The Most Important Ag Census Number: 257,000 Millennials [Opinion]
June 5, 2014 
The recent release of USDA’s Census of Agriculture shows some interesting trends in the demographic makeup of our nation’s farms and farmers.
We’ll see more specific data on specialty crops later this year, but for now, the numbers we have reflect an overall ag sector that is evolving in some ways, and stagnant in others.
Here’s some of what we know from the 2012 Ag Census:
• 87% of all U.S. farms are operated by families or individuals. That’s a solid base for our industry and a great public image to share.
• 30% of U.S. farming operations — nearly 1 million farms — are operated by women, although that number is flat compared to 2007.
• The number of Hispanic-operated farms grew by 21% since 2007, echoing trends we see in the general population. Hard to imagine this number won’t be even higher in the next Census in 2017.
• Direct-to-consumer sales are growing — 144,530 farm operators reported using that channel in 2012 to the tune of more than $1.3 billion. That’s up 8% from 2007.
• Organic sales grew by an incredible 84% since the last Census — and still accounted for just 0.8% of the total value of U.S. ag production. Organic farmers reported $3.12 billion in sales in 2012, up from $1.7 billion in ’07.
• The number of farms with Internet access rose from 57% in 2007 to 70% in 2012. That’s a positive trend, but it’s disconcerting that nearly one in three farming operations has no access to the most powerful business tool of our generation.
One unsurprising trend is continuing: The graying of the U.S. farmer. Principal operators were 58.3 years old on average in 2012. That’s up a little from 57.1 in 2007 and up a lot from 50.5 in 1982.
There are benefits to experienced leadership in a business, but without a consistent influx of new leaders with fresh perspectives and the energy and ideas to pursue new opportunities, no industry will prosper in the long run.
But if there’s one key number to focus on in the Census, it’s 257,454. That’s the number of Millennial generation farmers in 2012, aged 34 and younger.
While that’s flat from the 2007 Census, it’s a critical figure in that these are the leaders of the next 20 to 30 years for our industry.
It’s one of the reasons American/Western Fruit Grower launched our GenNext Growers program. We believe it’s important to help this next generation develop the skills they will need to lead.
In addition to our regular features for all growers, we’re providing content specifically targeted to younger growers now stepping into leadership roles, either as part of their family’s farms or, in many cases, starting their own operations. You’ll find monthly coverage on these topics in the pages of American/Western Fruit Grower, in our eNewsletters, and on GrowingProduce.com. We’re also working on the launch of a digital educational series for GenNext Growers.
If you’re among this up-and-coming group and want access to information that will help you take your operation — and our industry — to the next level, take just a second and sign up now.
Subscribe Today For
