LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County’s agricultural production hit a record level for value in 2023, despite shifts in key commodities, according to the latest county crop report.

Agricultural Commissioner Katherine VanDerWall presented the final 2023 crop report to the Board of Supervisors at its Dec. 10 meeting.

The annual crop reports typically come out about a year after the close of the reported time period. The 2024 report is not expected to be released until the fall or end of this year.

VanDerWall thanked her staff and the agricultural producers who supplied information for the report, which is mandated by state Food and Agricultural Code, specifically, Sections 2272 and 2279, enacted in 1967.

The report, VanDerWall explained, is used by ranchers and growers, suppliers, financial institutions, research and education agencies, regulatory agencies, transportation and labor agencies, as well as animal-related health and disease programs.

The big news for 2023: The estimated gross production value for 2023 was $140 million, a 31% increase over 2022 and also a new record for Lake County, VanDerWall said.

The 2023 total surpasses the last record set in 2017, $120.8 million.

In the 2022 report, VanDerWall started doing a historical comparison between current production levels and those reported 50 years ago, which shows the changes in crops over the years.

In 1973, the following production totals were reported:

• Pears: 7,270 acres.
• Winegrapes: 472 acres.
• Walnuts: 9,601 acres.
• Field and seed crops: 186,114 acres.
• Cattle and calves: 7,994 head.

For 2023, the numbers for those categories were as follows:

• Pears: 1,347.50 acres.
• Winegrapes: 11,094 acres.
• Walnuts: 3,485 acres.
• Field and seed crops: 90,711 acres.
• Cattle and calves: 1,676 head.

For 2023, the top commodities were:
1. Winegrapes, pretty consistent: $114,621,613.
2. Pears: $19,699,538.
3. Cattle and calves: $1,815,025.
4. Field and seed: $1,688,800.
5. Miscellaneous livestock: $810,635.

The 2023 crop report also includes cannabis production. It’s the second report in which VanDerWall has included those numbers, although they are not believed to be complete.

In 2022, she gave the report in square footage, and was asked to give it in acres, which she did in the 2023 report.

For mixed light, the total was 8.6 acres. For outdoor growing, it was 210 acres.

“So I do not have values associated with this. We just did not get enough survey responses to represent the industry as a whole, so we will continue to reach out to producers to see if we can get that information to hopefully someday include the values in the crop report,” VanDerWall said

Supervisor Jessica Pyska referred to a comprehensive economic report completed for Lake County in 2017 that she would like to see updated. VanDerWall agreed.

Pyska said winegrape acreage is decreasing here and statewide. “We do know that there’s reductions here this year and probably likely more coming too,” she said, adding that it’s the reality of the industry.

VanDerWall said she knows some vineyards are removing acres, which will be reflected in the 2024 crop report.

“I think the values and the trends are going to look a little bit different in 2024,” said VanDerWall.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier asked if the 2024 report will be out in a year. VanDerWall said the goal is to get it out sooner. She is waiting for industry reports, so she estimated it could come out between late summer or early fall, and December.

Sabatier asked her about the source of the numbers she is getting for cannabis production.

VanDerWall said there are two different sets of data, the permitted acres available through the Community Development Department and the acreage actually grown that is tracked by the tax collector. It’s the latter numbers that she used.

Sabatier asked about the sources for other crops. VanDerWall said there are industry reports such as for timber and packing sheds. Her staff also reaches out to smaller producers, making phone calls and sending out surveys.

“One hundred percent data return is not always going to happen, so we do the best that we can with the information that we have,” she said, noting they always encourage people to provide their numbers.

The information producers provide is kept confidential, said VanDerWall, pointing out that the report doesn’t identify single producers but is a comprehensive dataset.

Noting that VanDerWall is part of the county’s food policy council group, Sabatier mentioned his concerns about vegetable crops declining to three acres.

While that doesn’t include things like melons and other types of miscellaneous crops, it’s still a reduction, said Sabatier, adding the food council is working on a strategic plan.

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