Massachusetts Has a Diverse Mix of Farm Types

What are the predominant farm types in Massachusetts? Massachusetts consists of a very diverse group of farms. If we rank farm types by the numbers of farms, the most predominant type of farm was hay farming with 962 farms or about 16 percent of all Massachusetts farms in 2002. Close behind are horse and other equine production, 961 farms, and greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture, 958 farms, also representing about 16 percent of all Massachusetts farms. Fruit and tree nut farming, which includes the Commonwealth's cranberry growers and orchards, accounted for 811 farms (about 13 percent). Eight percent of the Commonwealth farms are vegetable and melon farms (469 farms). (What does "Other" mean?)