United States

Department of

Agriculture

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

Sp Sy 3 (01)a

Farms and

Land in Farms

February 2001
 Update Alert 

The Average Size Farm by State table on Page 13 was 

 corrected. Changes were made to 1999 for Kentucky, 

 Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, 

 and South Carolina. 
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 1 NASS, USDA

Released February 23, 2001, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of

Agriculture. For information on "Farms and Land in Farms" call Daryl Brinkman at 202-690-3226, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

Farms and Ranches Decline in 2000

The number of farms and ranches in the United States in 2000 is estimated at 2.17 million, down 0.9 percent from

1999. The decline in farms and ranches occurred primarily in agricultural operations with less than $10,000 in

sales. This is the largest decline in farms and ranches since 1991 when just over 29,000 operations were lost. 

Total land in farms, at 943.0 million acres, declined 0.5 percent or 4.4 million acres from last year. The average

size of farm increased 2 acres from 432 acres in1999 to 434 acres in 2000.

The U.S. number of agricultural operations in the economic sales class $1,000-$9,999 declined 1.7 percent to

1,173,650 in 2000. Farms and ranches with sales in the $10,000-$99,999 economic class increased slightly from

1999 to 649,350 operations while the number of farms and ranches with sales over $100,000 rose 0.1% to

349,080. The impact of adverse weather, lower commodity prices, and competition for land contributed to the

overall reduction and consolidation of farms and ranches during 2000. 

The North Central Region’s loss of farms was the largest with a decline of 9,200 operations, 1.1% less than was

estimated in 1999. The South Region lost 7,000 farms and ranches, 0.8% fewer than the previous year. The

number of farms and ranches declined 2,690 or 0.9% in the West Region and 1,100 or 0.8% in the Northeast

Region. 

The number of farms and ranches during 2000 declined in 27 States, remained unchanged in 19 States, and

increased in 4 States. States losing 1,000 or more farms during the year were Alabama, California, Florida,

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina,

South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Of the four States showing increases in the number of farms

and ranches, only Oklahoma increased significantly, adding 1,000 operations. 

Texas, although losing 500,000 acres of farm and ranch land in 2000, continues to lead the Nation with 130

million acres in farms and ranches. Other States showing significant decreases in agricultural acreage were

Arizona (800,000 acres), New Mexico (700,000 acres), Mississippi (300,000 acres), and Montana (300,000

acres). Overall, farm and ranch acreage declined in 20 States, remained unchanged in 29 States, and increased in

1 State.

Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Size Farm:

United States, 1990-2000 1

Year Number

of Farms

Land

in Farms

Average

Farm Size

Number 1,000 Acres Acres

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2,145,820

2,116,760

2,107,840

2,201,590

2,197,690

2,196,400

2,190,500

2,190,510

2,191,360

2,192,070

2,172,080

986,850

981,736

978,503

968,845

965,935

962,515

958,675

956,010

953,500

947,440

942,990

460

464

464

440

440

438

438

436

435

432

434

1 A farm is any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would normally be sold during the

year.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 2 NASS, USDA
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 3 NASS, USDA

Percent of Farms and Land in Farms for Places with Less Than $1,000 of

Reported Sales, but with Sufficient Crops and Livestock to Normally

Have Sales of at least $1,000, United States, 1998-2000 

Year

Percent of Total

Farms Land

1998 14.5 1.5

1999 15.5 2.0

2000 14.5 2.0
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 4 NASS, USDA

Number of Farms: By State and United States, 1998-2000

State 1998 1999 2000

Number Number Number

AL

AK

AZ

AR

CA

CO

CT

DE

FL

GA

HI

ID

IL

IN

IA

KS

KY

LA

ME

MD

MA

MI

MN

MS

MO

MT

NE

NV

NH

NJ

NM

NY

NC

ND

OH

OK

OR

PA

RI

SC

SD

TN

TX

UT

VT

VA

WA

WV

WI

WY

US

49,000

560

7,800

49,500

89,000

29,500

4,100

2,700

45,000

50,000

5,500

24,500

79,000

66,000

97,000

65,000

90,000

30,000

6,900

12,500

6,000

52,000

80,000

42,000

110,000

27,500

55,000

3,000

3,100

9,600

16,000

38,000

58,000

31,000

80,000

83,000

39,500

60,000

700

25,000

32,500

91,000

226,000

15,000

6,700

49,000

40,000

21,000

78,000

9,200

2,191,360

48,000

570

7,700

48,500

89,000

29,000

4,000

2,600

45,000

50,000

5,500

24,500

79,000

65,000

96,000

65,000

91,000

30,000

6,900

12,400

6,100

53,000

80,000

43,000

110,000

28,000

55,000

3,000

3,100

9,600

15,500

39,000

58,000

30,500

80,000

84,000

40,500

59,000

700

25,000

32,500

91,000

227,000

15,500

6,700

49,000

40,000

20,500

78,000

9,200

2,192,070

47,000

580

7,500

48,000

87,500

29,000

3,900

2,600

44,000

50,000

5,700

24,500

78,000

64,000

95,000

64,000

90,000

29,500

6,800

12,400

6,100

52,000

79,000

43,000

109,000

27,600

54,000

3,000

3,100

9,600

15,200

38,000

57,000

30,300

80,000

85,000

40,000

59,000

700

24,000

32,500

90,000

226,000

15,500

6,800

49,000

40,000

20,500

77,000

9,200

2,172,080
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 5 NASS, USDA

Land in Farms: By State and United States, 1998-2000

State 1998 1999 2000

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres

AL

AK

AZ

AR

CA

CO

CT

DE

FL

GA

HI

ID

IL

IN

IA

KS

KY

LA

ME

MD

MA

MI

MN

MS

MO

MT

NE

NV

NH

NJ

NM

NY

NC

ND

OH

OK

OR

PA

RI

SC

SD

TN

TX

UT

VT

VA

WA

WV

WI

WY

US

9,500

910

28,100

14,750

28,500

32,200

380

580

10,600

11,300

1,440

12,000

27,800

15,600

33,000

47,500

13,800

8,200

1,270

2,150

570

10,400

28,900

11,600

30,100

57,500

46,400

6,900

420

830

45,300

7,800

9,400

39,500

14,900

34,000

17,200

7,700

60

4,900

44,000

11,900

131,500

11,600

1,340

8,800

15,700

3,700

16,400

34,600

953,500

9,200

910

27,500

14,650

27,800

31,800

370

580

10,400

11,200

1,440

11,900

27,700

15,500

33,000

47,500

13,600

8,150

1,270

2,100

570

10,400

28,800

11,400

30,100

57,000

46,400

6,800

420

830

44,700

7,800

9,300

39,400

14,900

34,000

17,200

7,700

60

4,850

44,000

11,900

130,500

11,600

1,340

8,700

15,700

3,600

16,300

34,600

947,440

9,000

920

26,700

14,600

27,800

31,600

360

580

10,300

11,100

1,440

11,900

27,700

15,500

32,800

47,500

13,600

8,100

1,270

2,100

570

10,400

28,600

11,100

30,000

56,700

46,400

6,800

420

830

44,000

7,700

9,200

39,400

14,900

34,000

17,200

7,700

60

4,700

44,000

11,700

130,000

11,600

1,340

8,700

15,700

3,600

16,200

34,600

942,990
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 6 NASS, USDA

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 2000

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

Number Number Number Number

Northeast

 CT 2

 ME 2

 MA 2

 NH 2

 NJ 2

 NY

 PA

 RI 2

 VT 2

 Oth Sts 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL

 AR

 DE 2

 FL

 GA

 KY

 LA

 MD 2

 MS

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 WV 2

 Other States 3

 Total

West

 AK 2

 AZ 2

 CA

 CO

 HI 2

 ID

 MT

 NV 2

 NM

 OR

 UT

 WA

 WY 2

 Other States 4

 Total

US

2,450

4,300

3,300

2,100

6,400

18,400

33,000

350

3,700

74,000

28,000

29,700

27,000

23,100

27,500

30,000

62,000

13,500

8,500

43,000

7,000

34,500

333,800

33,000

26,000

800

28,500

32,600

51,000

18,500

5,900

31,000

34,000

52,500

17,700

68,000

153,000

32,000

17,000

601,500

350

4,500

43,500

14,000

3,400

12,500

10,400

1,600

9,500

26,500

9,000

25,700

3,400

164,350

1,173,650

11,200

16,500

10,300

38,000

26,000

22,000

38,000

27,200

16,500

29,000

36,600

22,000

13,100

27,000

15,300

24,500

297,200

9,000

12,000

10,500

9,900

33,000

6,600

7,400

13,000

26,500

4,000

18,000

56,000

14,000

7,320

227,220

25,000

10,100

7,200

10,800

4,100

9,000

5,000

7,500

8,230

86,930

649,350

8,400

9,500

4,100

22,000

24,000

12,300

30,000

13,700

8,000

20,000

10,400

18,500

8,700

10,000

10,200

18,000

183,800

5,000

10,000

5,000

7,500

6,000

4,400

4,600

10,000

6,000

2,300

4,000

17,000

3,000

4,480

89,280

19,000

4,900

4,800

6,400

1,600

4,500

1,500

6,800

4,500

54,000

349,080

3,900

6,800

6,100

3,100

9,600

38,000

59,000

700

6,800

134,000

78,000

64,000

95,000

64,000

52,000

79,000

109,000

54,000

30,300

80,000

32,500

77,000

814,800

47,000

48,000

2,600

44,000

50,000

90,000

29,500

12,400

43,000

57,000

85,000

24,000

90,000

226,000

49,000

20,500

918,000

580

7,500

87,500

29,000

5,700

24,500

27,600

3,000

15,200

40,000

15,500

40,000

9,200

305,280

2,172,080 1 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 DE, MD, and WV. 4 AK, AZ, HI, NV, and WY.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 7 NASS, USDA

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 2000

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres

Northeast

 CT 2

 ME 2

 MA 2

 NH 2

 NJ 2

 NY

 PA

 RI 2

 VT 2

 Oth Sts 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL

 AR

 DE 2

 FL

 GA

 KY

 LA

 MD 2

 MS

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 WV 2

 Other States 3

 Total

West

 AK 2

 AZ 2

 CA

 CO

 HI 2

 ID

 MT

 NV 2

 NM

 OR

 UT

 WA

 WY 2

 Other States 4

 Total

US

130

450

230

200

190

1,800

2,100

20

350

5,470

1,700

1,300

1,700

2,800

1,900

3,000

7,200

1,800

3,400

2,900

2,000

2,800

32,500

3,500

2,100

33

1,800

2,900

3,700

1,700

365

3,500

2,000

6,700

2,500

4,400

21,000

2,400

2,300

60,898

210

1,900

2,800

3,800

106

1,500

4,300

1,000

4,700

1,700

1,100

2,600

3,100

28,816

127,684

2,200

2,400

1,300

5,900

5,600

3,900

9,400

15,500

2,800

8,500

11,500

11,800

13,800

4,800

14,400

4,700

106,700

2,800

3,400

2,500

2,500

5,800

1,900

2,500

1,800

14,800

1,100

4,000

48,000

3,900

1,607

96,607

7,000

10,200

3,300

16,400

11,700

4,800

2,800

2,700

17,985

76,885

286,092

3,700

3,200

1,980

8,880

20,400

10,300

21,700

29,200

5,700

17,100

11,300

32,800

22,200

7,200

27,600

8,700

214,200

2,700

9,100

6,000

5,700

4,100

4,500

5,100

5,400

12,500

1,100

3,300

61,000

2,400

1,975

124,875

18,000

17,600

7,100

36,000

27,600

10,700

7,700

10,400

46,159

181,259

529,214

360

1,270

570

420

830

7,700

7,700

60

1,340

20,250

27,700

15,500

32,800

47,500

10,400

28,600

30,000

46,400

39,400

14,900

44,000

16,200

353,400

9,000

14,600

580

10,300

11,100

13,600

8,100

2,100

11,100

9,200

34,000

4,700

11,700

130,000

8,700

3,600

282,380

920

26,700

27,800

31,600

1,440

11,900

56,700

6,800

44,000

17,200

11,600

15,700

34,600

286,960

942,990 1 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 DE, MD, and WV. 4 AK, AZ, HI, NV, and WY.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 8 NASS, USDA

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1999

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

Number Number Number Number

Northeast

 CT 2

 ME 2

 MA 2

 NH 2

 NJ 2

 NY

 PA

 RI 2

 VT 2

 Oth Sts 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL

 AR

 DE 2

 FL

 GA

 KY

 LA

 MD 2

 MS

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 WV 2

 Other States 3

 Total

West

 AK 2

 AZ 2

 CA

 CO

 HI 2

 ID

 MT

 NV 2

 NM

 OR

 UT

 WA

 WY 2

 Other States 4

 Total

US

2,550

4,400

3,300

2,100

6,400

19,400

33,000

350

3,600

75,100

28,500

30,200

28,000

24,400

28,500

30,500

63,100

14,000

8,400

43,000

7,000

35,000

340,600

34,000

26,500

800

29,500

32,600

52,000

19,000

6,200

31,000

35,000

52,600

18,700

69,000

155,000

33,000

17,000

611,900

340

4,700

44,500

13,700

3,200

12,500

11,500

1,600

9,600

27,000

9,000

25,700

3,400

166,740

1,194,340

10,900

16,500

9,700

37,100

26,500

22,000

38,100

27,200

16,500

29,500

36,700

22,600

13,500

27,000

15,300

25,000

299,900

9,000

11,500

10,500

9,700

33,000

6,600

7,500

13,000

25,500

4,000

18,000

55,500

13,000

7,320

224,120

25,500

10,400

7,200

10,700

4,200

9,000

5,000

7,500

8,230

87,730

648,850

8,700

9,500

4,700

22,900

24,000

12,800

29,900

13,400

8,000

20,000

10,200

18,400

8,600

10,000

10,200

18,000

183,500

5,000

10,500

5,000

7,700

6,000

4,400

4,500

10,000

5,900

2,300

4,000

16,500

3,000

4,180

88,980

19,000

4,900

4,800

5,800

1,700

4,500

1,500

6,800

4,500

53,500

348,880

4,000

6,900

6,100

3,100

9,600

39,000

59,000

700

6,700

135,100

79,000

65,000

96,000

65,000

53,000

80,000

110,000

55,000

30,500

80,000

32,500

78,000

824,000

48,000

48,500

2,600

45,000

50,000

91,000

30,000

12,400

43,000

58,000

84,000

25,000

91,000

227,000

49,000

20,500

925,000

570

7,700

89,000

29,000

5,500

24,500

28,000

3,000

15,500

40,500

15,500

40,000

9,200

307,970

2,192,070 1 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 DE, MD, and WV. 4 AK, AZ, HI, NV, and WY.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 9 NASS, USDA

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1999

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres

Northeast

 CT 2

 ME 2

 MA 2

 NH 2

 NJ 2

 NY

 PA

 RI 2

 VT 2

 Oth Sts 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL

 AR

 DE 2

 FL

 GA

 KY

 LA

 MD 2

 MS

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 WV 2

 Other States 3

 Total

West

 AK 2

 AZ 2

 CA

 CO

 HI 2

 ID

 MT

 NV 2

 NM

 OR

 UT

 WA

 WY 2

 Other States 4

 Total

US

140

450

230

200

190

1,900

2,100

20

350

5,580

1,700

1,300

1,800

3,400

1,900

3,100

7,300

2,000

3,500

3,000

2,000

2,900

33,900

3,700

2,150

33

1,800

3,000

4,000

1,750

360

3,700

2,200

6,800

2,550

4,800

22,500

2,700

2,300

64,343

200

2,000

2,800

3,800

105

1,500

4,100

1,000

5,200

1,700

1,100

2,600

3,100

29,205

133,028

2,100

2,400

1,300

5,800

5,800

3,900

9,700

16,100

2,800

8,600

11,600

12,000

14,000

4,900

14,400

4,700

108,500

2,800

3,350

2,600

2,400

5,700

1,900

2,600

1,900

14,700

1,150

4,000

48,000

3,600

1,607

96,307

7,000

10,300

3,300

17,000

12,000

4,800

2,800

2,700

17,985

77,885

288,492

3,800

3,200

1,980

8,980

20,200

10,300

21,500

28,000

5,700

17,100

11,200

32,400

21,900

7,000

27,600

8,700

211,600

2,700

9,150

6,000

5,800

3,900

4,500

5,100

5,200

12,500

1,150

3,100

60,000

2,400

1,980

123,480

18,000

17,700

7,100

35,900

27,500

10,700

7,700

10,400

46,860

181,860

525,920

370

1,270

570

420

830

7,800

7,700

60

1,340

20,360

27,700

15,500

33,000

47,500

10,400

28,800

30,100

46,400

39,400

14,900

44,000

16,300

354,000

9,200

14,650

580

10,400

11,200

13,600

8,150

2,100

11,400

9,300

34,000

4,850

11,900

130,500

8,700

3,600

284,130

910

27,500

27,800

31,800

1,440

11,900

57,000

6,800

44,700

17,200

11,600

15,700

34,600

288,950

947,440 1 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 DE, MD, and WV. 4 AK, AZ, HI, NV, and WY.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 10 NASS, USDA

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1998

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

Number Number Number Number

Northeast

 CT 2

 ME 2

 MA 2

 NH 2

 NJ 2

 NY

 PA

 RI 2

 VT 2

 Oth Sts 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL

 AR

 DE 2

 FL

 GA

 KY

 LA

 MD 2

 MS

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 WV 2

 Other States 3

 Total

West

 AK 2

 AZ 2

 CA

 CO

 HI 2

 ID

 MT

 NV 2

 NM

 OR

 UT

 WA

 WY 2

 Other States 4

 Total

US

2,650

4,400

3,300

2,100

6,300

18,400

33,300

350

3,600

74,400

27,700

31,000

26,500

24,200

27,000

29,500

62,700

14,000

8,200

41,500

7,000

34,000

333,300

35,000

27,500

800

29,500

32,500

51,000

19,000

6,300

30,000

34,000

52,000

18,700

69,000

153,000

32,000

17,400

607,700

350

4,800

42,600

13,900

3,200

12,500

12,000

1,600

10,000

26,500

9,000

25,700

3,400

165,550

1,180,950

11,000

17,200

9,700

37,900

27,800

22,500

38,500

27,300

17,000

29,500

36,700

22,600

14,000

27,300

15,300

25,500

304,000

9,000

11,500

10,500

9,700

33,000

6,500

7,400

14,000

25,000

4,000

18,000

56,000

13,000

7,400

225,000

24,400

10,800

7,200

10,000

4,200

8,600

4,500

7,500

8,210

85,410

652,310

8,600

9,500

4,700

22,800

23,500

12,500

32,000

13,500

8,000

21,000

10,600

18,400

8,800

11,200

10,200

18,500

188,200

5,000

10,500

5,000

7,800

6,000

4,500

4,600

10,000

6,000

2,300

4,000

17,000

4,000

4,300

91,000

22,000

4,800

4,800

5,500

1,800

4,400

1,500

6,800

4,500

56,100

358,100

4,100

6,900

6,000

3,100

9,600

38,000

60,000

700

6,700

135,100

79,000

66,000

97,000

65,000

52,000

80,000

110,000

55,000

31,000

80,000

32,500

78,000

825,500

49,000

49,500

2,700

45,000

50,000

90,000

30,000

12,500

42,000

58,000

83,000

25,000

91,000

226,000

49,000

21,000

923,700

560

7,800

89,000

29,500

5,500

24,500

27,500

3,000

16,000

39,500

15,000

40,000

9,200

307,060

2,191,360 1 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 DE, MD, SC, and WV. 4 AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 11 NASS, USDA

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1998

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres

Northeast

 CT 2

 ME 2

 MA 2

 NH 2

 NJ 2

 NY

 PA

 RI 2

 VT 2

 Oth Sts 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL

 AR

 DE 2

 FL

 GA

 KY

 LA

 MD 2

 MS

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 WV 2

 Other States 3

 Total

West

 AK 2

 AZ 2

 CA

 CO

 HI 2

 ID

 MT

 NV 2

 NM

 OR

 UT

 WA

 WY 2

 Other States 4

 Total

US

150

450

230

200

180

1,800

2,100

20

350

5,480

1,700

1,500

1,700

3,500

1,900

3,100

7,300

2,100

3,400

2,800

2,000

2,800

33,800

4,000

2,250

33

1,800

3,000

3,900

1,800

370

3,800

2,300

6,900

2,550

4,800

22,000

2,800

2,350

64,653

200

2,100

3,000

4,100

105

1,500

4,000

1,000

5,350

1,700

1,100

2,600

3,100

29,855

133,788

2,200

2,500

1,305

6,005

6,000

4,000

9,200

16,000

2,800

8,500

11,600

12,500

14,000

4,600

14,400

4,800

108,400

2,800

3,300

2,800

2,400

5,900

1,900

2,900

1,900

14,100

1,200

4,000

45,500

3,200

1,652

93,552

7,300

10,600

3,400

16,900

12,000

4,800

2,800

2,800

18,460

79,060

287,017

3,800

3,100

1,985

8,885

20,100

10,100

22,100

28,000

5,700

17,300

11,200

31,800

22,100

7,500

27,600

8,800

212,300

2,700

9,200

6,000

5,900

4,000

4,500

4,900

5,200

13,000

1,150

3,100

64,000

2,800

2,025

128,475

18,200

17,500

7,100

36,600

27,950

10,700

7,700

10,300

46,985

183,035

532,695

380

1,270

570

420

830

7,800

7,700

60

1,340

20,370

27,800

15,600

33,000

47,500

10,400

28,900

30,100

46,400

39,500

14,900

44,000

16,400

354,500

9,500

14,750

580

10,600

11,300

13,800

8,200

2,150

11,600

9,400

34,000

4,900

11,900

131,500

8,800

3,700

286,680

910

28,100

28,500

32,200

1,440

12,000

57,500

6,900

45,300

17,200

11,600

15,700

34,600

291,950

953,500 1 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 DE, MD, SC, and WV. 4 AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 12 NASS, USDA

Percent of Farms, Land in Farms and Average Size Farm: By Economic Sales

Class, United States, 1998-2000

Economic

Sales

Class

Percent of Total Average Size Farm

(Acres) Farms Land

1998 1998 1998

 $1,000 - $2,499

 $2,500 - $4,999

 $5,000 - $9,999

 $10,000 - $19,999

 $20,000 - $39,999

 $40,000 - $99,999

$100,000 - $249,999

$250,000 - $499,999

$500,000 +

Total

26.9

14.6

12.4

10.0

9.0

10.8

9.0

4.2

3.1

100.0

4.4

4.4

5.2

5.9

7.4

16.8

23.8

14.6

17.5

100.0

71

131

182

257

358

677

1,151

1,513

2,456

435

1999 1999 1999

 $1,000 - $2,499

 $2,500 - $4,999

 $5,000 - $9,999

 $10,000 - $19,999

 $20,000 - $39,999

 $40,000 - $99,999

$100,000 - $249,999

$250,000 - $499,999

$500,000 +

Total

27.2

15.0

12.3

10.2

8.5

10.9

9.2

3.7

3.0

100.0

4.5

4.4

5.1

6.0

7.5

16.9

23.3

13.3

19.0

100.0

72

127

179

254

381

670

1,095

1,554

2,737

432

2000 2000 2000

 $1,000 - $2,499

 $2,500 - $4,999

 $5,000 - $9,999

 $10,000 - $19,999

 $20,000 - $39,999

 $40,000 - $99,999

$100,000 - $249,999

$250,000 - $499,999

$500,000 +

Total

26.8

15.1

12.1

10.2

9.0

10.7

9.3

3.8

3.0

100.0

4.4

4.2

4.9

5.6

8.6

16.1

22.8

13.9

19.5

100.0

71

121

176

238

415

653

1,064

1,588

2,822

434
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 13 NASS, USDA

Average Size Farm: By State and United States, 1998-2000

State 1998 1999 2000

Acres Acres Acres

AL

AK

AZ

AR

CA

CO

CT

DE

FL

GA

HI

ID

IL

IN

IA

KS

KY

LA

ME

MD

MA

MI

MN

MS

MO

MT

NE

NV

NH

NJ

NM

NY

NC

ND

OH

OK

OR

PA

RI

SC

SD

TN

TX

UT

VT

VA

WA

WV

WI

WY

US

194

1,625

3,603

298

320

1,092

93

215

236

226

262

490

352

236

340

731

153

273

184

172

95

200

361

276

274

2,091

844

2,300

135

86

2,831

205

162

1,274

186

410

435

128

86

196

1,354

131

582

773

200

180

393

176

210

3,761

435

192

1,596

3,571

302

312

1,097

93

223

231

224

262

486

351

238

344

731

149

272

184

169

93

196

360

265

274

2,036

844

2,267

135

86

2,884

200

160

1,292

186

405

425

131

86

194

1,354

131

575

748

200

178

393

176

209

3,761

432

191

1,586

3,560

304

318

1,090

92

223

234

222

253

486

355

242

345

742

151

275

187

169

93

200

362

258

275

2,054

859

2,267

135

86

2,895

203

161

1,300

186

400

430

131

86

196

1,354

130

575

748

197

178

393

176

210

3,761

434
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 14 NASS, USDA

Reliability of Data in this Report

Survey Procedures: These data were collected by the National Agricultural Statistics Service during

 the June Agricultural Survey using sampling procedures to ensure every farm and

ranch had a chance of being selected. Two samples of farm and ranch operators are selected. First, NASS

maintains a list of farms and ranches which are classified and sampled by size and type. Larger farms and

ranches are selected with greater frequency but all farms are represented. A second sample consists of area

segments of land scientifically selected from aerial photography. Each June, highly trained interviewers

locate each selected land segment and identify every farm and ranch operating land within the boundaries of

the sample segments. The names associated with those farms and ranches found in the area segments are

matched against the list of farms. The names not found on the list represent all farms not on the NASS list. 

This methodology is known as multiple frame sampling, with an area sample used to measure

incompleteness of the list. The area segments also provide independent indications of the number of farms

and ranches and their associated land.

Beginning in 1995, interviewers counted operaions having 5 or more horses or ponies and no other

agricultural sales as horse farms. An operation with 1 or more horses with agricultural sales of at least

$1,000, qualified as a farm. Two new industries, maple syrup and short rotation woody crop farms were

added beginning in 1997 as a result of the new North American Industry Classification System. These

changes were efforts to have comparability with the Census of Agriculture farm definition. All the changes

in the farm definition beginning in 1995 were carried back to 1993 and included in the 1993-1998 estimates. 

These changes bring comparability between the Census of Agriculture data and the annually published

NASS estimates and also provide users a consistent data series. Because of these changes in the farm

definition, the official estimates show a level difference in he number of farms between 1992 and 1993 in

some states.

Estimation Procedures: National, Regional, and State data are reviewed for reasonableness and

 consistency. Each State Statistical Office submits its analysis to the Agricultural

Statistics Board (ASB) which prepares the estimates for publication. Farm numbers and land in farm

estimates are based on survey results and the historical relationship of official estimates to the survey

results.

Revision Policy: Farm and ranch numbers information is subject to revision the following year and

 following review of the five-year Census of Agriculture. The basis for revision must be

supported by additional data that directly affect the level of the estimate. A historical publication with

revisions for 1993-1997 was published January 19, 1999.

Reliability: Two types of errors, sampling and nonsampling, are possible in an estimate based on a

 sample survey. Both types affect the "precision" of the estimates.

Sampling error occurs because a complete census is not taken. The sampling error measures the variation in

estimates from the average of all possible samples. An estimate of 100 with a sampling error of 1 would

mean that chances are 19 out of 20 that the estimates from all possible samples averaged together would be

between 98 and 102; which is the survey estimate, plus or minus two times the sampling error. The

sampling error expressed as a percent of the estimate is called the relative sampling error. The relative

sampling error for the U.S. number of farms was just above 1 percent and just above 1 percent for land in

farms. The sampling error for total number of farms and total land in farms is less than the sampling error

for each component of the total, such as number of farms by economic sales class. Relative sampling errors

by economic sales class generally ranged from 1.8 to 3.8 percent for number of farms and 2.3 to 6.7 percent

for land in farms at the U.S. level.

Nonsampling errors can occur in complete censuses as well as sample surveys. They are caused by the

inability to obtain correct information from each person sampled, differences in interpreting questions or

definitions, and mistakes in coding or processing the data. Special efforts are taken at each step of the

survey to minimize nonsampling errors.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 2001 15 NASS, USDA

Terms and Definition

A farm is defined as "any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or

would normally be sold during the year". Government payments are included in sales. Institutional farms,

experimental and research farms, and Indian Reservations are included as farms. Places with their entire

acreage enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, set aside, or other government programs are

considered operating.

Land in farms is all land operated by farms during the year. It includes crop and livestock acreage,

wasteland, woodland, pasture, land in summer fallow, idle cropland, and land enrolled in the Conservation

Reserve Program and other set aside or commodity acreage programs. It excludes public, industrial, and

grazing association land and nonagricultural land. It excludes all land operated by establishments not

qualifying as farms.

Economic sales classes are based on the gross value of sales, which includes sales of agricultural products

such as crops, livestock, horses, honey, furs, fish, nursery and greenhouse products, rabbits, etc. 

Government program payments from the previous year are also included.

Farm Definition History

Minimum Criteria for "FARM" Definition, 1840-Present

and Enumeration of Apiaries and Fur Farms

 Value of Sales Required some Apiaries and

 Acres in Value of Agricultural of Agricultural Agricultural Fur Farms 

Year Place Products (Produced) Products Operations Enumerated

1974-present – -- $1,000 or more -- --

1959 Less than 10 -- $250 or more --

 10 or more -- $50 or more --

1954 Less than 3 -- $150 or more -- --

 3 or more $150 or more -- – --

1950 Less than 3 -- $150 or more -- Apiaries

 3 or more $150 or more -- -- Fur Farms

1935-1945 Less than 3 $250 or more – -- Apiaries

 3 or more -- -- X Fur Farms

1930 Less than 3 $250 or more -- -- Apiaries

 3 or more -- -- X

1925 Less than 3 $250 or more -- -- --

 3 or more -- -- X

1910-1920 Less than 3 $250 or more -- -- Apiaries

 3 or more -- -- X

1900 -- -- -- -- Apiaries

 – -- -- X

 1870-1890 Less than 3 -- $500 or more -- Apiaries

 3 or more -- -- X

 1860 -- -- -- -- --

 1850 -- $100 or more -- -- Apiaries

 1840 -- -- -- -- --
The next "Farms and Land in Farms" report will be released in February, 2002.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the

basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and

marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who

require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)

should contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten

Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice

or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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