Agriculture in the Manche department ranks it second nationally, after the Marne. The region's economy relies on four pillars: milk, beef, early vegetables, and seafood. 71% of the department is devoted to agricultural activities, that is to say 1,055,139 acres (427,000 ha) out of 1,381,319 acres (599,000 ha). Organic farming also makes Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) the 8th region nationwide in terms of organic farms.