Agriculture

The Lower Eastern Shore is home to approximately 1,118 farms spanning 247,238 acres with an average farm size of 227 acres (Delmarva Index Infographic – USDA Agricultural Census, 2017).

Production of soybean, corn for grain, wheat, vegetables, barley, forage top the list in crops per acre. Poultry and eggs hold a combined total of $684.1 million in market value products sold. (Delmarva Index Infographic – USDA Agricultural Census, 2017)

Agriculture on the Lower Eastern Shore contributed over $1 billion to the state economy (30.2% of state agricultural impact), supported 3,717 jobs (15.6% of state agricultural job impact), and added over $17 million in combined state and local tax revenue (16% of state agricultural tax impact). The Impact of Resource-Based Industries on the Maryland Economy 2018