USDA ag census shows continued decline in total farms

Counting 7% fewer farms than in 2017, the USDA has announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture.

The report, including more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them, is available online at the USDA website. Ag census data can also be found in the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service's searchable online database, Quick Stats, according to a news release.

The information collected directly from producers shows a continued decline in the total number of U.S. farms, according to the report. Even so, the report shows a rise in the number of new and beginning (operating 10 or fewer years on any farm) as well as young (under the age of 35) producers.

“We are pleased to provide updated Census of Agriculture data to all those who serve U.S. agriculture, especially the producers who gave their time to complete the questionnaire,” NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer said in the release. “This comprehensive snapshot every five years helps data users to see trends and shifts in the industry over time and helps producers do business.”

The release said selected highlights of the 2022 Census of Agriculture include:

• There were 1.9 million farms and ranches (down 7% from 2017) with an average size of 463 acres (up 5%) on 880 million acres of farmland (down 2%). That is 39% of all U.S. land.
• Family-owned and operated farms accounted for 95% of all U.S. farms and operated 84% of land in farms.
• U.S. farms and ranches produced $543 billion in agricultural products, up from $389 billion in 2017. With farm production expenses of $424 billion, U.S. farms had net cash income of $152 billion. Average farm income rose to $79,790. A total of 43% of farms had positive net cash farm income in 2022.
• Farms with internet access continued to rise from 75% in 2017 to 79% in 2022.
• A total of 153,101 farms and ranches used renewable energy-producing systems compared to 133,176 farms in 2017, a 15% increase. The majority of farms (76%) with renewable energy systems reported using solar panels.
• In 2022, 116,617 farms sold directly to consumers, with sales of $3.3 billion. Value of sales increased 16% from 2017.
• The 105,384 farms with sales of $1 million or more were 6% of U.S. farms and 31% of farmland; they sold more than three-fourths of all agricultural products. The 1.4 million farms with sales of $50,000 or less accounted for 74% of farms, 25% of farmland, and 2% of sales.
• Nearly three-fourths of farmland was used by farms specializing in two commodity categories: oilseed and grain production (32%) and beef cattle production (40%).
• The average age of all producers was 58.1, up 0.6 years from 2017. This is a smaller increase than average age increases between prior censuses.
• There were just over 1 million farmers with 10 or fewer years of experience, an increase in the number of beginning farmers from 2017 of 11%. Beginning farmers are younger than all farmers, with an average age of 47.1.
• The number of producers under age 35 was 296,480, comprising 9% of all producers. The 221,233 farms with young producers making decisions tend to be larger than average in both acres and sales.
• In 2022, 1.2 million female producers accounted for 36% of all producers. Fifty-eight percent of all farms had at least one female decision-maker.

The response rate for the 2022 Census of Agriculture was 61%; more than 40% of responses were submitted online, the release said.

“Today’s Census of Agriculture Report underscores it’s imperative that we continue to deliver agriculture policies that create multiple streams of income and new, more competitive models for small and mid-sized farms,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. "A combination of trade wars, the pandemic and policies that furthered a ‘get big or get out’ mentality pushed more people out of farming in the five years since the last Census, than in any other Census period this century. America, and especially our rural communities, cannot afford this trajectory toward larger, but fewer, farms."

“Today’s report is a wake-up call to everyone who plays a role in agriculture policy or who shares an interest in preserving a thriving rural America — we are at a pivotal moment, in which we have the opportunity to hold tight to the status quo and shrink our nation’s agriculture sector further, or we can choose a more expansive, newer model that creates more opportunity, for more farmers," he added.