Uncle Sam Wants You… Farmers to Sign Up for Ag Census

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Agricultural Leaders Ask Farmers to Sign Up and Be Counted in the 2012 Census of Agriculture

Washington, June 7, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to mail the 2012 Census of Agriculture to millions of U.S. farmers and ranchers in late December. The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Federal and state agricultural leaders are reminding producers, through a public service announcement campaign, not to miss their opportunity to be counted by signing up for the Census before July 1.
“Local and national leaders use the Census to make decisions that directly impact your business, your community and your industry,” explain the leaders. “Whether you’re farming four thousand acres or just four, it’s important. Every voice counts.”

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There were 2,204,000 farms counted by the US Census of Agriculture in 2007, 4% more than in 2002.  Most of the gain came from small operators or very large operators.

A farm is any place from
which $1,000 or more
of agricultural products
were, or normally would
be, produced and sold
during the Census year.

Only 45% of farm operators nationwide listed farming as their primary occupation.  The state of Missouri counted the largest number of farms, over 107,000. Texas had the most land in farms (and ranches) at 130 million acres.

I wonder how many farms will be counted in 2012?

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