USDA census: Smaller farms falling further behind (2024)

FAQs

Why is the number of small farms is decreasing and the number of large commercial farms is increasing? ›

One of the main ways is through competition. As large-scale commercial farms are able to produce crops and livestock at a lower cost due to their economies of scale, they can often sell their products at a lower price than smaller, family-run farms.

The number of farms in the U.S. has continued a steady decline as mounting production expenses allow only the biggest producers to survive. The U.S. had 1.9 million farms and ranches in 2022, a 6.9% decline from 2017, according to data from the Department of Agriculture's census report released Tuesday.

Everyone who receives an ag census form is required by law to fill it out – even if you do not believe you qualify as a farmer. Simply answer what you can and return the form. If you're not a producer, it will take you just a few moments and we will update our records.

Food equals family – 97 percent of the 2.1 million farms in the United States are family-owned operations. Small business matters – 88 percent of all U.S. farms are small family farms.

Regulations, input costs, pandemic changes, trade disruptions, aging operators, and agricultural land development are all pushing out farms.

The most straightforward concern for ag, and some other careers, is low average pay. Workers may be able to earn more money in another field that uses the same skill set. A farmer could go into trucking or sales.

Thriving small-scale farmers and sustainable and inclusive food systems contribute to a brighter future for rural and urban populations alike across the planet. This article also appears on IFAD as part of the Bold Actions for Food as a Force for Good..

The Land Report 100 research team analyzes transactions and scours records to determine America's leading landowners. That's how we broke the news in 2020 that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was America's largest farmland owner with more than 260,000 acres.

Most of the world's farms are small. This study finds that smaller farms have higher yields and biodiversity than larger ones but little difference in greenhouse gas emissions and profits.

While the law provides for penalties for non-response, USDA says they will not fine a producer who does not complete the ag census.

What happens if I don't do the census survey? ›

The census law (Title 13, United States Code, Section 224), coupled with the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (Title 18, Sections 3551, 3559, and 3571), provides for penalties of up to $5,000 for failure to report, and $10,000 for intentionally providing false information.

Participation is mandatory, as described in Title 13 of the U.S. Code. Refusal to respond can result in a fine. However, no one has been prosecuted for failing to respond to the census since the 1970 Census.

China owns 384,000 acres of American agricultural land. That's a 30% increase just since 2019. And on top of that, they own land near an air force base in North Dakota.

Surprisingly, the largest state (Alaska) has even fewer farms than the smallest state (Rhode Island): 1,050 versus 1,100. Rounding out the top five in farm net income per state are Nebraska with $4.1 billion, Iowa with $3.2 billion, and Washington with about $3 billion.

A hobby farm (also called a lifestyle block, acreage living, or rural residential) is a smallholding or small farm that is maintained without expectation of being a primary source of income.

Increased productivity: California farmers have been increasing productivity over time. Although acreage has remained relatively constant, yields and quality of many crops have been growing, and farmers have been shifting to crops that generate more economic value.

The total acreage used in farms dropped about 2.2%. The number of farms in America is shrinking as growers get older and producing crops gets a lot more expensive.

Firstly, commercial agriculture thrives on large-scale production and economies of scale. Farmers can benefit from cost advantages by cultivating extensive tracts of land or raising substantial livestock populations, such as bulk purchasing and efficient mechanization.

This reflects a decades-long trend of consolidation in American agriculture. Small and mid-sized farms are struggling to compete. And if they do go under, larger agriculture operations are often at the ready to buy them up. The businesses that control our food supply have been consolidating for decades.