An Introduction to the 2022 Census of Agriculture
In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, spanning more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them down to the county level. Agricultural Census data provide information about demographics, economics, land use and activities on U.S. farms and ranches and are used in analyses by Federal agencies and researchers across the United States. The April CFARE webinar provides an overview of the 2022 Census of Agriculture and presents two studies that have used the data in research of interest to the Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics community.
Bryan Combs – The Ag Census Counts
Bryan Combs provides an insightful overview of the recently released Census of Agriculture, offering a wealth of data and insights into the state of farming and ranching in the United States. With over 6 million data points published initially and millions more to come in subsequent releases, the Census of Agriculture is a comprehensive examination of virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture. Covering land use, production practices, expenditures, and more, the census provides a complete count of the nation's farms and ranches, shedding light on critical factors that impact agricultural operations in the 21st century. This year marked the 30th iteration of the census, demonstrating its enduring importance in visualizing and understanding the evolving landscape of agriculture at national, state, and county levels.
Despite a slight decrease in response rate compared to 2017, the census remains a vital tool for understanding the agricultural sector's dynamics. With meticulous attention to detail, Combs delves into various aspects of the census, including changes in the number and size of farms, patterns of land use, shifts in agricultural production values, and demographic trends among farm producers. The census not only highlights the disparities in agricultural production across different regions but also underscores the significant economic contributions of the sector. As additional products from the 2022 Census of Agriculture are set to be released, including congressional district profiles, the data promises to offer policymakers, researchers, and the general public invaluable insights into the state of American agriculture and its implications for the future.
Anil K. Giri – Uses of Census of Agriculture Data for Research
Anil K. Giri shares a comprehensive overview of the Census of Agriculture data during his presentation, highlighting its importance in understanding various facets of farming operations across the United States. By showcasing research outputs published by ERS researchers, Giri underscores the census data's role in elucidating socioeconomic characteristics, financial dynamics, and trends within the agricultural sector. The census's ability to provide granular, county-level insights enables researchers to conduct detailed analyses, facilitating a deeper understanding of agricultural trends and informing policy decisions.
Giri presents examples of journal articles, economic research reports, and charts of notes authored by ERS researchers, illustrating the wide-ranging applications and extensive utility of census data in agricultural research and policymaking. With a focus on data-driven insights, Giri's presentation underscores the critical role of the Census of Agriculture in providing comprehensive, reliable data for understanding the evolving landscape of farming in the United States.
Ani Katchova – Statistics and Research on New and Beginning Producers using Census of Agriculture Data
Ani Katchova provides insights into the challenges faced by new and beginning producers in the agricultural sector, particularly concerning access to farmland and financial resources. Through her analysis of census data, Katchova demonstrates that while the number of farms with beginning producers has increased slightly, there's a concerning trend of declining farm numbers overall. She emphasizes the importance of understanding entry and exit rates in agriculture, revealing surprising findings such as both young and older producers entering and exiting the industry. Additionally, Katchova's research highlights the farmland growth patterns of young farmers, showing significant increases in acreage operated within a decade of entering agriculture, contrasting with the relatively stagnant growth among older farmers.
Utilizing census data, Katchova emphasizes the significance of tracking farm and producer characteristics, especially for beginning farmers, and underscores the importance of microdata for conducting in-depth research on agricultural trends. Her presentation offers valuable insights into the dynamics of farm expansion and the challenges faced by new entrants in the agricultural sector, providing essential knowledge for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to support the next generation of farmers.
This program is supported in part by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Those who register but cannot attend our webinar can always view a recording of it later at the council’s YouTube channel.