The USDA has reported a significant decline in the number of U.S. farms, according to data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture released in February 2024. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of farms fell by 10%, dropping from 2,109,303 farms in 2012 to 1,900,487 farms in 2022— a reduction of 208,816 farms over the decade.
The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, reveals changes in farm numbers across economic size categories.
Key Findings:
- Smallest Farms Decline the Most: Farms with annual revenue of less than $10,000 experienced the sharpest decline, losing 151,611 farms—a 13% decrease.
- Mid-Sized Farms Shrink: Farms generating between $10,000 to $249,999 in annual revenue declined by 66,666 farms (a 9% drop) over the decade, while farms in the $250,000 to $999,999 range decreased by 16,831 farms (a 10% drop).
- Large Farms on the Rise: In contrast, farms with $1 million or more in annual revenue grew by 32%, increasing from 81,660 farms in 2012 to 107,952 farms in 2022.
While the overall number of farms continues to shrink, this shift highlights the changing dynamics of U.S. agriculture, where smaller operations face ongoing challenges while larger, higher-revenue farms expand their presence.
For pork producers and stakeholders, this data underscores the importance of adaptability and innovation in a rapidly changing industry landscape.
