Loss of Mid-Size Family Farms Concerns Ag Secretary

The 2012 Census of Agriculture indicated that the United States is quickly losing mid-sized family farms, and U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is concerned. In early May, he said that, of the 2.1 million farms in the U.S., 68% are smaller than 180 acres and thus likely to be hobby farms or worked by part-time farmers. Vilsack also said the majority of all farmland is contained in operations of 2,000 acres or more, which means fewer people live in those rural areas and contribute to the solid ag base on which small towns and schools rely.

“What’s shrinking is the middle, and that’s what I’m concerned about,” Vilsack stated, adding that he feels the new Farm Bill programs will help rebuild mid-size farms.

But, in an op-ed piece in the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Rita Brhel wrote that the trend toward fewer mid-sized farms reflects high land prices, rather than lack of programs.

“Mega-farmers with 2,000-plus acres can get the ag loans for more land because they have more collateral,” Brhel wrote. “[In some instances] the land is going to be broken up into small properties because people can’t afford to buy them otherwise.” She also concluded that mid-size farms are disappearing because they’re being bought out.

Brhel noted that Vilsack is optimistic about small farms’ potential, particularly in the organic industry and local and regional food systems. She also is encouraged by these findings from the 2012 Ag Census:

• 22% of all farmers were beginning farmers,

• The number of young, beginning farmers increased 11.3%.

• 30% of all farmers were women,

• There was a 21% increase in the number of Latino farmers,

• 70% of all farms had Internet access, up from just over half in 2007,

• There was an 82% increase in organic sales by farms,

• More farmers are selling products directly to consumers, and

• More farms are using renewable energy sources.