2021-22 Visitor & Relocation Guide to Martin County

AGRICULTURE
MARTIN COUNTY FEATURES A DIVERSE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY
AN INDUSTRY OF GROWTH
BY LINDA MESCHKE OF RURAL ADVANTAGE
Fairmont and the Martin County area has a deep
agricultural history. Fertile soils has made the region one
of the most productive in the world where corn, soybean
and livestock can be raised more efficiently, compared
to other agricultural regions around the world .
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture there
were 449,064 acres in farmland in Martin County. There
were 911 farms identified with an average size of 493
acres per farm. The market value of products sold was
$635,524,000 plus $8,613,000 in government payments
received with an additional farm-related income of
$18,745,000. Sales from farm products were 42% from
crops and 58% from livestock. Major crops are com
and soybeans. Extra value is added to these crops by
feeding them to livestock or by converting them to fuel
[ethanol and biodiesel]. The major livestock enterprise
is hogs and pigs with inventory numbers reported as
827,589. Also reported were 102,010 turkeys, 21,069
cattle and calves and 1,170 sheep and lambs. Two
ethanol plants in the county produce about 249 million
gallons per year of ethanol.
No farm enterprise can be successful without a strong
agri-business support system within the community.
Supportive government, bankers, crop and livestock
supply chains, veterinarians, marketing channels,
educational systems, health networks, farm equipment
dealers and repair shops are all critical to the overall
success of farms in the Martin County area. This region
is very fortunate to have this strong support system
which has resulted in strong agricultural leadership,
progressive management of farm operations and
profitable agricultural enterprises across the region.
62 Visitor and Relocation Guide to Martin County | 2021-2022 www.fairmontchamber.org