Stanislaus Hits $3.15 Billion in Farm Income, Honoring Workers

Stanislaus County's Farm Income Declines Due to Bird Flu

Stanislaus County reported a significant drop in gross farm income for 2024, totaling approximately $3.15 billion—the lowest in 14 years. This decline is largely attributed to the impact of bird flu, which has affected various sectors of the agricultural industry. The Agricultural Commissioner, Linda Pinfold, presented this data to the county Board of Supervisors on September 9. Despite the downturn, officials emphasized that farming remains a crucial pillar of the local economy.

The report also highlighted the importance of the hired crews who contribute to the success of farm operations. In recognition of their role, the board established the Farmworker Advisory Committee in November. However, the committee remains unfilled due to ongoing challenges, including concerns over mass deportations and other related issues.

Key Agricultural Products and Their Performance

Milk continued to be the second-highest contributor to the county’s farm income, while poultry experienced the most significant decline. This was primarily due to the nationwide outbreak of avian influenza, which led to the destruction of infected flocks.

Pinfold’s team estimates the value of various crops by multiplying total volume by average prices. However, the report does not include production costs such as water, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor, which can affect profits or result in losses depending on the year.

Additionally, the report does not account for the broader economic impact of processing and shipping raw agricultural goods to markets worldwide. Many county residents are employed in industries like canneries, wineries, cheese plants, and nut companies, which rely heavily on farm produce.

Recognition of Farmworkers

The report began acknowledging the contributions of farmworkers in 2020 with the introduction of the Farm Worker of the Year award. Originally intended as a temporary measure during the pandemic, the initiative has continued. The latest recipient of the top $3,000 prize was Frank Hernandez, a 30-year employee at Vermeulen Almond Hulling near Modesto. His work involves maintaining machinery used to process almonds, sourced from both the company’s orchards and other growers.

Hernandez was recognized in a Fresno Bee editorial that praised counties with farmworker awards. He was also featured in the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau’s semi-monthly newspaper, one of the sponsors of the April 1 event. Paul Vermeulen, the owner, described Hernandez as "the soul behind all of us," highlighting his extensive knowledge and dedication.

Ten other nominees received smaller cash awards, and the ag commissioner’s office co-sponsored the contest, featuring it in its annual crop report. Additional partners included the Modesto Rotary Club, the Central Valley Opportunity Center, and the AgSafe training program.

Role of the Farmworker Advisory Committee

The newly formed Farmworker Advisory Committee aims to advise county supervisors on health, housing, immigration, and other worker-related concerns. It will serve as a one-year trial, with findings included in the next crop report. The committee will have two workers from each of the five supervisor districts. However, no applications have been submitted so far, prompting an extension of the deadline to September 30. More information is available in English and Spanish at www.stanag.org.

Four of the five remaining seats have already been filled, including positions for a farm owner, a labor contractor, and two nonprofits supporting workers. Another member will come from the county Agricultural Advisory Board. The county has been working closely with the Latino Community Rountable, which has expressed concerns about potential members being deterred by fears of mass deportations and public discussions of workplace issues involving farmers and labor contractors.

Top 10 Farm Products in 2024

Here is a breakdown of the top 10 farm products in Stanislaus County for 2024:

1. Almonds: $824.2 million, up slightly from $813.4 million.
2. Milk: $754.6 million, down from $761.5 million.
3. Poultry: $291.8 million, down from $399.6 million.
4. Cattle: $208.2 million, down slightly from $208.7 million.
5. Fruit and Nut Nurseries: $110.8 million, down from $146.3 million.
6. Silage: $108.5 million, down from $121.4 million.
7. Walnuts: $87.8 million, up sharply from $55.5 million.
8. Pollination: $78.6 million, down from $85.3 million.
9. Tomatoes: $60.2 million, down from $107.1 million.
10. Eggs: $47.1 million, down from $54.3 million.

The 2024 figure of $3.15 billion marks a 6% decrease from 2023 and falls short of the record $4.4 billion achieved in 2014. It is the lowest since the $3.07 billion recorded in 2011.