About Morgan County Agriculture and Natural Resources

Located in the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio, 80 miles from Columbus, Morgan County was created on December 29, 1817 and organized in 1819. Formed from parts of Guernsey, Muskingum and Washington Counties, this rural (2000 census - 14,897) county has 269,888 acres. Farms make up 99,000 of those acres and the balance is forests. According to the Soil Survey of Morgan County, Ohio, woodland is the major land use in the county. Eastern parts of the county have been taken out of production for surface mining coal, and have been reclaimed and planted to forages and trees. Agriculture is very important to the county. In 2007, over 11 million dollars was generated, with cattle and calves generating the most income ($4.8 million). Dairy followed with $2.6 million and "other crops" including fruit, vegetables and flowers finished third. There are 490 farms in the county averaging 202 acres. As of 2008, there were 16,100 cows and calves; 1300 milk cows; 3,200 hogs and pigs; and 1,100 stock sheep.