Statistical Profile of Yarmouth

Prepared by the Federation of Agriculture 1

Contents 1.0 Introduction ...... 2 Agriculture in the Local Economy ...... 2 2.0 Population and Population Change ...... 3 3.0 Economic Profile ...... 4 4.0 Agricultural Profile of ...... 6 4.1 Number of Farms ...... 6 4.2 Farm Revenue ...... 8 4.3 Farm Expenses ...... 10 4.4 Land Use ...... 12 4.5 Farm Size ...... 13 Bibliography ...... 15 Appendix ...... 16

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1.0 Introduction

Agriculture in the Local Economy

Yarmouth County is home to a variety of farm production activities from fruit and tree nut farming to cattle ranching. In 2010, Yarmouth County farms reported a total of approximately $8.9 million in farm receipts which accounted for 1.5% of all receipts reported in Nova Scotia. In the same year, farms in Yarmouth County reported a total business operating expense of approximately $7.4 million. Thus, agriculture in Yarmouth produced a surplus of $1.5 million.

In terms of employment, health care, trade, manufacturing, and natural resources are the dominant industries in the Southern region. Low employment in the agricultural industry may be due geographical limitations, climate, or a focus on other industries. Although the agri-tourism industry is not established in Yarmouth to the same extent that it is in other parts of Nova Scotia, there are several events that promote local agriculture. These agri-tourism projects include the Yarmouth Farmers Market, roadside farm markets, U-picks, and the annual exhibition.

In addition to a decline in the number of farms since 2006, Yarmouth County has also experienced a decrease in the number of acres used for farming purposes. Indeed, Yarmouth County ranks 14th among all in regard to its use of arable land (“Yarmouth County,” para. 3). With 5% of arable land being used for agricultural production, Yarmouth falls below the provincial average of 13% (“Yarmouth County,” para. 3). It is clear that although agriculture is not a dominant industry in Yarmouth, there is potential for economic growth through agriculture.

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2.0 Population and Population Change

Between the years 2006 and 2011, Yarmouth County experienced a total population decline of 3.8% or a total of 1002 people. Table 1 demonstrates that, for the most part, Yarmouth experienced a decrease in population across all census subdivisions. The only area to experience an increase was the reserve in Yarmouth with a population increase of 1.3%. Yarmouth County’s rate of population change (- 3.8%) fell below that of Nova Scotia’s (0.9%).

Table 1: Population of Yarmouth and Census Subdivisions, 2006-2011

Area 2011 2006 % Change Yarmouth County 25,275 26,277 -3.8 Argyle (Municipality) 8,252 8,656 -4.7 Yarmouth (Municipality) 10,105 10,304 -1.9 Yarmouth (Reserve) 157 155 1.3 Yamouth (Town) 6,761 7,162 -5.6 Note: Adapted from , 2011.

The population of Yarmouth County is predominately concentrated in rural regions. Since 2006, both rural regions and population centres experienced population declines of approximately 3% and 5.6% respectively.

Table 2: Yarmouth County, Rural1 and Population Centres2, 2006-2011

2011 2006

Population % of Total Population % of Total

Rural 18,514 73.3 19,115 72.7

Population Centre 6,761 26.7 7,162 27.3

Total 25,275 100 26,277 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

1 In this case, rural refers to municipalities and reserves. 2 Population centre refers to an area of at least 1,000 and no fewer than 400 persons per square kilometer. Beginning in 2011, the term ‘population centre’ replaces the term ‘urban area’ from previous censuses. 4

3.0 Economic Profile

In 2013, the Southern region (including Digby, Yarmouth, Queens, Shelburne, and Lunenburg)3 represented approximately 15% of the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia. Although, an estimate for Yarmouth County is not specifically given, the data indicates that its geographic region is a significant component to the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia.

In comparison to the other industries in the Southern region, agriculture accounted for approximately 1.63% of all jobs in the region, which is higher than the provincial average of 1.17%. The industries with the highest employment in the Southern region were trade, health care and social assistance, manufacturing and natural resources (i.e. forestry, fishing, etc.).

Table 3: Southern Region, Total Employment by Industry, 2013

3 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) divides Nova Scotia into 5 geographical regions. The Southern region includes Digby, Yarmouth, Queens, Shelburne, and Lunenburg counties. According to the Labour Force Survey Estimates (LFS), some areas are too small to enable production of independent estimates from the survey. Thus, smaller regions with similar economic characteristics are grouped together. 5

% of Nova Scotia's % of Southern Region's Industry Nova Scotia Total Employment Southern Total Employment Total employed, all industries 453,800 100 49,100 100 Agriculture 5,300 1.17 800 1.63 Forestry, fishing, mining, etc. 11,200 2.47 4,200 8.55 Utilities 4,600 1.01 N/A N/A Construction 33,500 7.38 4,100 8.35 Manufacturing 30,600 6.74 5,900 12.02 Trade 73,000 16.09 8,000 16.29 Transportation and warehousing 19,600 4.32 1,400 2.85 Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing 22,100 4.87 1,000 2.04 Professional, scientific and technical services 27,800 6.13 1,500 3.05 Business, building and other support services 23,500 5.18 2,300 4.68 Educational services 36,700 8.09 3,900 7.94 Health care and social assistance 69,400 15.29 6,700 13.65 Information, culture and recreation 19,300 4.25 1,700 3.46 Accommodation and food services 29,000 6.39 3,300 6.72 Other services 18,600 4.1 2,300 4.68 Public administration 29,400 6.48 1,700 3.46 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2013.

Figure 1 displays a clear comparison of the percentages of total employed by each industry in Nova Scotia and the Southern region.

20 15 10 5 0 Nova Scotia

Southern Region %of Total Employed

Industry

Figure 1: % of Total Employed by Industry: Southern Region vs. Nova Scotia, 2013. 6

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2013.

4.0 Agricultural Profile of Yarmouth County

4.1 Number of Farms

From 2006 to 2011, the total number of farms in Yarmouth County had decreased by two. Table 4 indicates that the predominant farm types in Yarmouth County were fruit and tree nut (29.7%) and cattle ranching (19.8%). While cattle ranching remains a dominant farm activity in Yarmouth, it had decreased from 26 to 18 farms (-30.77%) since 2006. On the other hand, other animal production, greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, and other crop farming had all increase. All other types of farm production have either decreased or remained the same.

Table 4: Yarmouth County, Total Number of Farms by Farm Type, 2006-2011

Farm Type 2011 2006 % Change # of Farms % of Total # of Farms % of Total Cattle ranching and farming 18 19.8 26 27.9 -30.77 Hog and pig farming 0 0 0 0 0 Poultry and egg production 1 1.1 0 0 0 Sheep and goat farming 4 4.4 6 6.5 -33.33 Other animal production 16 17.6 12 12.9 33.33 Oilseed and grain farming 1 1.1 0 0 0 Vegetable and melon farming 2 2.2 5 5.4 -60 Fruit and tree nut farming 27 29.7 30 32.3 -10 Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production 6 6.5 5 5.4 20 Other crop farming 16 17.6 9 9.6 77.78 Total farms 91 100 93 100 -2.15 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In comparison to Nova Scotia, Yarmouth County had a higher percentage in cattle ranching; sheep and goat; other animal production; fruit and tree nut; and other crop farming. It is evident that the percentage of fruit and tree nut farming production (29.7%) in Yarmouth County was higher than that of the provincial percentage of 24.8%. The percentage of greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production in Yarmouth County fell below that of the provincial average by 7.6%. 7

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 %of Total Farms 0 Yarmouth Nova Scotia

Farm Type

Figure 2: % of Total Farms by Farm Type: Yarmouth County vs. Nova Scotia, 2011

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

Table 5 demonstrates that the municipality of Yarmouth had the highest percentage of farms in the county (64.84%) while Argyle had the lowest percentage of farms (35.16%).

Table 5: Total Number of Farms by Farm Type by Census Subdivision, 20114

Yarmouth Farm Type County Argyle Yarmouth Cattle ranching and farming 18 4 14

Hog and pig farming 0 0 0

Poultry and egg production 1 0 1

Sheep and goat farming 4 2 2

Other animal production 16 7 9

Oilseed and grain farming 1 0 1

Vegetable and melon farming 2 1 1 Fruit and tree nut farming 27 12 15 Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production 6 3 3 Other crop farming 16 3 13

Total farms 91 32 59 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4 According to Statistics Canada, a census subdivision is an area that is a municipality or an area that is deemed to be equivalent to a municipality for statistical reporting purposes. 8

4.2 Farm Revenue

Farms in Yarmouth County reported approximately $8.9 million in farm receipts in 2010 which had increased from approximately $7.8 million in 2006. Despite Yarmouth County’s increase in revenue, its percentage of Nova Scotia’s total farm receipts declined. In 2006, Yarmouth County’s revenue formed 1.53% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue. Meanwhile in 2010, Yarmouth County’s revenue constituted 1.5% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue.

Table 6: Total Farm Receipts for Yarmouth County and Nova Scotia, 2006-2010

2010 2006 % Change Nova Scotia $ 594,903,481.00 $ 509,520,691.00 16.76 Yarmouth County $ 8,905,042.00 $ 7,809,640.00 14.03 % of Nova Scotia's receipts 1.5 1.53 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

According to census subdivisions, the municipality of Yarmouth reported approximately 72% of Yarmouth County’s total farm receipts. This subdivision also had the highest receipts per farm with an approximate average of $108,000. Meanwhile, Argyle had receipts per farm lower than the County’s average of approximately $98,000. There were no subdivisions that reported average receipts per farm higher than the provincial average receipts per farm of $152,344.

Table 7: Total Farm Receipts by Census Subdivision for Yarmouth County, 2010

Total Farms Total Farm Receipts % of County Total Receipts per Farm Yarmouth County 91 $ 8,905,042.00 100 $ 97,857.60 Argyle 32 $ 2,506,240.00 28.14 $ 78,320.00 Yarmouth 59 $ 6,398,802.00 71.86 $ 108,454.27 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In 2010, 83.52% of farms in Yarmouth County reported receipts of an amount less than $50,000. Farm receipts under $10,000 appeared to be the most popular category with 49 farms reporting receipts of this amount. These reports constituted 53.85% of the total farm receipts for Yarmouth County. 9

Table 8: Total Number of Farms in Yarmouth County by Farm Receipts, 2006-2010

Farm Receipts Category 2010 2006 # of Farms % of Total # of Farms % of Total Under $10,000 49 53.85 42 45.16 $10,000 to $24,999 19 20.88 24 25.81 $25,000 to $49,999 8 8.79 7 7.53 $50,000 to $99,999 5 5.48 7 7.53 $100,000 to $249,999 2 2.2 6 6.45 $250,000 to $499,999 4 4.4 3 3.22 $500,000 to $999,999 2 2.2 3 3.22 $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 1 1.1 0 0 $2,000,000 and over 1 1.1 1 1.08 Total Farms 91 100 93 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

Figure 3 demonstrates that the percentage of farm receipts for Yarmouth and Nova Scotia were similarly distributed across all categories.

60 50 40 30 20 10 Nova Scotia %of Total Farm Receipts 0 Yarmouth County

Farm Receipts Category

Figure 3: % of Total Farms by Farm Receipts Category: Yarmouth County vs. Nova Scotia, 2010

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

Table 9 displays the reports for each farm receipts category according to each census subdivision. 10

Table 9: Total Number of Farm by Total Farm Receipts Category by Census Subdivision, 2010

Nova Yarmouth Farm Receipts Category Scotia County Argyle Yarmouth Under $10,000 1,643 49 20 29 $10,000 to $24,999 799 19 8 11 $25,000 to $49,999 418 8 1 7 $50,000 to $99,999 273 5 1 4 $100,000 to $249,999 277 2 0 2 $250,000 to $499,999 199 4 0 4 $500,000 to $999,999 154 2 1 1 $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 92 1 1 0 $2,000,000 and over 50 1 0 1

Total Farms 3,905 91 32 59 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.3 Farm Expenses

In 2010, the total farm business operating expense for Yarmouth County was $7,449,253. In Yarmouth, the average business operating expense per farm was approximately $82,000 which was lower than the provincial average of approximately $128,000. It is evident that the greatest expenses for farms were total wages and salaries ($1,759,772) and other expenses excluding depreciation and capital cost allowance ($1,309,432). 11

Table 10: Farm Business Operating Expenses for Yarmouth County and Nova Scotia, 2010

Nova Scotia Yarmouth County Farms Farms Reporting Amount ($) Reporting Amount ($) Fertilizer and lime purchases 1,957 $ 13,201,434.00 32 $ 53,407.00 Purchases of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. 1,459 $ 11,734,327.00 24 $ 18,721.00 Seed and plant purchases (excluding materials purchased for resale) 1,286 $ 10,952,683.00 24 N/A Total feed, supplements and hay purchases 1,825 $ 108,870,856.00 43 N/A Livestock and poultry purchases 1,067 $ 30,507,684.00 23 $ 236,753.00 Veterinary services, drugs, semen, breeding fees, etc. 1,517 $ 8,710,636.00 31 $ 190,365.00 Custom work, contract work and hired trucking 1,665 $ 28,483,557.00 35 $ 340,261.00 Total wages and salaries 1,521 $ 101,190,562.00 23 $ 1,759,772.00 All fuel expenses (diesel, gas, etc.) 3,644 $ 26,035,222.00 84 $ 266,063.00 Repairs and maintenance to farm machinery, equipment and vehicles 3,344 $ 22,441,124.00 78 $ 321,281.00 Repairs and maintenance to farm buildings and fences 2,301 $ 10,367,519.00 54 $ 183,786.00

Rental and leasing of land and buildings 581 $ 4,145,716.00 13 N/A Rental and leasing of farm machinery, equipment and vehicles 515 $ 5,818,991.00 9 N/A Electricity, telephone and all other telecommunication services 2,898 $ 11,790,016.00 67 $ 155,064.00 Farm interest expenses 1,579 $ 26,107,223.00 34 N/A All other expenses (excluding depreciation and capital cost allowance) 3,352 $ 80,190,026.00 77 $ 1,309,432.00

Total farm business operating expenses 3,905 $ 500,547,576.00 91 $ 7,449,253.00 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In 2006, Yarmouth County farms reported a total of $6,357,733 in farm business expenses with an average expense per farm of approximately $68,000. On the other hand, in 2010, farms reported an amount of $7,449,253 with an average expense per farm of approximately $82,000. Therefore, farms in Yarmouth County increased their average operating expense by approximately $13,000 in four years. 12

Table 11: Total Farm Business Operating Expenses Yarmouth County, 2006-2010

Total Farm Business Farms Average Operating Operating Expenses Reporting Amount ($) Expense per Farm

2010 91 $ 7,449,253.00 $ 81,859.92

2006 93 $ 6,357,733.00 $ 68,362.72 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.4 Land Use

In 2011, area in Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands accounted for most of the land use in Yarmouth County (51.7%). Furthermore, land in crops made up 21.22% of the land use in Yarmouth County. Summer fallow, tame of seeded pasture, natural land for pasture, and other land composed the remaining farmland (27.08%).

In comparison to provincial land use, Yarmouth County had a higher percentage in terms of tame of seeded pasture and natural land for pasture.

Table 12: Land Use for Yarmouth County and Nova Scotia, 2011

Land Use Yarmouth County Nova Scotia

# of Acres % of Total # of Acres % of Total Land in Crops (excluding Christmas tree area) 2,628 21.22 280,889 27.59

Summer Fallow N/A 1,145 0.11

Tame of Seeded Pasture 970 7.83 52,271 5.13

Natural Land for Pasture 1,775 14.33 62,142 6.11 Area in Christmas trees, Woodlands and Wetlands 6,402 51.7 559,664 54.97

All Other Land N/A 61,964 6.09

Total 12,384 95.08 1,018,075 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

The number of acres used for farming purposes had decreased since 2006 from 14,715 acres to 12,384 acres. Since 2006, there had been a decrease in the percentage of total land used for crops and Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands. 13

Table 13: Land Use in Yarmouth County, 2006-2011

Land Use 2011 2006 # of Acres % of Total # of Acres % of Total Land in Crops (excluding Christmas tree area) 2,628 21.22 3,017 20.5 Summer Fallow N/A N/A

Tame of Seeded Pasture 970 7.83 N/A

Natural Land for Pasture 1,775 14.33 N/A Area in Christmas trees, Woodlands and Wetlands 6,402 51.7 7,803 53.03 All Other Land N/A 1,626 11.05 Total 12,384 95.08 14,715 84.58 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.5 Farm Size

In 2011, the average farm size in Yarmouth County was approximately 136 acres which was lower than the provincial average of approximately 260 acres. While Yarmouth municipality’s average farm size was higher than the County’s, Argyle municipality’s average fell below.

Table 14: Total Acres and Average Farm Size in Yarmouth County and Nova Scotia, 2011

Average Farm Total Farms Total Acres Size (acres)

Nova Scotia 3,905 1,018,075 260.71

Yarmouth County 91 12384 136.09

Argyle 32 3409 106.53

Yarmouth 59 8975 152.12 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In Yarmouth County, approximately 66% of reporting farms owned less than 129 acres. Indeed, the most common acreage size in Yarmouth was between 10 to 69 acres (30 farms reported). In total, the farms with these acreage sizes accounted for almost 33% of Yarmouth County farms. 14

Table 15: Total Farms by Farm Size Category for Yarmouth County and Nova Scotia

Total Under 10-69 70-129 130-179 180-239 240-399 400-559 560-759 760 acres Farms 10 acres acres acres acres acres acres acres acres and over

Nova Scotia 3,905 406 907 637 317 343 574 302 192 227 Yarmouth County 91 13 30 17 5 8 12 2 4 0 Argyle 32 10 13 1 2 2 2 0 2 0 Yarmouth 59 3 17 16 3 6 10 2 2 0 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

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Bibliography

(2013). Yarmouth County: Profile of Agricultural Land Resources. Retrieved from http://novascotia.ca/agri/documents/business-research/AL1017%20Yarmouth.pdf

Paulmarine.com. (2011). Yarmouth County. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.paulmarine.com/site- uploads/1000367/Images/map1.gif

Statistics Canada. (2011). Farm and farm operator data [Table]. Retrieved from http://www29.statcan.gc.ca/ceag-web/eng/index- index;jsessionid=D68BABE4379BC41D58B112C4B2FAFFB8

Statistics Canada. (2013). Labour force survey estimates [Table 282-0061]. Retrieved from http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a47

Statistics Canada. (2011). Population and dwelling counts [Table]. Retrieved from http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table- Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=304&PR=12&S=51&O=A&RPP=10

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Appendix Map of Yarmouth County

Note: Retrieved from Paulmarine.com, 2011.