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Ag census: Number of farms on the rise

By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The record number of U.S. farmers participating in the 2007 Census of Agriculture will soon see a return on their investment, according to the results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture, released Feb. 4 by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

“The true value of the Census of Agriculture is in the information it provides,” said NASS Deputy Administrator Carol House. “The Census charts trends in agriculture over time and provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive data for every county in the nation.

“The information provided from the Census is really the voice of our nation’s farmers and ranchers,” she said. “They took the time to tell us about what’s happening in agriculture on a local and national level. That voice will be heard by policymakers and other agricultural stakeholders now and in the years ahead.”

Conducted every five years, the Census of Agriculture provides facts and figures on virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture, including number and types of farm operations, the economic aspects of farm production and the demographics of U.S. farm operators. “The Census of Agriculture is a valuable tool that provides the general public with an accurate and comprehensive view of American agriculture,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “It’s also a set of benchmarks against which this Department must measure and demonstrate its performance to agriculture and the taxpayer.”

According to the 2007 Census results, the number of U.S. farms has grown 4 percent, while becoming more diverse over the past five years.
The 2007 Census counted 2,204,792 farms in the United States, a net increase of 75,810 farms, with nearly 300,000 new farms starting operations since the last census in 2002. The 2007 Census also indicated that the number of U.S. farms had been on a declining trend since World War II, but has now leveled off, with a net increase of 75,810 farms.

Compared to all farms nationwide, the USDA said these new farms had more diversified production, fewer acres, lower sales and younger operators who also work off-farm.

In the last five years, the 2007 Census indicated that U.S. farm operators have also become more demographically diverse, counting nearly 30 percent more women as principal farm operators, while Hispanic operators grew by 10 percent, and American Indian, Asian and Black farm operators increasing as well.
The USDA said the latest census figures show a continuation in the trend towards more small and very large farms and fewer mid-sized operations. Between 2002 and 2007, the number of farms with sales of less than $2,500 increased by 74,000. The number of farms with sales of more than $500,000 grew by 46,000 during the same period.

Census results also show that the majority of U.S. farms are smaller operations. More than 36 percent are classified as residential/lifestyle farms, with sales of less than $250,000 and operators with a primary occupation other than farming. “Between 2002 and 2007, the number of farms with sales of less than $1,000 increased by 118,000,” the Census report added. “The number of farms with sales of more than $500,000 grew by 46,000 during the same period.”

The Census indicated that U.S. farms that began operation between 2003 and 2007 tended to be smaller and have lower sales than all farms nationwide. New farms, on average, had 201 acres of land and $71,000 in sales. By comparison, the average for all farms in the United Stated was 418 acres and $135,000 in sales.

More Iowa farms

In Iowa, the numbers of farms grew from 90,655 in 2002 to 92,856 in 2007, with Sioux County having the largest number of farms (1,664), as well as the highest value of production. But the number of acres of Iowa farmland dropped from 31,729,490 in 2002 to 30,747,550 in 2007.

“The Census of Agriculture is a great opportunity to see the importance of Iowa agriculture and the vital role it plays in our state,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

“With nearly $20 billion in sales from crops and livestock, it is still an important driver in the state’s economy. It is also encouraging to see that the number of farms has increased 2 percent since 2002.”

In Indiana, the number of farms increased from 60,296 in 2002 to 60,938 in 2007, with farmland decreasing from 15,058,670 acres in 2002 to 14,773,184 in 2007.

Illinois increased its farm numbers by more than 3,800 from 73,027 in 2002 to 76,860 in 2007.

In addition, Michigan increased its number of farms from 53,315 in 2002 to 56,014 in 2007. Ohio decreased its farm numbers from 77,797 in 2002 to 75,861 in 2007.

While the number of Kentucky farms decreased from 86,541 in 2002 to 85,260 in 2007, its acres of farmland increased from 13,843,706 in 2002 to 13,993,121 in 2007.

The number of Tennessee farms dropped dramatically from 87,595 in 2002 to 79,280 in 2007. Its farmland also dropped from 11,681,533 acres in 2002 to 10,969,798 in 2007.

The 2007 Census also found that 57 percent of all farmers have internet access, up from 50 percent in 2002. For the first time in 2007, the census looked at high-speed Internet access, with 58 percent reporting having a high-speed connection.

For more information on the 2007 Census results, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 800-727-9540.

2/11/2009