ABOUT FARMING IN SCOTT COUNTY

Excerpts from a 2009 University of Minnesota report for the county, based largely on the most recent federal agricultural census:

• "Scott County is rated first [in the state] in terms of market value from pigeons and squab and is ranked third for pheasants. Additionally, the county ranks fifth in production of fruits, tree nuts, and berries in the state, producing $911,000 of market value for the county and the 21 farms that cultivate these products."

• Of six nearby metro and metro-fringe counties with quite a bit of farming still going on, "Dakota and Le Sueur Counties had the highest average farm size in 2007 (231 acres), whereas Scott County had the lowest average farm size (148 acres)."

• Key "defining characteristics" of Scott County's agricultural sector, compared to metro peers, included the lowest average and median farm sizes, a younger average age of farmers, fewer farmers identifying farming as their primary occupation, a higher percentage of female farm operators, and lower total acreage used in farming.