QUARTERLY Employment in the Agriculture industry rose 35.3% over the preceding quarter adding 9217 workers. Typically, with the start of the growing season employment in Agriculture Services (07) blossoms. This quarter Agriculture Services added 6561 employees constituting about 70% of the industry growth. Within Agriculture Services, Landscape & Horticulture Services grew by 6086 due to seasonal demand for lawn maintenance service and landscaping projects. Work supporting crop growers added 353 to Farm Labor & Management Services. Crop Services fell by 85 as most of the potato sorting and packing was completed. Agri Prod-Crops (01) saw the second largest employment gain, up 2462 employees. Horticulture Specialties was the largest expanding component seasonally adding 1182. Staff expansions to cover greenhouse flower production for Mother’s Day along with increases for nursery and bedding stock production for the summer added the employment. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) added 147 due mainly to seasonal expansions in cattle ranches. ANNUAL Agriculture employment grew 6.8% and added 2263 employees. Agriculture Services (07) remained the key component in industry growth increasing by 1802 employees over a year ago second quarter. Increased demand for lawn and garden services and landscaping brought about by an aging and convenience oriented population added 1298. Another 475 were added due to the expansion of existing service and the addition of new businesses specializing in the care and treatment of pets. Employment in Agri Prod-Crops (01) rose by 415 employees. The production of nursery items expanded adding 278. Employment in Fruit & Tree Nuts was up by 71 as a result of a spring devoid of late frosts. Second quarter of 1999 experienced low employment when a late frost ruined much of the western slope fruit. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) added 59 employees. Increased hiring at existing dairy farms and the addition of a couple of new farms added 74. Forestry (08) was the only sector to decline over the year falling by 16. SIC changes moving about 35 to Horticulture Specialties covered the loss.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Second Quarter 2000
