Agriculture continues to be important to the county economy. More than 900 farms account for about two-thirds of the land in the county. Most farm land in the county is family owned. Each January, the Chamber of Commerce honors a Delaware County Farm Family of the Year.

About 62% of farm income comes from grain. Soybeans are the biggest local cash crop, making up about 29% of the dollar total, followed by 26% in corn. Livestock and dairy farms are less prevalent. Horticulture crops include nursery plant and farm market produce.

Agriculture agencies serving the county include The Ohio State University Extension, the Soil and Water Conservation Service, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and the Farms Home Administration through its Mt. Gilead office.

The Soil and Water conservation District has served the county since 1944. Farm Credit Services and the Federal Land Bank provide credit loans to farmers, as do local credit institutions. The Delaware County Farm Bureau Federation is the major farming organization in the county, with Granges active in some areas. The National Farmers Organization also has a county unit.

At the U.S. Department of Agriculture Laboratories north of Delaware, 20 to 30 scientists are researching tree and plant development, insects and diseases. The U.S.D.A. installation covers 39,000 square feet near the Delaware Reservoir with 30 labs and additional greenhouses. Cur-rent projects include studies of add rain, genetic plant improvements and pest control through biotechnology. 4-H clubs serve Delaware and Delaware County, organized through The Ohio State University Extension. Vocational departments in two county high schools and at the Joint Vocational School offer agricultural education and Future Farmers of America programs.

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