1	Mathews County Agriculture Status and Trends Second Tuesdays in Mathews January 8, 2008
2	2002 Census Data ~60,000 acres in Mathews 9000 acres in Farms (↑ 2% since 1997) 47 Farms in County (steadily decreasing) Over $4.5 million (↑66.7% since 1987 and 22% since 1997) Much is due to Commercial Nursery Industry and the value of farm products Increase in size of farms and in number of small and hobby farms (horses)
3	Mathews Crops Soybeans ($950,000) Pasture and Hay ($600,000-700,000) Corn ($500,000) Nursery (↑$1.5 million) Livestock (non-horse) ($300,000) Vegetables, Fruits and Berries, Eggs,Bulbs (↓$100,000)
4	Why is Farming Important? Food Security (Cheap food/self sufficient) Aesthetically Pleasing (Green) Provides a Way of Life Fuel Alternatives Local Economy Recharge Aquifers (better than asphalt/concrete) Wildlife Bio-Diversity Water Quality (No-till, Building Soil O.M.))
5	Water Quality No-till -Farming without tilling the soil, reducing runoff, saving fuel, building biomass (O.M.), trapping carbon) Carbon sequestration –building carbon in/on soil rather than releasing it to atmosphere (greenhouse gases) Carbon trading – Chicago Climate Exchange A producer of greenhouse gases can trade credits with a producer of carbon.
6	Trends Organic Production Livestock and crops Small Operations/Niche Markets/Value-Added Milk & Cheese, Meats, Jams, Jellies, Herbs (Agri-Tourism, Agrotainment) Fresh Locally Grown Produce Every locality wants a “farmer's market”)
7	Development of Specialty Wheat Varieties with High Value End Use Properties
8	Development of HRW Wheat Varieties
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10	"Low Linolenic Fatty Acid" Low Linolenic Fatty Acid
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12	Specialty Soybean Breeding @ VT Large-seeded soybeans Tofu, soymilk, edamame High protein and sucrose Lower yielding Organic traits ?
13	More Trends Larger Farm(ers) Greater Technology Bt Corn, RR Soybeans, drought tolerant and nitrogen efficient crops, GPS, “on-the go”, genetic marking Fuel Alternatives Ethanol (corn) Ethanol (cellulosic) Soy-Diesel Higher grain prices!
14	Exciting Times! Never before, in recent history, has agriculture been such an exciting industry to be involved with. With current prices and innovative technologies, coupled with major interests in conservation, food security, fuel alternatives, and human health; agriculture has taken center stage again.
15	One parting Shot! In 1969, there was 13.5 million acres of farmland in Virginia, in 2003, there was 8.5 million (a loss of 5 million acres) In the next 25-30 years will we lose another 4-5 million?
16	Results: Hulless Versus Hulled Barley Fermentations (No b-Glucanase Added)