ARMS: Large Farms Producing Vegetables & Melons

According to USDA Economic Research Service Report, vegetable production has become increasingly concentrated over time as larger, more efficient farms have garnered a greater share of the domestic market. A new Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) data reveals that a majority of U.S. vegetable output comes from the largest farms.

About 8% of all specialized vegetable and melon farms produced $1 million or more of agricultural commodities per year during 2005-07. These large commercial farms accounted for 87% of the total value of U.S. vegetable production. Given the relatively high per acre values of such crops as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and asparagus, harvested area of these commodities is highly concentrated among farms with more than $1 million in sales per year. ◆