RIVERSIDE -- Farm production in Riverside County rose 0.3 percent to a record $1.27 billion last year, despite the ongoing drought, recession and decline in building, which affects sales of ornamental trees and bushes.

In a recently released report, the county agricultural commissioner said strong prices for lemons, bell peppers, eggs and hay more than offset the declining value of nursery stock, which boomed during the county's house-building frenzy.

"Despite ever-changing economic, cultural and market-driven challenges, agriculture in Riverside County remains resilient, diverse and viable," agriculture commissioner John Snyder said.

Even in the face of the construction slowdown, nursery stock retained its spot as the top-valued crop in the county. Sales totaled $230 million, off 15 percent from the prior year.

Milk production also declined, slumping nearly 15 percent to almost $188 million.

The other top crops and their change from 2007:

- Eggs, up almost 22 percent to $111 million.

- Hay rose 27 percent to $88 million.

- Table grapes fell 11 percent to almost $93 million; wine grape production totaled $4.5 million up from $4 million.

And the wine grape industry hopes to grow, making Wine Country a bigger tourist destination. But many wine grape plots in the county are small, such as the 1 1/4-acre parcel farmed by Jerry Bashe of Temecula. His crop last year was a bust, but he says his vines are doing well this year.

"The quality looks good," he said, adding he was "enthusiastic" about this year's crop.

Marlene and Gary Woodworth also are expecting a good harvest this year of wine grapes and avocados from their 40 acres in De Luz.

"Every year gets better and better," said Marlene Woodworth, who added that their crops last year suffered from a variety of challenges -- water, insect pests and weather -- that make farming such a gamble.

In its pages of figures, the annual farm report suggests changes in peoples' dietary habits.

For instance, more acreage is being devoted to oriental vegetables, spring potatoes, and herbs and spices.

Persimmon acreage in the county more than doubled, rising from 15 acres in 2007 to 32 last year. The U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services touts the glossy, orange-skinned fruit as "an excellent source of vitamin A, a good source of vitamin C and rich in fiber." In Riverside County, much of the fruit is sold at roadside stands and farmers markets.

Avocado production fell, however, as ranchers took out some trees because of concerns they could not get enough water or it would be too expensive. Total acreage devoted to the green fruit fell by 156 acres to 8,036.

Meanwhile, fish farming rose from almost $10 million in 2007 to $12 million last year. Tilapia was the leading species raised, followed by catfish. Most of the county's fish farms are in the Coachella Valley, which remained by far the most productive farming zone in Riverside County, with total receipts for the year of $504 million. Farm receipts for the southwestern part of the county totaled $165 million or about 18 percent of the county's total.

In an economy where the jobless rate is rising, retail sales are falling and foreclosures are expected to jump again, the farm report comes as a beacon of hope. Moreover, demand for county farm products will rise if more free trade agreements are reached with other countries, county officials say.

Last year, county-grown fruits, vegetables and other farm products were exported to 58 countries, said Tom Freeman, commissioner of the county Office of Foreign Trade, a unit of the county Economic Development Agency. Only 20 of these countries had free-trade agreements with the United States; the agreements lower tariffs and other costs and thus stimulate trade.

All of the figures in the county agriculture report are gross and may or may not reflect profit or loss to the farmer. Nonetheless, the receipts to growers ripple through the economy, creating what economists call a multiplier effect. Snyder reckons that each dollar received by farmers generates a financial impact of 3 1/2 times that amount as the money is invested or spent on goods and services.

Call staff writer Jeff Rowe at 951-676-4315, ext. 2621.

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