The Regional Agricultural Economic Impact Study assessed the impact of agriculture on the regional economy and confirmed its importance. Important findings of the study include:

• The top ten commodity groups in 2001 were: greenhouse, hog, cash crop, nursery, poultry, grape, tender fruit, beef, horse & pony, and dairy.

• The greenhouse industry is currently the largest commodity group in Niagara.

• The total gross farm receipts in 2001 in Niagara was $511.1 million dollars.

• The $511.1 million worth of output produced $1.8 billion in output impact in the economy, of which $344 million was related to labour income.

• Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake and West Lincoln generated the highest gross farm receipts; and Fort Erie, Niagara Falls and Welland had the lowest.

• The social and cultural aspects of the agricultural industry are important to consider, such as the age of farmers, the aesthetics of driving through farmland and what a loss of the landscape would mean, farmer training and programs for schools.

Click here to download the report.

For more information on the Study, please contact Pat Busnello at ext. 3379.