In December 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statics Service (NASS) mailed Census of Agriculture forms to farm and ranch operators to collect data for the 2007 calendar year.  Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture, which marks the 27th national measurement of agriculture since the first agriculture census was taken in 1840.

 The 2007 Census counted 2,204,792 farms in the United States, with nearly 300,000 new farms since the last census in 2002.  Compared to all farms nationwide, new farms tended to have more diversified production, fewer acres, lower sales, and younger operators with an occupation other than farming.  The census showed a trend toward more small and very large farms and fewer mid-sized operations.  The census found that of the more than 2 million farms in the United States, 36 percent of operations were classified as residential or lifestyle farms and that 21 percent of operations were retirement farms.

 Closer to home, Missouri continued to rank second only to Texas in the number of agriculture operations.  The census counted 107,825 Missouri farms in 2007, an increase of 1,079 farms since 2002.  The 2007 Census found a trend toward smaller farms in Missouri, with the average size of a Missouri farm decreasing from 283 acres in 2002 to 269 acres in 2007.  The data showed that the market value of production in Missouri reached a record $7.51 billion, a nearly 51 percent increase from 2002.  Crops sales accounted for 47 percent and livestock accounted for 53 percent of total sales in 2007.

 The Census of Agriculture is a component of the economic censuses conducted every five years for the United States.  Because these economic censuses are the basis for many economic decisions by the government, producer organizations, businesses, and educational institutions, those who are a part of each economic sector have an interest in being counted.  Obtaining the most accurate information about American agriculture is important, because the census data will help shape policies that affect farmers and their neighbors.

 The Census of Agriculture data can be found on the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service’s website.  The site provides a comprehensive analysis of agriculture at the national, state, and county level.  Producers may also find valuable information and answers to their questions by calling the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540.  For more information about Missouri agriculture, producers may call 800-551-1014.

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