Farming has always been an important element in the life and economy of Rainford from earliest times when some livestock and a small acreage of arable land were essential for a self sufficient household.

The draining and improvement of large areas of the moss land to the west and east of the village from early in the 18th century increased the usable acreage resulting in larger farms able to produce a surplus to their own requirements which could be sold. 

From the Population Census taken in 1841 we can calculate that 47% of the inhabitants of Rainford depended on agriculture for their livelihood. This does not take account of supporting trades such as blacksmiths, wheelwrights, carters, etc., nor the casual labour employed at busy times.  

Mechanisation of the industry has drastically reduced the numbers employed on the farms which have themselves been reduced in numbers from 84 in the mid 1800's to 29 at the present day. Housing estates, roads, schools etc. have reduced the total area of agricultural land but despite this contraction Rainford is still considered a farming area.