United States AgricultureUnited States Agriculture

AGST 3000AGST 3000Agriculture, Society and the Agriculture, Society and the

Natural WorldNatural World

Facts about American AgricultureFacts about American Agriculture

Today, agriculture (the entire food and fiber industry) accounts Today, agriculture (the entire food and fiber industry) accounts for 13% of America’s worth. for 13% of America’s worth.

The food and fiber industry generates approximately The food and fiber industry generates approximately 2020 percent of our nation’s Gross National Product and percent of our nation’s Gross National Product and 2020 percent percent of our national employment. of our national employment.

Production alone (farms) added $82 billion to the GDP (Gross Production alone (farms) added $82 billion to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product)Domestic Product)

17% of the American workforce, or 25 million jobs, were 17% of the American workforce, or 25 million jobs, were involved in some phase of agriculture, either growing, involved in some phase of agriculture, either growing, processing or distributing... making the food and fiber system processing or distributing... making the food and fiber system the the nation’s largest employernation’s largest employer..

U.S. Ag ExportsU.S. Ag Exports

U.S. agricultural exports (excluding fish U.S. agricultural exports (excluding fish and forestry products) totaled $51.6 billion and forestry products) totaled $51.6 billion dollars and generated an additional $116 dollars and generated an additional $116 billion in business.billion in business.

Eight states had exports of $1 billion or Eight states had exports of $1 billion or moremore

TrendsTrends

Direct sales to consumers increased 37 Direct sales to consumers increased 37 percent from 1997, totaling $812.2 million percent from 1997, totaling $812.2 million in 2002. in 2002.

The value of organically produced The value of organically produced commodities reached $392.8 million in commodities reached $392.8 million in 2002. 2002.

Number of U.S. FarmsNumber of U.S. Farms

Number of Farms and AcresNumber of Farms and Acres

There are 2.7 million farms in United States. The There are 2.7 million farms in United States. The average farm size is 469 acres. average farm size is 469 acres.

There are more than 972 million acres of There are more than 972 million acres of farmland nationwide. farmland nationwide.

Crops are harvested from approximately 296 Crops are harvested from approximately 296 million acres of farmland in the United States. million acres of farmland in the United States.

The remaining farmland is used for grazing, The remaining farmland is used for grazing, timber and other agricultural uses. timber and other agricultural uses.

Farms in the United StatesFarms in the United States

Where are our farms distributed?Where are our farms distributed?

Types of Agricultural ActivityTypes of Agricultural Activity

The American FarmerThe American Farmer

The American farm population is only 1.9 The American farm population is only 1.9 percent of the total population. percent of the total population.

One U.S. farmer feeds 129 people, 101 in One U.S. farmer feeds 129 people, 101 in the United States and 28 abroad. the United States and 28 abroad.

Trend in Ag Labor ForceTrend in Ag Labor Force

Family workers, including farm operators and Family workers, including farm operators and unpaid workers, make up approximately 64 unpaid workers, make up approximately 64 percent of all farm labor.percent of all farm labor.

Only 0.4 percent of farms are owned by non-Only 0.4 percent of farms are owned by non-family corporations.family corporations.

Corporate FarmsCorporate Farms

The number of corporate farms declined The number of corporate farms declined by 18.4 percent from 1997 to 2002, which by 18.4 percent from 1997 to 2002, which reverses a trend that has continued reverses a trend that has continued without interruption since 1974. without interruption since 1974.

Ninety percent of farms are operated Ninety percent of farms are operated by an individual or family. by an individual or family.

A.A. The estimated market value of land and buildings on the The estimated market value of land and buildings on the Nation’s farms rose 24 percent from 1997 to 2002. Nation’s farms rose 24 percent from 1997 to 2002.

B.B. The average value per farm increased by over $100,000 The average value per farm increased by over $100,000 during the five-year period, reaching an average of $537,833 during the five-year period, reaching an average of $537,833 in 2002. in 2002.

C.C. The average value of land and buildings per acre is up more The average value of land and buildings per acre is up more than $200 during that same time period to $1,213 per acre in than $200 during that same time period to $1,213 per acre in 2002. 2002.

Farm Income vs Government PaymentsFarm Income vs Government Payments

In 2002…In 2002…

The average total annual sales per farm in the The average total annual sales per farm in the U.S. is $84,459 and expenses average $67,928. U.S. is $84,459 and expenses average $67,928.

A total of 333,865 farms have sales of more than A total of 333,865 farms have sales of more than $1 million, accounting for 17 percent of all farms, $1 million, accounting for 17 percent of all farms, but 83 percent of total sales. but 83 percent of total sales.

What is this figure today?What is this figure today?

Is there any $$$ in Farming?Is there any $$$ in Farming?

What are the costs in farming?What are the costs in farming?

Who receives the Ag $$$$ ?Who receives the Ag $$$$ ?

The American farmer receives 22 cents of The American farmer receives 22 cents of every dollar in agricultural products sold. every dollar in agricultural products sold.

Of the balance, over 55 cents goes to Of the balance, over 55 cents goes to labor, taxes and interest, and product labor, taxes and interest, and product packaging.packaging.

The remainder goes to fuel, electricity, rent The remainder goes to fuel, electricity, rent and other miscellaneous expenses.and other miscellaneous expenses.

Average Age of the OperatorsAverage Age of the Operators

In 2002, the average age of principal farm or In 2002, the average age of principal farm or ranch operators was 55.3-years-old compared to ranch operators was 55.3-years-old compared to 54-years-old in 1997. 54-years-old in 1997.

But, for the first time, NASS collected But, for the first time, NASS collected information about more than one operator on the information about more than one operator on the same farm. same farm.

2002 results showed an average age of second 2002 results showed an average age of second operators at 49.4-years-old and third operators operators at 49.4-years-old and third operators at 41.9-years-old. at 41.9-years-old.

The Aging of AgricultureThe Aging of Agriculture

Who operates the farm?Who operates the farm?

The are 237,819 farms operated by The are 237,819 farms operated by women in the United States. women in the United States.

Top 5 StatesTop 5 States

The top five states in value of agricultural The top five states in value of agricultural products sold are: (2004)products sold are: (2004)

California ($31.8 billion)California ($31.8 billion) Texas ($16.5 billion)Texas ($16.5 billion) Iowa ($14.7 billion)Iowa ($14.7 billion) Nebraska ($11.8 billion)Nebraska ($11.8 billion) Minnesota ($9.8 billion)Minnesota ($9.8 billion)

Top Three CountiesTop Three Counties