15% of all farm product sales in Florida. Input from counties throughout Florida indicated the need for small farm educational programs to be developed. Small farmers and allied organizations have identified critical issues facing small farms.
Ornamental Plants & Nursery Production
Ornamental horticulture is the fastest growing component of the agriculture industry in Manatee County, ranking 9th in the state in ornamental sales at a value of over $74 million. The nursery industry is composed of about 175 nurseries of various sizes. Nurseries in Manatee County grow woody ornamentals, foliage, floral crops and sod with a value of $60 million dollars per year.
Livestock and Forage Producers
Manatee County utilizes over 200,000 acres in the livestock production business. Livestock enterprises consist of beef (cow-calf production), dairy, horses and other animals. There are over 470 beef producers and 4 dairies which average over 500 head per dairy. The equine industry ranges from modern-day breeding stables, riding and boarding stables/schools, and show horses, to the working cow horse.
Commercial Fishermen
Manatee County commercial fishermen annually harvest over 3 million pounds of fish valued at over $5 million. The net-ban amendment that went into effect in 1995 eliminated the inshore fisheries that primarily targeted mullet, reducing landings by 70%.
Forest Producers
Forest land in Manatee County is decreasing at an ever increasing rate. At the turn of the century (1900), with a large portion of Manatee County owned by various timber companies, the turpentine industries boomed. In the late 1920’s, several state-of-the-art sawmills were in operation. Today, there are only two very small sawmills in Manatee County.