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League of Women Voters--Know Your County

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FARMING
Lebanon County's farmers work in a fertile and historic area between the Blue Mountain and the South Mountain. Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the County. In 1994, 117,900 acres of the County were considered land in farms. This figure includes land in pastures, woodlands, land used for buildings, and land under cultivation. There are 940 farms in the County. Not only is the Lebanon Valley ideally suited for agriculture, it is also perfectly located for marketing these products; about one third of the nation's population is within an overnight haul of local farms.

In addition to the production of agricultural products, Lebanon County has a strong agribusiness industry. There are at least 25 food processing businesses in the County (excluding retail food stores) employing at least 2,000 people (with an annual payroll exceeding $47,000,000).

Other related businesses include 104 ag services and lumber and wood processors which employee 1,979 people for an annual payroll of over $39.3 million.

Despite the County's urban population of about 47.3 percent, many residents are employed in agricultural related businesses. Together, farming and these agribusinesses contribute significantly to the economic health of the County.