Covered employment continued to increase in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing division, adding 1,557 jobs in 1997. The division has increased by at least 4 percent each year since 1988. The growth is derived from increased demand for urban landscaping services, domestic pet veterinary services and the shift from non-covered employment to covered employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 44 percent of agricultural employment is covered under the ES202 report on a national basis.

Agricultural Services accounted for 56 percent of both employment and wages in the division and 74 percent of the employment increase. The largest sector within Agricultural Services is Landscape and Horticultural Services. This sector added 882 jobs and 123 establishments in 1997 to average 9,271 and 1,317 respectively. This sector had 6,247 jobs and 945 establishments in 1993. Veterinary Services increased by 22 establishments and 310 jobs after increasing by 27 and 293 respectively the previous year. There was an average of 525 establishments and 3,606 jobs in Veterinary Services in 1997. On an annual average basis, the Farm Labor and Management Services sector declined by 177 jobs to 530.

Employment growth in Agricultural Production Crops slowed considerably in 1997. After posting growth rates of 8 percent in 1994, 5.5 percent in 1995 and 8.2 percent in 1996, the sector only increased by 1.1 percent in 1997. Ornamental Floriculture and Nursery Products makes up 37 percent of this sector with 2,570 of the 6,929 jobs. The second largest sector within production crops is Vegetables and Melons with 1,593 jobs on an annual average basis. Employment in Vegetables and Melons increased by 16 jobs after posting a 219 job increase the previous year. The largest portion of Field Crops, Except for Cash Grains is Irish Potatoes. There were 713 jobs in the Irish Potatoes sector in both 1997 and 1996.

Agricultural Production Livestock and Animal Specialties increased by 325 jobs from the previous year. There was an increase of 451 jobs in Livestock, Except Dairy and Poultry. This sector had 3,350 jobs on average in 1997. About half of the increase was due to a SIC code change from General Farms.

On an annual average basis, there were only 9 establishments and 68 jobs coded under private industry and Forestry in 1997. Fishing, Hunting and Trapping was even less significant with only 3 establishments and 27 jobs.

Note: Hunting Guides are classified under SIC 7999 (Amusement and Recreation Services, Not Elsewhere Classified). Logging is classified under Manufacturing in SIC 2411.