Dutchess County Agriculture comprises over 170,000 acres (1/3 of our 512,000 total acreage), producing $44.8 million in market value products, a large part of the county’s $438 million tourism industry, and employs approximately 2200 farm laborers; all of which makes agriculture big business in Dutchess County.
Our 1,700 farms support the existing infrastructure and create new outlets of labor, feed stores, veterinarians, restaurants, equipment sales, fencing, seed dealers, and many other support industries.
Many of our farms are diverse, small, limited acreage operations (10-180 acres), but add to the overall quality of life and economic impact to each town of Dutchess County.
Bethany Schulteis
Commercial Horticulture and Food Systems Resources Educator
bms264@cornell.edu
(845)677-8223 x 104
Last updated July 31, 2024