St. Lawrence County is among the state’s top ten agricultural producers and the North Country accounts for 14 percent of statewide agricultural sales, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

New York State continues to be a leading agricultural state with 36,300 farms producing $4.7 billion in products annually,

The North Country region, which includes St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Lewis counties, is the state’s second-largest producer of milk and other dairy products.

New York State continues to be a leading agricultural state with 36,300 farms producing $4.7 billion in products annually, according to the report.

New York ranks among the largest producers in the nation for some goods, including ranking second in wine production.

Milk remains New York’s largest farm product, accounting for almost half of the state’s agricultural sales in 2010. New York was the nation’s fourth-largest milk producer and ranked first in the production of cottage cheese and sour cream. Further, New York is well on its way to being a national leader in the production of Greek-style yogurt.

“While farming in New York is mainly a small, family business, its economic impact is widespread,” DiNapoli said. “Farming supports thousands of New Yorkers in a variety of industries and services, such as food processing, trucking and tourism. Farms also protect open space and improve public health by meeting the rising demand for nutritious, locally grown food. We need to do all we can to make sure New York farmers can successfully continue their way of life.”

The report was announced at the New York State Fair, a showcase for New York’s agricultural community since 1841.

Most of the state’s regions contribute significantly to New York’s agricultural production, with the Finger Lakes region leading the way with 30 percent of statewide agricultural sales. The North County accounts for 14 percent while Central New York produces 12 percent.

The report provides details on New York’s agricultural sector, including:

· New York was the second-largest producer of maple syrup and cabbage in the United States in 2010 and

· The average New York farm is smaller than 200 acres, less than half the national average.

For a copy of the report visit http://www.osc.state.ny.us/osdc/rpt7-2013.pdf.