San Mateo County agricultural production, livestock revenue highest in years, report finds – CBS News

San Mateo County 2024 Agricultural Report: Economic Growth and Sustainable Development

Executive Summary of Key Findings

• The gross production value for agriculture exceeded $106 million, the highest figure recorded since 2019.
• Overall agricultural production experienced a 7.6% increase compared to the previous year.
• Revenue from livestock demonstrated significant growth with a 38% increase.
• Leading commodities included floral and nursery crops (over $60 million) and vegetables ($27 million).

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The report indicates substantial progress toward SDG 8 by fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth within the county’s agricultural sector.

• The total production value of over $106 million reflects robust economic activity and contributes to the local economy.
• Increased revenue across livestock, floral, and vegetable sectors supports employment and provides decent work for farmers, ranchers, and associated laborers.
• The growth of local enterprises, such as family ranches, stimulates economic diversification and resilience.

Advancements in Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

The reported increase in agricultural output directly supports SDG 2 by enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

• A 7.6% rise in overall production increases the availability of locally sourced food for the region.
• The expansion of livestock operations, including cattle, hogs, and chickens, improves access to protein sources.
• Strong performance in vegetable crops, including brussels sprouts and pumpkins, contributes to improved nutrition and a stable supply of fresh produce.

Aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The report highlights practices and trends that align with the principles of SDG 12, ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

1. Promotion of Regenerative Agriculture: The success of ranches utilizing “regenerative, all grass-fed, grass-finished” methods demonstrates a commitment to sustainable production that minimizes environmental impact.
2. Strengthening Local Supply Chains: Growth is attributed to local partnerships and direct consumer engagement at farmer’s markets, which reduces food miles and fosters responsible consumption.
3. Value-Added Processing: The report acknowledges the critical role of local agricultural suppliers and processing plants in creating sustainable and efficient food systems.

Supporting Environmental and Partnership Goals (SDGs 13, 15, & 17)

The county’s agricultural success is linked to broader environmental and collaborative efforts, reflecting progress on multiple SDGs.

• SDG 13 (Climate Action) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): The emphasis on regenerative farming practices contributes to improved soil health and ecosystem resilience. The report also notes the influence of climatic factors, such as a 25% increase in rainfall, on production outcomes.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The report explicitly credits growth to “connections with so many farms” and increased partnerships, underscoring the importance of collaboration among producers and the community to achieve sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article focuses on increased agricultural production and sustainable farming practices, which are central to ensuring food security.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The report of a 7.6% increase in agricultural production value and a gross value of over $106 million directly relates to economic growth within a key sector.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The mention of “regenerative, all grass-fed, grass-finished” farming practices highlights a shift towards sustainable production methods.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article explicitly states that “partnerships for local produce” and connections among farms contributed to the growth, emphasizing the role of collaboration.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article supports this by highlighting the success of a family-run ranch (Markegard Family Grass Fed) and the overall increase in production value and revenue for the county’s agricultural sector.
  • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The mention of “regenerative” farming by Markegard Family Grass Fed is a direct example of implementing sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article demonstrates increased economic productivity in the agricultural sector, with the “gross production value reached more than $106 million last year, which is the highest since 2019.”
  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. The article’s focus on the success and growth of a family ranch (“We have grown to be a pretty big operation”) exemplifies the growth of a small enterprise contributing to the local economy.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The practice of “regenerative, all grass-fed, grass-finished” farming is a method aimed at the sustainable management of land and livestock resources.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article explicitly credits “more partnerships for local produce” for the production growth. Furthermore, the rancher’s statement, “We have connections with so many farms… we do meat trades with,” directly illustrates civil society partnerships at the local level.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 2.3 (Productivity and Income):

  • Indicator: The “7.6% increase in agricultural production” serves as a direct measure of productivity growth.
  • Indicator: The “38% increase in revenue generated from livestock” is a clear indicator of increased income for food producers in that sub-sector.
  • Indicator: The total “gross production value reached more than $106 million” provides a monetary measure of the sector’s output.

• For Target 2.4 (Sustainable Practices):

  • Indicator: The adoption of “regenerative, all grass-fed, grass-finished” farming methods by local ranches is a qualitative indicator of the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices.

• For Target 8.2 (Economic Productivity):

  • Indicator: The fact that the $106 million gross production value is the “highest since 2019” indicates a positive trend in economic productivity for the sector.

• For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):

  • Indicator: The explicit mention of “partnerships for local produce” and farmer-to-farmer “meat trades” serves as a qualitative indicator of active and effective partnerships contributing to economic and agricultural goals.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com