1. Genesee County Farmland & Soils George Squires Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District Manager

2. Where is the farmland in Genesee County located? Show me a map! According the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in 2010 Genesee County had 550 farms and 179,000 acres of land in farms. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture the market value of all agricultural products sold in Genesee County was $177,810,000. According to George there are 145,000 acres of cropland in Genesee County.

3. GENESEE COUNTY CROPLAND – 145,000 ACRES

4. What is the best soil to farm in Genesee County? I would pick Ontario loam! The most common Soil Series mapped in the County 27,324 acres (8.6%) A deep, nearly level to gently sloping, well drained, medium to high lime soil formed in reddish colored, loamy glacial till. The soil is found on drumlins and till plains. The available water capacity is high. Permeability is moderate to moderately slow. Capability unit I. Non HEL. Prime farmland. NEW YORK AGRICULTURAL LAND CLASSIFICATION - Soil Group #1a, #2a. Hydrologic Soil Group B.

5. Soils 101 What is loam? Soil material that is 7 to 27 percent clay particles, 28 to 50 percent silt particles, and less than 52 percent sand particles. Where is the Ontario loam in Genesee County? Show me the map!

6. ONTARIO LOAM SOIL – 27,324 ACRES (8.6%)

7. Prime farmland Prime farmland is defined as land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and that is available for these uses. It has the combination of soil properties, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields of crops in an economic manner if it is treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods.

9. GENESEE COUNTY PRIME SOILS 120,365 ACRES (38%)

10. PRIME FARMLAND – 120,365 ACRES (38%)

11. GENESEE COUNTY PRIME SOIL WHERE DRAINED 67,450 ACRES (21%)

12. PRIME FARMLAND WHERE DRAINED – 67,450 ACRES (21%)

13. Prime Farmland Where Drained ? Since 1944 the Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District has assisted farms with installing 12,446,776 feet (2,357.3 miles) of tile drainage. What is tile (sub-surface) drainage?  It’s time for our tour – we’ll find out!