Agriculture as Economic Development through Rural-Urban Partnerships

American Farmland Trust Report Spells out Opportunities in Local Food Production Gives stakeholders an action plan to move forward

898,000 + acres of farmland 5,536 individual farms $810 million region-wide farm gross economic impact $650+ million in sales at farm gate $25 million in direct sales

Measuring Unmet Demand New York State Unmet DemandHudson Valley Unmet Demand Source: New Venture Advisors LLC,

Hudson Valley Farms 5,5365,6285,8194,7955,0735,707 Farm Acreage 898,014898,6571,004,132926,8271,036,0601,083,511 Avg Farm Acreage Value of Product ($1,000) $651,828*$549,879$410,630$416,274$398,931$394,546 Average Per Farm $104,514.7*$88,954.4$67,251.1$82,822$74,455.5$58,730.8

Hudson Valley Total Number of Farms 5,5365,628 Total Farm Acreage 898,014898,657 Average Farm Acreage Market Value of Ag Products Sold $651,828,000**$549,879,000 Average Per Farm $104,514.7**$88,954.4 The Hudson Valley and surrounding region lost 92 farms and 643 acres of farmland since 2007.

Agribusiness effects urban and rural communities Agriculture alone represents only 1% of U.S. GDP However, Agriculture in combination with entire Producer, Processor to Retail Food Establishment contributes 16% of U.S. GDP 17% of U.S Workforce is employed in agriculture related field $87 billion in net farm income An agricultural cluster includes the food supply chain (raw production, distribution, processing), forestry products, biofuels, alternative energy, and heavy equipment