Santa Barbara County’s agricultural production topped $1.24 billion in 2009, its highest total ever, according to the county agricultural commissioner’s annual crop report.

The report, released April 12, shows a 9.1 percent increase over 2008 in gross value of crops, livestock and other agricultural products. Santa Barbara County ranked 14th in the state in agricultural production.

The county’s top crop was strawberries, at $344.6 million. Broccoli and wine grapes were second and third, and cauliflower and lettuce rounded out the top five.

The full report is available at www.agcommissioner.com.

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