Forestry 



Forests, the major land use in the State, occupy 15.5 million acres, or 

 45% of the State's land. In 1978, real cash receipts of forest products were 

 about $61.4 million. Real income increased 18% in 1975-78. Over 50% of Flor- 

 ida's forest land is controlled by non-industrial users (noncorporate owners). 

 The bulk of commercial forests and wood processing and manufacturing plants is 

 located in north and west Florida. Forest products have the largest retail 

 markup of any agricultural products, i.e., 2,500% from the tree to the con- 

 sumer. Sawlogs and pulpwood are the major products from the State's timber 

 industry. 



Although this study is concerned largely with the socioeconomic aspects 

 of agriculture, there are other considerations. Many other jobs, businesses, 

 and other sources of income stem from agriculture. Examples are the feed, 

 fertilizer, and machinery industries that support farming and processing ind- 

 ustries, transportation, papermills, services and industries, and others that 

 derive their existence from Florida ranchers and farmers. These subjects are 

 discussed in the following section. 



AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA 



The coastal region of Southwest Florida is comprised of ten counties with 

 a land area of 5.9 million acres or approximately 15.8% of the State's total 

 land area. According to the Florida Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, 

 Southwest Florida is among the State's principal citrus, vegetable, beef 

 cattle, and egg producing areas. The northern half of the region from Pasco 

 County to Sarasota County is a major producer of tomatoes, peppers, sweetcorn, 

 cabbage, lettuce, celery, bush and pole beans, oranges, beef cattle, dairy 

 cattle, and eggs. This area also supports numerous processing plants and 

 citrus concentrate processing and transportation facilities. 



The southern half of Southwest Florida, from Charlotte to Monroe County, 

 is a major producer of sweetcorn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, 

 tomatoes, and watermelons. In 1978, Southwest Florida contributed 2.1 million 

 acres or 15.9% of the State's agricultural acreage (Florida Statistical 

 Abstract 1980). The land for the most part is low and flat. Drainage is 

 required because swamps and marshes comprise much of the land. The area is 

 almost semitropical ; average daily temperatures range from a low 50° to 60°F 

 in the winter to a high of 80° to 90°F during the rainy season (June through 

 September). 



The two basic soil types in Southwest Florida are apparent by the diver- 

 sity of agricultural crops. Pasco and northern Hillsborough Counties have 

 gently sloping hills, sandy soil, and moderately good drainage, whereas, 

 Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota have sandy soil and poor drainage. Sandy soil 

 is excellent for citrus fruits and many vegetable crops. Lee, Collier, and 

 Monroe Counties have a serious drainage problem. Much of the soil is peat and 

 muck. 



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