b'E C O N O M YCuster Countys industries are anchored in its abundant natural resources, agriculture, and wildlife, as well as a tourism sector built upon outdoor recreation and sportsmans activities. Major outdoor attractions include three scenic byways, the Frank Church Wilderness of No Return, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Salmon River, Mt. Borah, and the White Cloud, Boulder, Lemhi, and Lost River mountain ranges. The county promotes an old frontier lifestyle while nurturing a small-town atmosphere and entrepreneurial spirit. One of the biggest re-source-based employers is Thompson Creek Mine, a molybdenum mine close to Clayton. The economy also relies heavily on Forest Service and BLM lands, having a makeup of almost 98% Federal- and State-owned land.7AgricultureTotal and Per Farm Overview, 2017 and change since 20122017 % change since 2012Number of farms 267 -2Land in farms (acres) 147,837 +4Average size of farm (acres) 554 +5Percent of county land in farms 4.7%FIGURE 6. Custer County Total Farm Overview 82017 Market Value of Agricultural Products SoldCounties Sales ($1,000) Rank in State Producing ItemTotal36,437 30 44Crops8,624 37 44Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, dry peas2,075 38 42Tobacco- - -Cotton and cottonseed- - -Vegetables, melons, potatoes, sweet potatoes(D) 37 41Fruits, tree nuts, berries- - 37Nursery, greenhouse, \x1boriculture, sod(D) 34 43Cultivated Christmas trees, short rotation woody crops- - 14Other crops and hay6,518 32 44Livestock, poultry, and products27,813 18 44Poultry and eggs(D) (D) 43Cattle and calves23,463 17 44Milk from cows2,298 21 35Hogs and pigs(D) 28 40Sheep, goats, wool, mohair, milk148 26 43Horses, ponies, mules, burros, donkeys99 29 44Aquaculture1,776 5 22Other animals and animal products19 32 42(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (Z) Less than half of the unit shown. (-) Represents zero.FIGURE 7. Custer County Agricultural Market ValuesCUSTER County 351'