Agriculture is a $181 million business in San Mateo County

Agriculture revenue in the county was $180,621,000 in 2003, down from $183,148,000 in 2002, reports the San Mateo County Times:

Land in production for outdoor-grown floral and nursery crops increased by 198 acres, or 6 percent, over the 2002 totals.

...

Many important Coastal crops—including lilies, iris, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, and leeks—also showed increases in production. More cattle, sheep and lambs were sold.

The article noted that agriculture was down 90 percent in the county since 1940, citing "high real estate prices" as a reason.

Elsewhere, the Times says a team of Stanford Business School students helping farmers market their produce locally, under the slogan "Buy fresh, buy local", which has been very successful in Santa Cruz County.