Nevada County’s 2023 Crop Report: Cannabis and Cattle are top commodities 

On November 12, 2024, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors received a presentation on the 2023 Crop Report. This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of the county’s agricultural landscape, highlighting the economic contributions of various crops and livestock. 

Total Agricultural Value 

The 2023 Crop Report revealed that the total estimated value of all agricultural uses in Nevada County reached an impressive $24.4 million; an increase of 30% over last year and the second highest reported in the last ten years.   These numbers underscore the significant role agriculture plays in the local economy, supporting both farmers and the broader community.   

Cannabis Supplement Report 

In 2019, Nevada County adopted a Cannabis Cultivation ordinance to regulate the commercial cannabis industry. As part of that, the County began to track cannabis crop values. A notable addition to this year’s report are the numbers in the Cannabis Supplement Report, which provide some detailed insights into the cannabis industry in Nevada County. The gross value of cannabis production in 2023 was reported at $10 million. This figure highlights the growing importance of cannabis as a significant agricultural commodity, contributing substantially to the county’s overall agricultural value. The increase was significant, but experts caution that cannabis’ value can swing wildly year to year due to price volatility, market saturation, and regulatory changes. 

Top Grossing Commodities 

Among the diverse array of agricultural products, two stood out for their gross values: 

Cattle and Calves: Livestock farming, particularly cattle and calves, stood out as a leading contributor to the county’s agricultural economy, with a total estimated value of $13 million. 

Commercial Cannabis Cultivation: The estimated value of cannabis grew to $10 million this year, surpassing all other agricultural products except for livestock. 

4 Year Summary of Estimated Cannabis and Ag Values 

Year	# Permits	Total canopy size (in acres)	Estimated cannabis value	Estimated Ag value (without cannabis)
2020	57	9.13	$11,992,300	$19,702,000
2021	112	18.74	$12,401,600	$21,222,300
2022	171	33	$6,932,500	$18,773,400
2023	154	32.3	$10,203,800	$24,379,500

Data sourced from Nevada County Published Crop Reports: Archive Center • Crop Reports 

Conclusion 

The 2023 Crop Report for Nevada County paints a picture of a vibrant and diverse agricultural sector. With a total estimated value of $34 million and significant contributions from wine grapes, cattle, and cannabis, the county’s agricultural industry continues to thrive and evolve. As these sectors grow, they promise to bring further economic benefits and opportunities to the community. 

For over ten years, SYRCL’s Growing Green Program emphasizes the importance of a regulated cannabis market that can enforce sustainable cultivation practices, such as reducing water usage and establishing environmentally friendly management practices.  SYRCL believes that a healthy and regulated market can incentivize more cannabis cultivators to become licensed by offering them access to resources and a stable and predictable market.   SYRCL continues to work with the County to advocate for environmental protections in our local regulations and encourage our community to adopt best management practices to protect our water quality, fish, and wildlife.  

For more information on SYRCL’s Growing Green for the Yuba program, see Growing Green • SYRCL