Agriculture remains a foundational part of Ferndale's regional identity, even as the city proper urbanizes. The fertile soil of the Nooksack River valley has long supported extensive dairy operations, which were historically the backbone of the local farm economy.
Today, Whatcom County is one of the top producers of red raspberries in the United States, and fields of raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries surround Ferndale. The area also produces seed potatoes, corn, and forage crops for livestock. There is a growing local movement toward organic farming, sustainable agriculture, and direct-to-consumer farm stands, which operate heavily during the summer harvest months.