Mushrooms Make Santa Clara County's Top Crop

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The 2018 Santa Clara County Crop Report highlighting agriculture production and revenues showed the considerable value of agriculture commerce to the region, Santa Clara County reported Tuesday.

And at $295 million, it's a driving force.

"Agriculture remains a strong economic driver in Santa Clara County," county Supervisor Mike Wasserman said. "Our farmers continue to be innovative and strategic in producing high yields from the region’s excellent soil."

What's at the top of the list?

Mushrooms became the county’s top agricultural product in 2018, with $82 million in revenues, representing a 10.5 percent increase from 2017.

The county’s other top producers for 2018 were as follows:

• Nursery crops at $80 million
• Lettuce at $17 million
• Bell peppers at $14 million
• Wine grapes at $10 million
• Tomatoes at $10 million

Over the last year, 21 different agricultural commodities grown in Santa Clara County exceeded $1 million in value, with hay and grain moving onto the list.

Spinach and cherries were both top 10 crops in 2017, but both saw production fall by more than $10 million in 2018.

Overall agriculture revenues were down 6.7 percent.

"Mushroom production brought a strong price for producers in 2018,” county Agriculture Commissioner Joe Deviney said. “Our weather is ideal for so many crops, but there are still variables that can’t be controlled.

Mushrooms are far more resilient than many crops. They produce year-round and have even found haven in fire-ravaged regions.

The county agriculture report features a diverse range of nursery crops.

"Knowing our lands produce commodities that are also purchased locally adds to the economic viability of crop production in Santa Clara County," Supervisor Dave Cortese said.