Farm value dips as grapes and cannabis slump
- barneyelias0
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
OG Article By Roger Coryell Watch Today's LIVE Episode on X and Rumble
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September 08 2025
Sonoma County’s 2024 crop report: Supervisors to review report Sept. 9
Sonoma County’s 2024 crop report is out, and it’s sparking lively discussion at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 9.
The county’s farms grossed $857.6 million last year, down 9.3% from 2023’s $945.7 million.
After a stellar 2023, some crops faced challenges, but bright spots shone through. Here’s the catchy, condensed scoop.
By the Numbers: 2024 Highlights
Total Gross Value: $857.6 million, a 9.3% drop from 2023.
Winegrapes: 211,512 tons crushed, down 12.2%, valued at $626.55 million (73% of total crop value), down 12.6%.
Apples: Value up 21% with 9.2% more tonnage, thanks to better chill hours and soil moisture.
Dairy: Milk value soared 37.4%, driven by a 50% spike in organic milk output.
Poultry & Eggs: Value crashed 49% after avian flu killed 1.2 million birds.
Nursery Crops: Down 7.3%, with bedding plants and vineyard stock hit hardest. Cut flowers rose 8.6%; Christmas trees jumped 33%.
Cannabis: Value plummeted to $12.2 million, less than half of 2023’s $25.7 million, despite stable 13.5-acre cultivation.
Winegrapes: Down but Not Out
Winegrapes, Sonoma’s agricultural titan, took a hit. Harvests dropped 12.2% to 211,512 tons, with a market glut leaving some grapes unpicked.
Prices stayed steady at $2,962 per ton, but lower sales cut the crop’s value to $626.6 million, down 12.6%. After 2023’s cool, misty season, 2024’s normal weather ended with a late heat spike, rushing some harvests.
It’s a buyer’s market now, and vintners are adjusting.
Apples: A Juicy Win
Apples stole the show with a 21% value increase.
A bigger harvest (up 9.2% in tonnage) and strong late-season prices fueled the gains.
Gravensteins dipped 8.4% per ton, but ample winter chill and wet soils boosted yields.
Local apple love from cider-makers and consumers added sweetness to the season.
Livestock: Dairy Soars, Poultry Sinks
Dairy farmers celebrated a 37.4% value jump, led by organic milk’s near-50% output surge.
Conventional milk dipped 19%, but organic demand saved the day.
Poultry, however, took a beating. Avian flu wiped out 1.2 million birds, slashing value by 49%. Sonoma’s “egg basket” legacy is fading fast under disease and cost pressures.
Nursery and Cannabis: Tough Times
Nursery crops fell 7.3%, with bedding plants and grapevine stock sales softening.
Cut flowers and Christmas trees offered small wins, up 8.6% and 33%, respectively.
Cannabis struggled, with its value crashing to $12.2 million due to low prices and oversupply, despite steady 13.5-acre cultivation.
The “green rush” dream is dimming.
What’s Next?
Sonoma’s 2024 ag report shows resilience amid challenges.
Winegrapes dominate but face market hurdles.
Apples and dairy shine, while poultry and cannabis need support.
At Tuesday’s meeting, expect talk on navigating oversupply, aiding struggling sectors, and boosting diverse crops to keep Sonoma’s farms thriving.
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