New Ag Census Data: Farm Loss Slowing- Farmers Older and More Diverse

by Kristina Bostick

The USDA has released its new Ag Census data. MDA highlights a few findings on their website. 

Of note in Maryland, over the past 5 years:

• The oft quoted average age of farmers has increased to 59 years of age, up from 57.
• More women and minorities (particularly Hispanic or Asian folks) are primary farm operators.
• Nearly half of farms are 50 acres or less
• Farmland loss in the state fell from 1.3% to 1% of farms.
• Crop value rose 67%

These trends track with what we see on the ground- the folks that are looking to enter farming as a profession are not necessarily from a farming background and they are often looking for smaller acreage where they can farm table crops. That is why we created our Land Link program- to help expanding or aspiring farmers find the land they need to get started.

Full data will be available in May and will be broken down by county.