Report: Suffolk Farmers Tops in Pumpkins, Sod, Flowers

According to a report released by the New York State Office of the Comptroller on Monday, Suffolk County is the state's top grower of flowers, pumpkins and sod.

While grapes didn't crack the top 10 crops in terms of agricultural market value in 2010, the report noted that as of this year, New York State boasted more than triple the number of wineries (374) than it did in 2000.

New York is estimated to be second in the nation - behind California - in terms of wine production. Wine grape production increased by 17 percent in 2010.

On the East End, about 1.3 million tourists are estimated to visit the area's wineries each year.

The two-page report was issued as the New York State Fair - which, as many regional fairs do, has its roots in agriculture - takes place in Syracuse through Sept. 3.

Milk was by far the state's top agricultural product in 2010 according to the report, holding 47 percent of the ag market share. The state's next biggest commodity - corn grain - checked in at just under 10 percent.

Among other findings:

• Long Island boated the hightest gross agricultural sales in 2007, the most recent year available, in $240 million.
• Direct farm-to-consumer sales reached $362 million in 2009, up 52 percent from 2000, accounting for 10 percent of all sales.
• Apples are New York's largest fruit crop, ranking second nationwide in 2010.
• New York was the second-highest producer of maple syrup and cabbage in the nation in 2010.
• New York ranked first in the nation in production of cottage cheese and sour cream.