Census of Agriculture Provides Insight on U.S. Farms and Ranches

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The information collected directly from producers shows a continued decline in the total number of U.S. farms. However, the data also show a rise in the number of new and beginning, as well as young (under the age of 35), producers. Ag census data provide valuable insights into demographics, economics, land use and activities on U.S. farms and ranches. The results show that 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. Additionally, the report shows that a total of 43% of farms had positive net cash farm income in 2022.