LESSON PLAN 

Census of 

Agriculture 

CD 

u.s. Department of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 

82-A 18 
Dear Vo-Ag Instructor: 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Bureau of the Census 

Washington, D.C. 20233 

Information is one of agriculture's most important resources. More than 

ever in our history, the farmer and agri-business executive need relevant 

data to help in maki.ng daily business decisions. 

The U.S. census of agriculture is the major source offacts about American 

agriculture down to the county level. It provides essential information about 

land use and ownership, crops and livestock, value and types of products 

sold, and characteristics about farm owners and operators. Data from the 

1982 census now have been published for your use. 

We are pleased to provide you with a series of three lesson plans, designed to 

help you with instructing your students about the census of agriculture and 

its uses. These have been prepared in close cooperation with specialists 

from the Vo-Ag program. 

We would appreciate receiving your comments on the self-addressed return 

card and invite your inquiries by calling my staff at ( 301) 763-4164. Thank 

you for including the census of agriculture in your instructional planning. 

Sincerely, 

2:::.:!:7 

Chief, Agriculture Division 

Bureau of the Census 

.Information abo . . ~ available from~t Obtaining PUblications 

ustomer Service 

Bureau of the cen~~:t~~~~~s Services Division 

, Ington, D.C. 20233 ' 

This Lesson Plan is 

The AgricUlture Divi o.roduced by: 

U.S. Department of ~olon, Bureau of Census 

mmerce IAI h' , ,vvas mgton DC 

, . . 20233 
Lesson Plans for the 1982 Census of Agriculture 

There is a wealth of agricultural information 

at your fingertips .... It's contained in the 

newly published 1982 Census of Agriculture. 

This series of Lesson Plans has been 

specially designed to assist you in informing 

your students about the census-and its 

role in their agricultural careers. 

There are six sections in this publication. 

Three are designed to be removed easily so 

that you may duplicate them for use by your 

students. Note that one is titled "Production 

Agriculture," the second is "Agri-Business 

Development" and the third is "Community 

Development. " 

The rest of this Lesson Plan is for you, the 

Vo-Ag instructor. The first section is the 

Introduction. The second section is a twopage narrative to give you background information for general use in class, with a 

glossary of terms. The final section contains 

instructions for you and the answers to the 

classroom questions. You may wish to keep 

these sections together in your file. 

Learning to use the 1982 Census of Agriculture 

The three Lesson Plans were prepared for 

use by your students to learn more about 

how local and national agricultural activities are measured, so they can use statistics 

comfortably to help solve business, marketing, and policy problems. Portions of the 

1982 Census of Agriculture are excerpted 

for reproduction as part of each plan. The 

plan may also be used with your own state 

and county census data. For most teachers, 

the preliminary census data for your county 

and state have been provided, along with 

preliminary census data for the nation. 

A step-by-step program for use of the 

plans is outlined on the page titled "Instructions for Teachers." While Vo-Ag instructors 

were consulted in designing this material 

for Vo-Ag classes, the three plans may also 

be used in math classes, civics instruction, 

and/ or journalism or writing classes as topics for essays. 

The role of the teacher is to be moderator, 

stimulator, and coordinator. You are not 

asked to possess specialized knowledge 

about census statistics, or to evaluate the 

student's work other than to check the 

accuracy of responses to factual questions. 

You are perceived to be a helper in assisting 

comprehension of how to use available statistics to communicate, to plan, and to 

evaluate agricultural issues, based on the 

1982 Census of Agriculture. 

Statistics are only as valuable as the use 

people make of them. The 1982 Census of 

Agriculture is compiled from millions of 

reports by America's farmers. All farmers 

are asked to respond; however, some may 

not realize how valuable their data can be in 

planning for agricultural production programs or agri-business development. As 

your students learn from experience with 

the statistics, feel free to encourage them to 

discuss the value of cooperating with the 

next U.S. Census of Agriculture. 

We hope you will enjoy conveying to 

your students our excitement about the 

important role of statistics in American 

agriculture. 
of Agriculture 1982 Census of Agriculture 1982 Census of Agriculture 1982 Census of Agriculturl 

What is the 

Census of Agriculture? 

The census is a county-by-county measurement of the nation's agriculture. It is conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, in 

close cooperation with the nation's agricultural user groups and farmer organizations. 

As a result, it provides a comprehensive and 

valuable informational data base on America's agricultural activity. 

Such a nationwide survey of U.S. agriculture has been taken periodically since 1840. 

It is authorized by Congress under title 13 

of the United States Code and serves as an 

important statistical benchmark for government and private programs. The census of 

agriculture is the only available source of 

uniform and comprehensive agricultural 

data for each state and county. 

When is it conducted? 

The census is traditionally conducted once 

every five years. Recently it has been conducted at four-year intervals to bring it into 

line with the nation's other economic censuses. From now on, all related censuses 

including the census of agriculture will be 

conducted during the same year to assure 

maximum compatibility 

The most recent census is the 1982 Census of Agriculture, conducted during the 

1983 calendar year to gather data on 1982 

agricultural operations. It normally takes 

up to 18 months to gather, process, and 

publish relevant information about the 

nation's 2.2 million agricultural operations. 

Preparation of this lesson plan marks the 

completion of all preliminary data for the 

1982 Census of Agriculture. 

What does it include? 

Information determined to be of value to 

U.S. agriculture and its programs is collected 

by the census of agriculture. This includes: 

-information on value of sales 

-inventory and use of agricultural land 

- characteristics about farm owners and 

operators 

-crop acres harvested 

- classification of types of farms and 

ranches 

-count of livestock and poultry on hand 

and sold 

- information about farm machinery 

-selected production expenses 

These data are needed by a wide variety 

of users, including farm and commodity 

organizations, government agencies, and 

universities. 

Glossary of Census terms 

The census of agriculture uses basic industry terms, most of which are familiar to 

agricultural professionals. Some of the most 

widely used terms are defined here: 

Farm (agricultural operation)-Any place 

where $1,000 or more is produced and sold 

during the census year. 

Operator-A person who operates an agricultural operation, either actually doing 

work, or making day-to-day management 

decisions. 

Harvested cropland-Any land from which 

crops were harvested, hay was cut, or is in 

orchards, vineyards, groves, or nurseries. 

Land in farms- All land owned and operated, as well as land rented from others, 

including grazing areas and woodlands. 
do NOT duplicate the contents of this box for use by your students 

TEACHER'S GUIDE: Reproduce the remainder of these four pages for each 

student. The questions relate to national statistics, tables of which have been 

duplicated llerein. Similar tables for state and county have been supplied. 

See the last page entitled "Instructions for Teachers" to find out how to conduct 

the course material, including the answers to the questions. 

learning to use 

1982 Census of Agriculture 

for 

Production 

Agriculture 

rn 
1982 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

PRELIMINARY REPORT 

UNITED STATES 

Livestock and Poultry: 1982 and 1978 

All farms 

Cattle and calves inventory ___ ._ ...•• __ • __ ..•.• farms •• number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 19. __ .•.• ____ .....••• __ •.• _ ••.• _ •• _. farms •• 

number __ 

20 to 49 ___ •••...•••••...•••••• __ .....••• farms .. number __ 

50 t'l 99 _ •..••.. _ .....• __ ._ ...•••• _ •• _ ..• farms_. 

number __ 

100 to 499 ..••• _._ .• _ .•••• __ ...••.• _. __ .. farms_. 

nUfT\tJer __ 500 or more _____________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Cows and herters that had calved ___ ••• ___ • __ farms._ 

number __ Beef cows _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 19 _. __ • ___ ...• ____ •.....••• ___ .. farms_. 

number __ 

20 to 99 _. __ ._ ..•••• _. ___ ._ ••• _ ••••.• farms .. 

number __ 

100 to 199 ___ ..•..•.•• _ ••....••• _ •... farms_. 

number __ 200 or more _________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Cattle and calves sold .....•...••••• _. _____ ••• farms._ 

number __ 

Farms by number sold: 1 to 19. __ ..••••• _ ••• ___________ • __ •••• _. farms_. 

number __ 20 to 49 .•••••••• _. ___ • __ ._ •• __ ••• _ •• ____ farms •• 

number .• 50 to 99 _ •• __ ._. ___ .• __ •.•••••• _________ . farms •• 

number __ 100 to 499. __ ••....•..••••••• __________ .. farms •• 

number __ 500 or more ___ ._ ..••• ___________ ._ .•• _ •• farms __ 

number __ 

Cattle fattened on grain and concentrates sold •...•• _._ ._ •• _ •• ____ ••..•.••••• ____ •• _ farms •• 

number __ 

Dairy products sold _. __ ••••• _. ___ ••..•••.••• __ farms •• 

$1,000 .. 

Hogs and pigs inventory •••...•• _. __ • __ • ____ ..• farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 99. ________ .. _ •••• _. ___ • __ ...••••••• farms .. 

number __ 

lOa to 499_._ ...•.. _ •• _ •• __ ..•••• __ ••• _._ farms .. 

number.. 500 to 999 ....•••• ____ ••.••.••• ____ • _____ farms •• 

number __ 1,000 or more. _________ ...•• _. __ • ______ .• farms._ 

number __ 

Hogs and pigs used or to be used for breeding _._ ..... _ ....••.•• __ • ____ • _ ..••••• farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 9 ..•.••••••• _ ••••• _____ •....••••.. farms._ 

number __ 

10 to 24._ ..•. _ •.••••.• _ ••• ____ •••••... farms_. 

number_. 25 to 49 .•...•...••.•.••••.•••• ____ •.. _ farms._ 

number._ 50 or more .•.. _ •.. _._ •...••.•• _. __ • ___ farms •• 

number __ 

1982 

1 355 020 104 408 187 

495 920 4 692 278 373 306 11 754 241 

242 426 16 755 363 219 986 40 564 687 

23382 30 641 638 

1 153 899 45 034 042 957 693 34 182 790 

546 968 4 481 597 

343 896 13 791 739 

42 373 5 505 481 24456 10 403 973 

1 278 628 71 139 881 

740 961 6 000 563 315771 

9 589 020 

120 354 8099 799 87438 16 757 029 14 104 30693 470 

240 052 27 626 763 

199612 16 322 513 

329 862 55623711 

211 493 5 082 940 89 155 20 086 556 19885 13 137 256 

9329 17 316 959 

223 695 6 952 948 

91 905 382 278 57866 

885 036 

34 808 178 280 39 116 4 507 354 

1978 

1 346 106 103 865 109 

468 692 4605211 

392 147 12 390 851 251 684 17 347 509 210 749 38 715 651 22834 30805 887 

1 163 064 44 547 966 954 360 34 326 274 

533 567 4 565 904 355 190 14 207 796 41 741 5 436 445 

23862 10 116 129 

1 320 163 78 020 351 

717315 

6216 857 352 065 10 733 893 136979 

9 228 457 98820 18 841 963 14984 32 999 181 

247 114 29 722 043 

216 833 11 228899 

445 117 57 697 318 

303 253 7 947 891 116640 24 970099 

17890 11 683066 

7334 13 096 262 

328 834 8516 131 

138681 

584 373 93908 

431 849 50836 

712 107 45409 4 787 802 

All farms 

Cattle and calves inventory - Con. 

Cows and heifers that had calved-Con. 

Milk cows •••.•••••••••••••••..•••• ___ •..• farms __ number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 9 •••• ____ ._ •.•.•.••••• _._ •••••. _ farms._ 

number •• 

10 to 29. __ •.••• ____ • ____ •• _ •• ____ • __ farms __ 

number._ 

30 to 49._._. ____ ••• _ •• _._. __ .••• ____ farms __ 

number •• 

50 to 99._. ____ ••.•••••• __ .• _ ••• _. ___ farms_. 

number __ 

100 or more ______ ..•• _ ••• ___ •..••• __ farms __ 

number __ 

Heifers and heifer calves ._ ...•••• __ ....•• __ • farms._ 

number __ 

Steers, steer calves, bulls, and bull calves ._._ farms __ number __ 

Hogs and pigs sold • __ ._. ___ ..• _ .••••••• _____ • farms._ 

number_. 

Farms by number sold: 1 to 99 _ •• _____ •• _ •• _____ ..••.••••• _____ • farms __ 

number __ 100 to 499 __ • _____ •..••••••••• __________ • farms •• 

number __ 

500 to 999_ ••.• ___ ._._. __ • __ •• ______ ••••• farms._ 

number .. 1,000 or more._ •••.•.••• _._. _____ .• _ •.• _. farms .• number __ Feeder pigs sold • ____________ .•.. _ ...•• ____ farms._ 

number •. 

Litters of pigs farrowed between- Dec. 1 of preceding year and Nov. 30 ____ •• _. farms •• number __ 

Dec. 1 of preceding year and May 31._ .•••• farms._ 

number __ June 1 and Nov. 30 • __ • __ • ____ •..• __ •• __ • farms .. 

number __ 

Sheep and lambs inventory ..• _ ••• ________ •• __ • farms __ 

number •. Ewes 1 year old or older ••••• ______ •• __ • ____ farms._ 

number __ Sheep and lambs sold • ____ • __ • __ ..• __ • _______ farms •. 

number __ Sheep and lambs shorn ___ ..••• __ • __________ •. farms •• 

number •• WooLpounds •• Horses and ponies inventory •• _________ .••.•• _. farms •• 

number._ 

Chickens 3 months old or older inventory ___ •••• farms .. number __ 

Hens and pullets of laying age inventory ••.••. farms •• number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 3,199 ______________ •• _ •• _ ••• _____ • farms __ 

number __ 3,200 to 9,999 __________ ••• _. ___ ._. ____ farms __ 

number __ 10,000 to' 19,999 _______ •• _._ •••• _______ farms •• 

number __ 20,000 or more ••• ____ ._ ..•.••. ____ • ___ • farms •• 

number .. Broilers and other meat·type chickens sold ••• ___ farms .. number __ Turkeys sold _ •••• __ •••• _____________ •••••• _._ farms •• 

number._ 

1982 1978 

277 784 312 095 10 851 252 10221 692 

92692 118731 

204 423 263 261 

52 846 65 945 030 637 1 287 547 

59 424 63 464 2 252 405 2388 961 

53 345 47704 3 475 222 3 093 370 

19677 16251 

3 888 565 3 188 533 

1 073 653 1 060 196 

28 685 154 27 800 142 

I 150 459 1 134 520 

3D 708 991 31 517 001 

315 119 423 578 94 818 304 90 757 143 

163 065 237 402 5 145 716 8 033 221 100 348 140 658 23 431 908 31 646 338 30042 29766 20 578 235 20 015 261 21 664 15752 45 662 445 31 062 323 90377 128 060 20 044 693 19 491 098 

235191 342 680 10 360 847 10 999 496 

210 679 301 185 5 216 245 5510 114 198 454 286 642 5 144 602 5489 382 

101 576 90 437 12 428 171 12 243 476 

90 486 82287 7 648 594 7 808 221 94954 85718 10 766 550 10 260 539 88118 80 475 11 248904 11 354 913 87 144 505 88 896 358 417 040 399 335 2 264 629 1 957 028 

215 844 240 891 362 866 518 354 357 427 212 639 237 070 310 778 574 300 283 286 

203 698 226 398 9 650 816 13 417 705 2693 3718 18 530 148 24 699 824 2789 3323 37 424 202 44 538 752 3459 3631 

245 173 408 217 627 005 30104 31 743 3 509 892 902 3 062 154 490 7513 6033 171 426 440 141 276 176 
do NOT duplicate the contents of this box for use by your students 

TEACHER'S GUIDE: Reproduce the remainder of these four pages for each 

student. The questions relate to national statistics, tables of which have been 

duplicated herein. Similar tables for state and county have been supplied. 

See the last page entitled "Instructions for Teachers" to find out how to conduct 

the course material, including the answers to the questions. 

learning to use 

1982 Census of Agriculture 

for 

Agri-Business 

Development 
1982 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

PRELIMINARY REPORT 

UNITED STATES 

Selected Summary Items: 1982 and 1978 

All farms 

Market value of agricultural products sold ______ $1,000 __ Average per farm _________________________ doIlars __ 

Crops, including nursery and greenhouse products _________________________________ $1,000 __ Grains __________________________________ $1,000 __ 

Cotton and cottonseed ___________________ $1,000 __ Tobacco ________________________________ $1,000 __ 

Hay, silage, and field seeds ______________ $1,000 __ 

V9Q6tables, sweet corn, and melons ______ $1,000 __ Fruits, nuts, and berries __________________ $1,000 __ 

Nursery and greenhouse producIs _________ $1,000 __ Other crops _____________________________ $1,000 __ 

Livestock, poultry, and their products ________ $1,000 __ Poultry and poultry products ______________ $1,000 __ Dairy products __________________________ $1,000 __ 

Cattle and calves ________________________ $1,000 __ 

Sheep, lambs, and wooL _________________ $1,000 __ Hogs and pigs __________________________ $1,000 __ 

Other livestock and livestock products _____ $1,000 __ 

Farms by value of sales: $250,000 or more' _______________________________ _ 

$100,000 to $249,999' ___________________________ _ $40,000 to $99,999 ______________________________ _ $20,000 to $39,999 ______________________________ _ $10,000 to $19,999 ______________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 ________________________________ _ Less than $5,000 ________________________________ _ 

Value of agricultural products sold directly to individuals for human consumption _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ tarms __ 

$1,000 __ 

Farm-related income: 

Income from machine work, customwork. and other agricultural services __________________ farms __ 

$1,000 __ 

Farms by type of organizabon: Individual or family _________________________ number __ 

acres __ Partnership _______________________________ number __ 

acres __ Corporabon: Family held _____________________________ number __ 

acres __ Other than family held ___________________ number __ 

acres __ 

Other-cooperawe, estate or trust, institutional, etc. __________________________ number __ 

acres __ 

'(enure of operator: Full owners ________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ Part owners ________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ Owned land in farms _______________________ acres __ 

Rented land in farms ______________________ acres __ Tenants ___________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

'Retabulated 1978 data for 1982 comparability. 

2Data are based on a sample of farms. 

1982 

131 810903 

58815 

62 274 394 36 405 401 3 232 609 2782 III 2 314 999 4 150 275 5 849637 

3 823 663 3 715 699 

69536509 

9732222 

16 322 513 

31 579973 

608369 

9 872 193 I 421 239 

86776 

216188 

333047 

249063 

259258 

281 895 814897 

143 535 504272 

165424 

687 589 

1 945 724 641 739017 

223339 lSI 342890 

52657 112 492 046 

7131 13 992416 

12273 65 188 746 

1 325 931 342 630 172 656 219 528 861 161 260 168 674 268 692 487 258 974 113 263 782 

3Data lor 1978 include the cost of lime which was not collected in 1982. 

Livestock and Poultry: 1982 and 1978 

All farms 

Cattle and calves inventory ____________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 19 __________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 20 to 49 _________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 50 to 99 _________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 100 to 499 _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 500 or more _____________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Cows and heifers that had calved ____________ farms __ 

number __ Beef cows _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 19 ______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 20 to 99 _____________________________ farms __ 

number __ 100 to 199 ___________________________ farms __ 

number __ 200 or more _________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

1982 

I 355020 104 408 187 

495920 

4692278 

373306 II 754 241 242426 16 755 363 219 986 40 564 667 23382 30641 638 

I 153 899 45 034 042 957 693 34 182 790 

546 968 4 481 597 343 896 13 791 739 42373 5 505 481 

24456 10 403 973 

1978 

107073458 47424 

~ 203 200 26 747 307 3 101 232 2319428 

2275068 

3238826 

4601 397 2 835 732 3084 210 

68 870 268 8463 486 II 228899 29 610 751 

644 574 8071 766 850 783 

56450 

165791 

360 423 299 398 299421 

314 245 762047 

125 236 380 827 

222 212 637 667 

I 965 860 673 187 925 232 538 158 078 005 

44 413 104 002 340 5 818 16 118 159 

9 146 63 390 805 

1 297 902 331 920 878 681 112 561 138 719 281 452 255 279686 464 278 761 121 717 637 

1978 

1 346 106 103865 109 

468 692 4 605 211 392 147 12390 851 251 664 17347509 210 749 38 715 651 22834 30805887 

I 163064 44 547 966 

954 360 34 326 274 

533 567 4 565 904 355 190 14 207 796 41 741 5 436 445 23862 10 116 129 

All farms 

Operators by principal occupation and raIidence: 

F~oo-iam,-eperated======================= Residence not on farm operated ___________________ Other than farming _________________________________ 

Residence on farm operated _______________________ 

Residence not on farm operated ___________________ 

Operators by age group: Under 25 years _____________________________________ 

25 to 34 years _____________________________________ 35 to 44 years _____________________________________ 

45 to 54 years _____________________________________ 

55 to 64 years _____________________________________ 

65 years and over __________________________________ Average age _______________________________________ 

Female operators: Farms ____________________________________ number __ 

Land in farms _______________________________ acres __ 

Operators by race: White _____________________________________________ 

Black and other races ______________________________ 

Operators reporting days of work off farm: Any _______________________________________________ 

100 days or more __________________________________ 

Selected farm production expenses2: 

Livestock and poultry purchased ____________ $1,000 __ Feed for livestock and poultry ______________ $1,000 __ 

Commercially mixed formula feeds ________ $1,000 __ Seeds, bulbs, plants, and trees _____________ $1,000 __ Commercial fertilizer _______________________ $1,000 __ 

Other agricultural chemicals3 ________________ $1,000 __ Hired farm labor ___________________________ $1,000 __ 

Workers working ISO days or more _________ farms __ 

number __ 

Contract labor _____________________________ $1,000 __ 

Customwork, machine hire, and rental of machinery and equipment _________________ $1,000 __ 

Energy and petroleum products _____________ $1,000 __ 

Gasoline and gasohoL ___________________ $1,000 __ Diesel fuel ______________________________ $1,000 __ 

Electricity _______________________________ $1,000 __ Interest expense __________________________ $1,000 __ 

Machinery and equipment': 

Estimated market value of all machinery and equipment _______________________________ $1,000 __ Average per farm _________________________ doIIars __ 

Motortrucks, including pickups _______________ farms __ number __ Wheel tractors _____________________________ farms __ 

numbeL_ 

Grain and bean combines, seH-propelied only ______________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

All farms 

Cattle and calves inventory-Con. 

Cows and herters that had calved - Con. 

Milk cows ________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by inventory: I to 9 _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

10 to 29 _____________________________ farms __ number __ 

30 to 49 _____________________________ fatmS __ numbet' __ 

50 to 99 _____________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

100 or more _________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Herters and heifer calves ____________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Steers, steer calves, bulls, and bull calves ____ farms __ number __ 

1982 1978 

234 858 269 305 934 949 957409 175 796 182686 006 266 988470 646 312 628 295 253 575 239 104 

62339 66 575 

293 856 285420 

443 456 433 900 

505445 549 159 

536 426 552 175 

399602 370 546 50.5 50.3 

121 626 112799 35 462 394 35342860 

2 186 755 2 199 787 

54 369 57988 

187 490 203 286 963 728 950 815 

17 110899 16 039 244 18 573 721 15 785 995 10 433 263 8 793 653 3 173 754 2607 118 7 689 577 6 330 581 4 282 795 2 889 503 8434 399 6 814 428 312621 317 161 950112 953 694 

106 129 8118 959 

2024 725 I 750 875 9 973 663 6025 704 2 987 056 2 054 818 3 150413 I 469 392 2040615 I 308 290 II 673895 (NA) 

93686308 77 600 689 41930 34 471 

I 914 124 1 907 021 3435 299 3357 829 

I 919 732 1 962 676 4 525 373 4 626 228 

560 963 572 532 644 276 654 695 

1982 1978 

277 784 312 095 10 851 252 10 221 692 

92692 118 731 204 423 263 261 

52646 65 945 030 637 287 547 

59 424 83 464 2 252 405 2388 961 

53 345 47704 3 475 222 3 0iI3 370 

19677 16251 

3 888 565 3 188 533 

I 073 653 , 060 196 

28 665 154 27 800 142 

I 150 4591 I 134 520 

30 708 991 31 517 001 
do NOT duplicate the contents of this box for use by your students 

TEACHER'S GUIDE: Reproduce the remainder of these four pages for each 

student. The questions relate to national statistics, tables of which have been 

duplicated herein. Similar tables for state and county have been supplied. 

See the last page entitled "Instructions for Teachers" to find out how to conduct 

the course material, including the answers to the questions. 

learning to use 

1982 Census of Agriculture 

for 

Community 

Development 

OJ 
1982 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

PRELIMINARY REPORT 

UNITED STATES 

Selected Summary Items: 1982 and 1978 

All farms 

Market value of agricultural products sold _ _ _ _ _ _ $ 1,000 __ Average per farm _________________________ doilars __ 

Crops, including nursery and greenhouse products _________________________________ $1,000 __ Grains __________________________________ $1,000 __ 

Cotton and cottonseed ___________________ $1,000 __ Tobacco ________________________________ $1,000 __ 

Hay, silage, and field seeds ______________ $1,000 __ 

VE>Q<'tables, sweet com, and melons ______ $1,000 __ Fruns, nuts, and berries __________________ $1,000 __ 

Nursery and greenhouse products _________ $1,000 __ Other crops _____________________________ $1,000 __ 

Livestock, poultry, and their products ________ $1,000 __ Poultry and poultry products ______________ $1,000 __ Dairy products __________________________ $1,000 __ 

Cattle and calves ________________________ $1,000 __ 

Sheep, lambs, and wool __________________ $1,000 __ Hogs and pigs __________________________ $1,000 __ 

Other livestock and livestock products _____ $1,000 __ 

F anms by value of sales: $250,000 or more' _______________________________ _ 

$100,000 to $249,999' ___________________________ _ $40,000 to $99,999 ______________________________ _ 

$20,000 to $39,999 ______________________________ _ $10,000 to $19,999 ______________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 ________________________________ _ Less than $5,000 ________________________________ _ 

Value of agricultural products sold directly to individuals for human consumption _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ farms __ 

$1,000 __ 

Fanm-related income: 

Income from machine work, customwork, and other agricultural services __________________ farms __ 

$1,000 __ 

Farms by type of organization: Individual or family _________________________ number __ 

acres __ Partnership _______________________________ number __ 

acres __ 

Corporation: Family held _____________________________ number __ 

acres __ Other than family held ___________________ number __ 

acres __ 

Other-cooperative, estate or trust, inStitutional, etc. __________________________ number __ 

acres __ 

Tenure of operator: Full owners ________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ Part owners ________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ ONned land in farms _______________________ 8cres __ 

Rented land in farms ______________________ 8creS __ 

Tenants _________________ • _________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

'Retabulated 1978 data for 1982 comparability. 

'Data are based on a sample of farms. 

1982 

131810903 58815 

62 274 394 36405 401 3232609 

2782111 

2 314 999 4 150275 

5 849 637 3 823 663 3 715 699 

69536509 

9732 222 16 322 513 

31 579 973 608 369 9 872 193 1 421 239 

86776 

216 188 333 047 249 063 

259 258 281 895 814 897 

143 535 504 272 

165 424 687 589 

1 945 724 641 739 017 223 339 151 342 890 

52657 112 492 046 

7131 13992416 

12273 65 188 746 

1 325 931 342 630 172 

656 219 528 861 161 260 168 674 268 692 487 258 974 113 263 782 

3Data for 1978 include the cost of lime which was not collected in 1982. 

1978 

107073458 47424 

48 203 200 26 747 307 3 101 232 2319428 

2275068 

3238826 

4601 397 2835 732 3084 210 

58 870 258 8463 486 11 228 899 29 610 751 644 574 8071 766 850 783 

56450 

165791 

360 423 299 398 299421 

314 245 762047 

125 236 380 827 

222 212 

637 667 

1 965 860 673 187 925 232 538 158078 005 

44 413 

104 002 340 5818 16118 159 

9146 

63 390 805 

1 297 902 331 920 878 681 112 561 138719 281 452 255 279686464 278 761 121 717 637 

All farms 

Operators by principal occupation and 

residence: 

F~~nceoni8m;0P9riit9d::::::::::::::::::::::: Residence not on fanm operated ___________________ Other than farming _________________________________ 

Residence on fanm operated _______________________ Residence not on fanm operated ___________________ 

Operators by age group: Under 25 years _____________________________________ 

25 to 34 years _____________________________________ 

35 to 44 years _____________________________________ 

45 to 54 years _____________________________________ 

55 to 64 years _____________________________________ 

65 years and over __________________________________ Average age _______________________________________ 

Female operators: Farms ____________________________________ number __ Land in farms _______________________________ 8cres __ 

Operators White by race: _____________________________________________ 

Black and other races ______________________________ 

Operators reporting days of work off farm: Any _______________________________________________ 

100 days or more __________________________________ 

Selected farm production expenses': livestock and poultry purchased ____________ $1,000 __ Feed for livestock and poultry ______________ $1,000 __ 

Commercially mixed formula feeds ________ $1,000 __ Seeds, bulbs, plants, and trees _____________ $1,000 __ Commercial fertilizer _______________________ $1,000 __ 

Other agricultural chemicals3 ________________ $1,000 __ Hired farm labor ___________________________ $1,000 __ 

Workers working 150 days or more _________ farms __ 

number __ 

Contract labor _____________________________ $1,000 __ 

Customwork, machine hire, and rental of machinery and equipment _________________ 51,000 __ 

Energy and petroleum products _____________ $1,000 __ Gasoline and gasohol ____________________ $1,000 __ Diesel fuel ______________________________ $1,000 __ Electricity _______________________________ 51,000 __ 

Interest expense __________________________ $1,000 __ 

Machinery and equipment': 

Estimated market value of all machinert and equipment _______________________________ $1,000 __ 

Average per farm _________________________ doiIars __ 

Motortrucks, including pickups _______________ farms __ 

number __ Wheel tractors _____________________________ fanms __ 

number __ 

Grain and bean combines, self-propelled only ______________________________________ fanms __ 

number __ 

1982 1978 

1 234 858 269 305 934 949 957 409 

175 796 182686 006 266 988470 646 312 628 295 253 575 239 104 

62339 66 575 293 856 285 420 

443 456 433 900 505 445 549 159 

536 426 552 175 

399 602 370 546 

50.5 50.3 

121 626 112799 35 462 394 35 342 860 

2 186 755 2 199 787 54 369 57988 

187 490 203286 

963 728 950815 

17 110899 16 039 244 

18 573 721 15 785 995 

10 433 263 8 793 653 3 173 754 2607118 

7 689 577 6 330 581 

4 282 795 2 889 503 8 434 399 6814 428 

312621 317161 

950 112 953694 

106 129 898 959 

2024 725 1 750875 

9 973 663 6025 704 

2 987 056 2 054 818 

3 150 413 1 469 392 

2 040 615 1 308 290 

11 673 895 (NA) 

93888308 77 600 689 41 930 34 471 

1 914 124 1 907021 

3435 299 3 357 829 

1 919 732 1 962 676 4 525 373 4 626 228 

560963 572 532 644 276 654 695 
AC82-A-OO-OOO(P) 

Issued May 1984 

Farms, land in Farms, and land Use: 1982 and 1978 

All farms 1982 1978 All farms 1982 1978 

2 241 124 2257 775 Land in farms according to use: 

984 755 115 014 777 234 Total cropland ______________________________ farms __ 2 010 779 2081 604 

439 449 acres __ 445 527 557 453 874 133 Harvested cropland _______________________ farms __ 1 809 901 1 904 602 acres __ 326 311 614 317 145 955 

Farms ______ _______ ____ ___________________ __ number __ 

Land In farms _________________________________ acres __ 

Average size of farm _______________________ acres __ 

Cropland used only lor pasture or grazing ___ farms __ 869 809 949 206 

347 974 279 672 acres __ 65 070 141 73 204 828 Other cropland ___________________________ farms __ 537 064 699 464 791 619 acres __ 54 145 802 63 523 350 

Value 01 land and buildings': Average per farm _________________________ dollars __ Average per acre _________________________ dollars __ 

Woodland, including woodland pastured ______ farms __ 917 141 939 563 acres __ 87 133 026 91 815 487 

Pastureland and rangeland other than 

187 699 151 233 cropland and woodland pastured ____________ farms __ 595 016 585 446 

449 301 391 554 acres __ 415 933 304 433 316 686 

Farms by size: 1 to 9 acres ______________________________________ _ 10 to 49 acres ____________________________________ _ 

50 to 179 acres ___________________________________ _ 711 701 759 047 Land in house lots, ponds, roads, wasteland, 180 to 499 acres _________________________________ _ 526 568 581 631 etc. ______________________________________ farms __ 1 496 824 1 478 319 500 to 999 acres __________________________________ _ 203 936 213 209 acras __ 36 161 228 35 770 928 1.000 to 1,999 acres _______________________________ _ 97396 97800 Irrigated land _________________________________ farms __ 278 368 280 779 2.000 acres or more _______________________________ _ 64 525 63301 acres __ 49 014 423 50 349 906 

'Data are based on a sample of farms. 

Farms With Sales of $10,000 or More: 1982 and 1978 

[Excludes abnormal farms) 

Item 1982 1978 Item 1982 1978 

1 143 253 1 180 151 Selected farm production expenses': 

809 505 375 829 228 636 Livestock and poultry purchased ____________ $1,000-- 16 554 334 15 576 421 

Farms ______________________________________ number __ 

Land in farms _________________________________ acres __ 

708 703 Feed for livestock and poultry ______________ $1,000-- 17883 345 15 144 923 Seeds, bulbs, plants, and trees _____________ $1,000-- 3 049 607 2 470 186 

560 808 440 971 Commercial fertilizer _______________________ $1,000-- 7 320 440 5 909 619 

791 628 Other agricultural chemicals2 ________________ $1,000-- 4 155 709 2 738 024 Hired farm labor ___________________________ $1,000-- 8 147 471 6541 391 

Average size 01 farm _______________________ scres __ 

Value of land and buildings': Average per farm _________________________ dollars __ Average per acre _________________________ dollars __ 

Energy and petroleum products _____________ $1,000-- 9286 101 5475 402 Interest expense __________________________ $1,000-- Farms 10952 360 (NA) by size: 1 to 9 acres ______________________________________ _ 40604 35631 

76295 69133 Cattle and calves inventory ____________________ larms __ 675671 711 436 287327 293 302 number __ 89058 785 89260 678 

10 to 49 acres ____________________________________ _ 

50 to 179 acres ___________________________________ _ 180 to 499 acres __________________________________ _ 401 291 438 872 Beef cows _________________________________ farms __ 416162 442 990 500 to 999 acres __________________________________ _ 184 863 191 483 number __ 26 591 377 26 948 942 1,000 to 1,999 acres _______________________________ _ 91 698 91 731 Milk cows __________________________________ farms __ 212215 229473 2.000 acres or more _______________________________ _ 61 175 59999 number __ 10634 955 9922646 Hogs and pigs invenlory _______________________ farms __ 219155 283535 number __ 53696097 54 115219 Chickens 3 months old or older inventory _______ farms __ 77 524 99021 

1 083774 1 125 698 number __ 357802 528 348295 261 Land in farms according to use: Total cropland ______________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 396 297 942 394 833 266 1 051 626 1 091 464 Com lor grain or seed ________________________ farms __ 546 648 587 183 306 244 631 292 172 740 acres __ 67612 791 66 542 688 183 472 190 147 bushels __ 7 342 017 529 6 573 923 121 46869004 47 784 021 Wheat lor grain ______________________________ farms __ 367 256 302679 

Harvested cropland _______________________ farms __ 

acres __ Irrigated land _______________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

acres __ 68 457 908 51 202 136 bushels __ 2 313 661 262 541 197841 COtton _______________________________________ farms __ 33 188 43937 482201 485 164 acres __ 9 608 299 12417 308 

Tenure of operator. Full owners _______________________________________ _ 

Part owners _______________________________________ _ 490983 514 399 bales __ 11 259 932 10544 540 Tenants __________________________________________ _ 170069 180 588 Tobacco _____________________________________ farms __ 87626 86279 acres __ 794 636 805 723 

901 504 934 066 pounds __ 641 618 569 647868 195 Soybeans for beans __________________________ farms __ 410 460 413 082 241 749 246 085 acres __ 62 273 360 58 047 445 

79469277 66003646 bushels __ 931 321 423 653376 011 Irish potatoes ________________________________ farms __ 13896 14559 69640 55694 acres __ 1 253 254 1 368 354 

Operators by principal occupation: 

~~:'W.a,;- fa;':;;;ng -::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Estimated market value of all machinery and equipment' ________________________________ 51,000-- Average per farm _________________________ doIlars __ 

cwL 332 476 027 349 017 726 

127 959 648 102 927 581 111 926 87216 ~:!in ~~' ~~_~~~~~'_~_ farms __ 593 688 645 284 acres __ 46 429 647 48 780 891 

60 658 213 46 375 510 Vegetables harvested for sale _,---------------- larms __ 40092 41 659 67 301 435 56 552 071 acres __ 3 208 983 3 363 252 

9701 956 8 430 754 Land in orchards _____________________________ larms __ 51 469 53 386 

16 237 251 11 127 307 acres __ 4 148 195 3 908 105 

Market value 01 agricultural products sokl ______ 51,000-- Average per larm _________________________ doIIars __ 

Crops, including nursery and greenhouse products _________________________________ 51,000--

Livestock, poultry, and their products ________ 51,000--

Poultry and poultry products ______________ 51,000-- Dairy products __________________________ 51,000--

'Data are based on a sample of farms. 

2Data for 1978 Include the cost of lime which was not collected in 1982. 
Community Development 

Information from the 1982 Census of Agricul ture 

can help pinpoint facts about your local community 

and assist you in assisting with planning and development. The following questions can be answered by 

use of the census tables excerpted on the previous 

two pages. 

Your county's officials will soon do an in-depth 

study of the local rural community to assess potential 

for added agricultural development. They will stress 

potential for the following: (a) Direct farm-toconsumer marketing; (b) Part-time farm income; and 

(c) Productive years expected from farm operators. 

Be prepared to write a letter to your county officials, 

after you've finished these questions, to add your own 

assessment of the local agricultural potential. 

I. True or false. 

True False 

a. The number of smaller 

farms (less than 50 acres) 

decreased in 1982. 

b. The number of farms with 

D 

more than $250,000 in value D 

declined from 1978. 

c. Farm operators are getting D 

older, on average. 

d. There are more farms run by D 

females in 1982 than 1978. 

e. The number of farm 

residents with non-farm 

principal occupations D 

increased in 1982. 

II. Cross out the incorrect word. 

D 

D 

D 

D 

D 

While the number of farm operators over 65 is 

(rising/falling) the number of farmers in the middleage bracket (45-64) is (rising/falling). 

III. fill in the blanks. 

The number of farms with sales of more than 

510,000 declined to in 1982, although 

the average size rose from acres in 

1978. While the number of full-time owners of 

510,000+ farms in 1982, , was relatively 

unchanged, the number of part-time owners dropped 

to . This contrasts to an increase in the 

number of full-time owners ( ) of all farms 

regardless of sales in 1982. and a general decline in 

the number of farms with part owners. 

IV. True-false-Unproven. 

Only one of the following statements can be proven 

true with the tables supplied. Two statements can be 

proven false. The other two cannot be proven true 

or false because to do so requires information not 

supplied by the tables. 

True False Unproven 

0 D 0 Most tenant farms are run 

by 25-year-olds and less. 

0 D 0 The number of farmers 

under 65 years of age is 

increasing. 

0 D 0 Farms with less than $5,000 

in sales produce most of 

the vegetables sold. 

0 D D The cost of feed, up 18%, 

was the largest increase in 

farm expenses. 

0 0 0 Family-held corporations 

increased less from 

1978 to 1982 than any 

other form. 

Now that you have become familiar with the kinds 

of data available from tables of the 1982 Census of 

Agriculture, compose a letter to your county officials 

explaining why you think the need for an economic 

development study is or is not warranted. Include 

your rationale, based upon supporting data from the 

census tables. Explain why you feel you should be 

hired to help develop the study. 

Suggested additional activities: 

(a) Modify the questions, above, to pertain solely to 

your state or county (your teacher has the preliminary census figures for your state and/or county). 

(b) Study the tables and determine which facts would 

be most interesting to talk about, if you were to 

be interviewed on a farm radio talk show. 

(c) If you are involved with your school newspaper, 

use census statistics to ask questions about local 

farm trends when interviewing local officials or 

farm leaders. 
Livestock and Poultry: 1982 and 1978--con. 

AC82-A-OO-OOO(P) 

Issued May 1984 

--------,----------------------------,---------,-------- All farms 

Cettle and calves sold ________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by number sold: 1 to 19 __________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 2V to 49 _________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 50 to 99 ______ •• _______________ • _________ farms __ 

number __ 100 to 499 _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 500 or more _____________________ • _______ farms __ 

number __ 

Cattle fattened on grain and concentrates sold _________ • ____ • _______________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Dairy products sold ___________________________ farms __ 

$1,000 __ 

Hogs and pigs inventory _______________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by :nventory: 1 to 99 __________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 100 to 499 _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 500 to 999 _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 1,000 or more ____________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Hogs and pigs used or to be used for breeding __________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 9 _________________________________ farms __ 

number __ 10 to 24 _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 25 to 49 _______________________________ farms __ 

number __ 50 or more ____________________________ farms __ 

number __ 

1982 

1 278 628 

71 139881 

740 961 

6 000 563 315771 

9 589 020 

120 354 8 099 799 

87436 

16 757 029 

14 104 

30 693 470 

240052 

27 626 763 

199612 

16 322 513 

329662 

55623711 

211 493 

5082940 89155 

20086556 

19865 

13 137 256 

9329 

17 316 959 

223695 

6 952 948 

91 90S 

382 278 

57866 

885 036 

34808 

178 280 

39 116 4 507 354 

Crops Harvested: 1982 and 1978 

All farms 

Corn for grain or seed ________________________ farms __ 

Farms by acres harvested: 

acres __ bushels __ 

1 to 24 acres ___________________________________ _ 251099 acres __________________________________ _ 

·10010249 acres ________________________________ _ 

250 acres or mcre _______________________________ _ 

Corn for silage or green chop __________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

Green weighUons __ Sorghum for grain or seed _____________________ farms __ 

acres __ bushels __ 

Wheat for grain ______________________________ farms __ 

Farms by acres harvested: 

acres __ bushels __ 

1 to 24 acres ___________________________________ _ 

25 to 99 acres __________________________________ _ 100 to 249 acres ________________________________ _ 

250 acres or more _______________________________ _ 

Barley for grain _______________________________ farms __ 

acres __ bushels __ 

Oats for grain ________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ bushels __ Cotton _______________________________________ farms __ 

Farms by acres harvested: 

acres __ bales __ 

1 to 24 acres ___________________________________ _ 

251099 acres __________________________________ _ 

100 to 249 acres ___ • ____________________________ _ 

250 acres or more _______________________________ _ 

1982 

715228 

69 867 737 

7 509 431 410 

244 739 

249 959 

152 239 

68291 

222 313 8 018 721 

110 728 705 

93700 

12 678 698 

725 981 750 

446 049 

70 889 930 2 372 551 007 

128 047 

152 067 

85269 

80666 

79310 

8651 617 

468 383 031 

280 868 

9 131 093 

505 783 555 

38268 

9781 905 11 375 770 

5098 

11 164 10 138 

11 868 

1978 

1 320 163 

78 020 351 

717 315 

6 216 857 

352 065 

10 733 893 136979 

9 228 457 

96820 

18841 963 14964 

32 999 161 

247 114 

29 722043 

216633 

11 226 699 

445 117 57 697 316 

303 253 

7 947 891 

116640 

24 970099 

17690 11 663066 

7334 

13 096 262 

326 634 

6516 131 

138681 

584 373 

93908 

431 649 

50836 

712 107 

45409 

4 787 802 

1978 

810 577 

70 043 480 

6 805 185 661 

294 127 269 618 

164 602 

61 830 

240 561 

8271 617 

111 126 003 

113336 

12 899 829 

658 573 141 

378 574 

54 155168 

607 540 430 

125 760 

121 414 

67956 

83444 

96 060 8 943 812 

427 558 661 

319 744 

10 121 903 513 485 225 

52628 12 693 772 10686 447 

7978 

15504 

13655 

15491 

All farms 1982 1978 

Hogs and pigs sold • _______________ • __________ farms __ 315 119 423 578 number __ 94 818 304 90 757 143 

Farms by number sold: 1 to 99 __________________________________ farms __ 163065 237 402 number __ 5 145 716 8 033 221 100 to 499 _______________________________ farms __ 100 348 140 658 number __ 23431 906 31 646 338 500 to 999 _______________________________ farms __ 30042 29766 number __ 20 576 235 20015 261 1,000 or more ____________________________ farms __ 21 664 15 752 number __ 45662 445 31 062 323 Feeder pigs sold ___________________________ farms __ 90377 128 060 number __ 20044 693 19491 096 

Litters of pigs farrowed between- Dec. 1 of preceding year and Nov. 30 ________ farms __ 235191 342 660 number __ 10360 647 10 999 496 Dec. 1 of preceding year and May 31. ______ farms __ 210679 301 185 number __ 5 216 245 5510 114 June 1 and Nov. 30 _____ • ________________ farms __ 196 454 286 642 number __ 5 144 602 5489 382 

Sheep and lambs inventory _______ • ____________ farms __ 101 576 90437 number __ 12 426 171 12243 476 Ewes 1 year old or older ____________________ farms __ 90466 62287 number __ 7 648 594 7606 221 Sheep and lambs sold ________________________ farms __ 94954 85716 number __ 10 766 550 10260 539 Sheep and lambs shom _______________________ farms __ 68 118 80475 number __ II 248904 11 354 913 WooL_pounds __ 87 144 505 86696356 Horses and ponies inventory ___________________ 1arms __ 417 040 399 335 number __ 2 264 629 1 957026 

Chickens 3 months old or older inventory _______ farms __ 215 644 240 691 number __ 362 666 516 354 357 427 Hens and pullets of laying age inventory ______ farms __ 212 639 237 070 number __ 310 776 574 300 283 266 

Farms by inventory: 1 to 3,199 _____________________________ farms __ 203 698 226 398 number __ 9 650 816 13417 705 3,200 to 9,999 _________________________ farms __ 2693 3 718 number __ 18 530 148 24699 824 10,000 to 19,999 _______________________ farms __ 2789 3323 number __ 37 424 202 44 536 752 20,000 or more _________________________ farms __ 3459 3631 number __ 245 173 406 217 627 005 Broilers and other meat-type chickens sold ______ farms __ 30 104 31 743 number __ 3 609892 902 3 062 154 490 Turl<eys sold _________________________________ farms __ 7513 6033 number __ 171 426 440 141 276 176 

All farms 1982 1978 

Tobacco _____________________________________ farms __ 179 285 168 649 acres __ 934 380 963 224 pounds __ I 877 557 167 918 189 782 Soybeans for beans __ ._._. _________________ ._ farms __ 511 247 537 037 acres __ 64 830 833 61 339 849 bushels __ I 989 931 447 722 154 229 

Farms by acres harvested: 1 to 24 acres ________ •• _____ • ____________________ 108 348 126 345 25 to 99 acres ______________________ • ____________ 208093 226 822 100 to 249 acres ___________________ • _____________ 129 175 126 598 250 acres or more ________________________________ 65631 57272 

Irish potatoes _______________ • ________________ farms __ 27025 26 421 acres __ I 269 268 1 385 686 

cwL 334 857 216 351 217422 

Hay-aHalfa, other tame, small grain, wild, grass silage, green chop, etc. ______________________ farms __ I 051 055 1 132 997 acres __ 56 750 645 60 241 391 Alfalfa hay _________________________________ farms __ 508 303 557 585 acres __ 23 911 551 25 960 083 Dry weighUons __ 71 675 213 75008 845 

Vegetables harvested for sale _________ • _______ farms __ 69 157 73 183 acres __ 3 337 095 3 534 142 

Farms by acres harvested: 0.1 to 4.9 acres _______________________________ • __ 29 553 29777 5.0 to 24.9 acres ______________________________ • __ 19957 21 893 25.0 to 99.9 acres ___________________________ ._. __ 13219 14865 100.0 acres or more ______________________________ 6426 6628 

Land in orchards _____________________________ farms __ 123 707 121 652 acres __ 4 752 968 4 463 627 

Farms by acres harvested: 0.1 to 4.9 acres __________________ • _______________ 46 504 44 881 5.0 to 24.9 acres _______ • _________________________ 44 422 45743 25.0 to 99.9 acres ________________________________ 21 870 22940 100.0 acres or more ______ • _______________________ 8911 8268 

Nursery and greenhouse products, mushrooms, and sod grown for sale ______________________ farms __ 35 514 34650 

sq. fL_ 642 303 957 564 542 565 8cres __ 452 297 404 404 $1,000 __ 3 823 663 2 835 732 
Agri-Business Development 

Information from the 1982 Census of Agriculture 

can help solve marketing problems and assist in 

planning for future company growth. The following 

questions can be answered by use of the census 

tables excerpted on the previous two pages. 

Assume you are a marketing manager for a manufacturer of automatic water-trough equipment, and 

your primary marketing target has been dairy farms 

where the cows are confined virtually year-round. 

Your regional sales manager asserts that beef cattle 

feed-lot operators are a better marketing target than 

the large dairy farmers. Be prepared to write a letter 

to your sales vice president agreeing or disagreeing 

with your regional manager, using the facts from 

national statistics, when you have completed the 

following questions. 

I. True or false. 

True False 

a. While there were fewer 

farms in 1982, market 

value of machinery and 

equipment increased. 0 0 

b. Dairy products sold 

increased from 1978 to 1982 

by $5 billion. 0 0 

c. Virtually all the dairy 

products sold in 1982 came 

from 18% fewer farms. 0 0 

d. More than one-third of all 

1982 milk cows were on 

less than 10% of farms. 0 0 

e. There were fewer beef 

cows on farms in 1982, 

compared to 1978. 0 D 

II. Cross out the incorrect word. 

The number of cows and heifers that had calved 

(increased/decreased) from 1978 to 1982, while the 

total from farms with less than 100 cows (increased/ 

decreased). 

The total number of farms with milk cows (increased/ 

decreased) from 1978 to 1982, while the number of 

farms with 50 head or more (increased/decreased). 

III. Fill in the blanks. 

Approximately $ billion in agricultural 

products was sold in 1982, of which S ___ _ 

billion was sold in dairy products, and $ ___ _ 

billion in cattle and calves. In 1982, ___ _ 

farms sold hogs and pigs, _____ sold dairy 

products, and _ farms sold cattle and 

calves. Comparing 1978 to 1982, for cattle sold, the 

increase in the number of farms was greatest among 

the farms selling head; in 1982, there 

were farms with 500 or more head of 

cattle and calves. 

IV. True-False-Unproven. 

Only one of the following statements can be proven 

true with the tables supplied. Two statements can be 

proven false. The other two cannot be proven true 

orfalse because to do so requires information not 

supplied by the census tables. 

True False Unproven 

D o D 

D o D 

D o D 

o o o 

D D D 

Farms with sales of more 

than $250,000 specialize 

primarily in cattle. 

Interest expense is thirdlargest, behind the cost of 

feed and livestock, in 1982. 

Farms selling cattle fattened 

on grain are mostly those 

with 100+ head. 

The 1,945,724 individual 

or family-held farms in 

1982 accounted for less 

than half the total farm 

acreage. 

The number of tenant 

farmers declined by more 

than 10% from 1978 to 1982. 

Now that you are familiar with the information in 

the census tables about national trends among feedlot operators and large dairy farmers, draft a memorandum agreeing or disagreeing with your regional 

sales manager's choice of beef-cattle feed-lots as a 

new marketing target. Use statistics to prove your 

viewpoint. 

Suggested additional activities: 

(a) Modify the questions, above, to pertain solely to 

your state or county (your teacher has the preliminary census figures for your state and/or county). 

(b) Study the tables and determine which facts would 

be most interesting to talk about, if you were to 

be interviewed on a farm radio talk show. 

(c) If you work on your school newspaper, use 

census statistics to ask questions about farm 

trends when interviewing local officials or farm 

leaders. 
Crops Harvested: 1982 and 1978 

All farms 

Corn for grain or seed ________________________ farms __ 

Farms by acres harvested: 

aeres __ 

bushels __ 

1 to 24 acres ___________________________________ _ 

25 to 99 acres __________________________________ _ 100 to 249 acres ________________________________ _ 

250 acres or more _______________________________ _ 

Corn for silage or green chop __________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

Green weight..tons __ Sorghum for grain or seed _____________________ farms __ 

aeres __ bushels __ 

Wheat for grain ______________________________ farms __ 

Farms by acres harvested: 

aeres __ 

bushels __ 

1 to 24 acres ___________________________________ _ 25 to 99 acres __________________________________ _ 

100 to 249 acres ________________________________ _ 

250 acres or more _______________________________ _ 

Barley for grain _______________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

bushels __ 

Oats for grain ________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

bushels __ COtton _______________________________________ farms __ 

Farms by acres harvested: 

acres __ 

bales __ 

1 to 24 acres ___________________________________ _ 

25 to 99 acres __________________________________ _ 

100 to 249 acres ________________________________ _ 250 acres or more _______________________________ _ 

1982 

715 228 69 867 737 7 509 431 410 

244 739 249959 

152 239 68 291 

222 313 8 018 721 110 728 705 93700 12 678 698 725 981 750 

446049 70889 930 2 372 551 007 

128 047 152067 

85269 

80686 

79310 8651 617 468 383 031 

280 888 9 131 093 505 783 555 38268 9781 905 11 375 770 

5098 

11 164 10 138 11 868 

1978 All farms 

810 577 Tobacco _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ farms __ 

70 043 480 acres __ 

6 805 185 861 pounds __ Soybeans for beans __________________________ farms __ 

294 127 acres __ 

289 818 bushels __ 

164 802 Farms by acres harvested: 

61 830 1 to 24 acres ____________________________________ 

25 to 99 acres ___________________________________ 

240 561 

100 to 249 acres _________________________________ 

8271 817 

250 acres or more ________________________________ 

111 126 003 Irish potatoes ________________________________ farms __ 

113336 acres __ 12 899 829 cwL 658 573 141 Hay-alfalfa, other tame, small grain, wild, grass silage, green chop, etc, ______________________ farms __ 

378 574 aeres __ 

54 155 168 Alfalfa hay _________________________________ farms __ 

607 540430 acres __ 

Dry weight..tons __ 

125 760 Vegetables harvested for sale _________________ farms __ 121 414 67956 acres __ 

83 444 Farms by acres harvested: 0.1 to 4.9 acres __________________________________ 

5.0 to 24.9 acres _________________________________ 

96 060 25.0 to 99.9 acres ________________________________ 

8 943 812 100.0 acres or more ______________________________ 

427 558 681 Land in orchards _____________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

319 744 Farms by acres harvested: 

10 121 903 0.1 to 4.9 acres __________________________________ 

513 485 225 5.0 to 24.9 acres _________________________________ 

52628 25.0 to 99.9 acres ________________________________ 

12 693 772 100.0 acres or more ______________________________ 

10 686 447 Nursery and greenhouse products, mushrooms, 

7978 and sod grown for sale ______________________ farms __ 

15504 sq. ft. __ 

13655 acres __ 

15491 51,000 __ 

Farms With Sales of $10,000 or More: 1982 and 1978 

[Excludes abnormal farms) 

Item 1982 1978 Item 

Farms ______________________________________ number __ 1 143 253 1 180 151 Selected farm production expenses': Land in farms _________________________________ acres __ 809 505 375 829228 636 Livestock and poultry purchased ____________ 51,000 __ 

708 703 Feed for livestock and poultry ______________ 51,000 __ 

Seeds, bulbs, plants, and trees _____________ 51,000 __ 

Average size of farm _______________________ acres __ 

Value of land and buildings': 560 808 440 971 Commercial fertilizer _______________________ $1,000 __ 

791 628 Other agricultural chemicals. ________________ $1,000 __ Hired farm labor ___________________________ 51,000 __ 

Average per farm _________________________ dollars __ Average per acre _________________________ dollars __ 

Energy and petroleum products _____________ 51,000 __ Interest expense __________________________ $1,000 __ 

40604 35831 Farms by size: 1 to 9 acres ______________________________________ _ 

76295 69133 Cattle and calves inventory ____________________ farms __ 

287 327 293 302 number __ 

10 to 49 acres ____________________________________ _ 50 to 179 acres ___________________________________ _ 

180 to 499 acres __________________________________ _ 401 291 438 872 Beef cows _________________________________ tarms __ 

500 to 999 acres __________________________________ _ 184 863 191 483 number __ 1,000 to 1,999 acres _______________________________ _ 91 698 91 731 Milk cows __________________________________ farms __ 2,000 acres or more _______________________________ _ 61 175 59999 number __ Hogs and pigs inventory _______________________ farms __ 

number __ 

Chickens 3 months old or older inventory _______ farms __ 

1 083 774 1 125 698 number __ Land in farms according to use: Total cropland ______________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 396 297 942 394 833 268 1 051 626 1 091 464 Corn for grain or seed ________________________ farms __ 

306 244 831 292 172 740 acres __ 183472 190 147 bushels __ 48 869 004 47 784 021 Wheat for grain ______________________________ farms __ 

Harvested cropland _______________________ farms __ 

acres __ Irrigated land _______________________________ farms __ 

acres __ 

acres __ 

bushels __ COtton_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ __ __ farms __ 

482201 485 164 acres __ 

490 983 514399 beles __ 

Tenure of operator: Full owners _______________________________________ _ Part owners _______________________________________ _ Tenants __________________________________________ _ 170069 180 588 Tobacco __ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___ __ _ ___ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ farms __ 

acres __ 

901 504 934 066 pounds __ Soybeans for beans __________________________ farms __ 

241 749 248 085 acres __ 

79469277 66003646 bushels __ Irish poIatoes ________________________________ farms __ 

89640 55694 acres __ 

Operators by principal occupation: 

Estimated ~:~~a~ marl<et ia~iri9- value = === of = all = === machinery = = ==== = === and === = = = === = = == = equipment' ________________________________ $1,000 __ 

Average per farm _________________________ doIlars __ 

cwL_ 

127959648 111926 102927581 87216 ~~ ~~' ~~_~~~'_~_ farms __ acres __ 

60 658 213 48 375 510 Vegetables harvested for sale _________________ farms __ 

67 301 435 56 552 071 acres __ 

Market value of agricultural products sold ______ $1,000 __ Average per farm _________________________ doIenI __ 

Crops, including nursery and grMnhouse products _________________________________ $1,000 __ 

Livestock, poultry, and their products ________ $1,000 __ Poultry and poultry products ______________ $1,000 __ 9 701 956 8 430 754 Land in orchards _____________________________ farms __ Dairy products __________________________ 51,000 __ 16237 251 11 127 307 acres __ 

'Data are based on a sample of farms. 'Data for 1978 include the cost of lime which was not collected in 1982. 

AC82-A-OO-OOO(P) 

Issued May 1984 

1982 1978 

179285 188 649 934380 963 224 I 877 557 187 918 189 782 511 247 537 037 64 830 833 61 339649 989 931 447 1 722 154 229 

108 348 126345 208 093 226822 129 175 126 598 65831 57272 

27025 26 421 I 269 268 1 385 886 334 857 218 351 217 422 

I 051 055 1 132 997 56 750 845 60 241 391 508 303 557 585 23911 551 25 960 083 71 675 213 75008 845 

69 157 73 183 3 337 095 3 534 142 

29 553 29777 19 957 21 893 13 219 14885 

6428 6628 

123 707 121 852 4 752 968 4 463 627 

48504 44 881 44 422 45743 

21 870 22940 

8911 8288 

35514 34 650 

642 303 957 564 542 565 452 297 404 404 3 823 683 2 835 732 

1982 1978 

16 554 334 15 576 421 17883 345 15 144 923 3049607 2470 186 7320440 5909 619 4 155709 2738 024 8 147471 6541 391 9286 101 5475402 

10952 360 (NA) 

675671 711 436 89058 785 89260 678 416162 442990 26 591 377 26 948942 212215 229 473 10634 955 9922646 219155 283 535 53 696 097 54115219 77 524 99021 

357 802 528 348 295 261 

546648 t;i!7183 

67 612 791 68 542 688 7 342 017 529 6573923 121 367 256 302679 

68 457 908 51 202 136 2 313 661 262 1 541 197 841 

33 188 43 937 9 608 299 12 417 308 11 259 932 10544 540 

87626 86279 

794 636 805 723 I 841 618 569 1 647 868 195 410 460 413 062 

62 273 380 58 047 445 931 321 423 653 376 011 13896 14 559 

1 253 254 1 368 354 332476027 349017 726 

593 688 845 264 48 429 647 48 780 891 40 092 41 659 3 208 983 3 363 252 51 489 53386 4 148 195 3 908 105 
Production Agriculture 

Information from the 1982 Census of Agriculture 

can help you better understand your local farming 

environment and assist you in planning for future 

growth. The following questions can be answered by 

use of the tables excerpted on the previous two 

pages. 

Assume your family has decided to raise hogs for 

the first time. Here are some questions about hog 

production trends, nationally. Be prepared to write 

an essay about your family'S plans, when you're 

finished. 

1. True or false. 

True False 

a. There was a 36% decline in 

inventory of hogs from 

1978 to 1982. 0 D 

b. Most of the decline 

occurred on the farms with 

the most pigs and hogs. 0 D 

c. Fewer pigs and hogs were 

sold in 1982 than in 1978. 0 D 

d. In 1982, there were less 

than 10,000 U.S. farms 

with more than 1,000 hogs. 0 D 

e. The number of breeder 

farms with the most hogs 

increased from 1978 to 1982. 0 D 

II. Cross out the incorrect word. 

While the number of farms selling feeder pigs has 

(declined/increased), the number of feeder pigs sold 

has (declined/increased). While the number of hog 

farms with 500 or more hogs has (declined/increased), 

the number of farms with less than 500 has (declined/ 

increased). 

III. Fill in the blanks. 

Farms with more than $10,000 sales nationwide, total 

more than one million in number. The number of hog 

farms was almost one-fourth smaller than the 1978 

total of . Yet the market value of livestock, poultry and their products on these $10,000+ 

farms had risen considerably, from $ ___ _ 

million in 1978 to $ million in 1982. 

IV. True-False-Unproven. 

Only one of the following statements can be proven 

true with the information supplied by the tables. 

Two statements, below, can be proven false with 

the information. The other two statements cannot 

be proven true or false because to do so requires 

information not supplied in the tables. 

True False Unproven 

o o o 

o o o 

o o o 

o o D 

o o o 

Approximately 15 million 

litters were farrowed 

in 1982. 

Of the 546,648, $10,000+ 

farms producing corn for 

grain or seed, 219,155 

had hogs. 

Farms with inventories of 

less than 11 pigs increased 

to 303,253 in 1982. 

The larger farms with more 

than 1,000 hogs increased 

production by more than 

30% over 1978. 

The 2,000 new farms with 

more than 1,000 hogs produced 14.5 million more 

pigs throughout all of 1982 

over 1978. 

Now that you are familiar with census information 

about national trends in pig and hog production, 

write a letter to your family giving your reasons why 

you support-or disagree with -their impending decision to begin raising hogs. 

Suggested additional activities: 

(a) Modify the questions, above, to pertain solely to 

your state or county (your teacher has the preliminary census figures for your state and/or county). 

(b) Study the tables and determine which facts would 

be most interesting to talk about if you were to be 

interviewed on the local farm radio show. 

(c) If you assist on your school newspaper, use 

census data to ask questions about farm trends 

when interviewing local officials or farm leaders. 
982 Census of Agriculture 1982 Census of Agriculture 1982 Census of Agriculture 1982 Census 

How should it be used properly? 

The most difficult aspects of using any 

statistical data stem from the limitations 

and precision of definitions. Numbers imply 

precision, so their use must be precise, too. 

To use data correctly, there must be correct 

understanding of the definitions, their limitations and configurations. A glossary of 

terms accompanying this explanation may 

help; your review of terminology defined 

in the back of a complete state or national 

census is encouraged. 

Who benefits from the Census? 

Everyone directly or indirectly connected 

with agriculture benefits from a national 

census of the industry. That's why the 

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of 

Selected production expenses-Expenses 

incurred for the agricultural operation during the census year including interest and 

custom work. 

Agricultural products sold - Gross market 

value before taxes and production expenses 

of all agricultural products sold or removed 

from the premises. 

Other Income-Gross income from agricultural services, including custom work and 

machine services. 

Crop year covered-Acres and quantity 

harvest during the same calendar year as 

the census, except for some crops reported 

for the season preceeding the census year 

such as citrus fruits, avocadoes, olives, vegetables and pineapples. 

Commerce, conducts this nationwide collection of data. Those who benefit include: 

- the farmer ... to better understand his 

chosen industry 

-agri-business ... to better serve producers and processors 

-local government ... to better plan for 

rural development 

-colleges ... to better design programs 

of research and education 

- USDA ... to better chart future direction of farm programs 

- Congress ... to better legislate farm 

and commodity policy 

How is it conducted? 

Current censuses of agriculture are conducted by mail. Every effort is made to 

assemble an accurate national listing of the 

nation's 2.2 million agricultural operations. 

Duplicates are eliminated, and census 

forms mailed at the end of the census 

calendar year. Replies are requested in 45 

days. Limited telephone follow-up is made 

if no census form is received. Upon receipt, 

the forms are checked for completeness 

and accuracy. Preliminary reports by state 

and county are published as soon as data 

are received, usually beginning about eight 

months after the forms are mailed. 

When is the next Census of 

Agriculture? 

Watch for the 1987 Census of Agriculture. 

Forms will be mailed during the last days of 

1987, to collect information for 1987 agricultural operations. Forms should be in the 

hands of farm and ranch operators by early 

January, 1988. 
Bureau of the Census means information 

Information is the main job of the U.S. Bureau of the 

Census. Staffs of skilled professionals gather, document, categorize, and publish such valuable data as 

import-export statistics of the nation, capacities and 

operating levels of major industries, and economic 

statistics on U.S. housing, manufacturing and 

construction. 

In brief, the Bureau of the Census means information for all sectors of the U.S. economy. Additional 

information that may be of interest to you has been 

listed as follows: 

1982 Census of Agriculture 

Geographic Area Series-Fifty-four separate 

reports, with data for each State, the United 

States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. 

Each two-chapter report contains detailed data 

for the state and its counties or equivalents. 

Graphic Summary-Multicolored pattern and dot 

maps depicting graphically the nation's agricultural production at the county levels. 

Ranking of States and Counties-Contains rankings for major agricultural commodities and various other data items. 

Cotton Ginnings- Annual series of reports 

detailing cotton ginnings from August through March. 

Farm Population of the U.S.: 1982-A joint report 

by the Bureau of the Census and USDA's Economic 

Research Service, its 32 pages are packed with 

information on the nation's farm population, much 

of it charting trends back to 1920. 

Statistical Abstract of the U.S. - A wealth of statistical data about the nation, this annual volume 

gathers pertinent information from a variety of 

sources, including USDA and other federal government agencies. 

County Business Patterns-Presents primarily employment and payroll data on agricultural service, 

forestry, and fisheries; mining; contract construction; manufacturing; transportation, wholesale and 

retail trade, among other items. 

Current Industrial Reports- A series of over 100 

monthly, quarterly, and annual reports showing information for selected manufactured products. 

For information on obtaining publications, write to 

Customer Service, Data User Services Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C. 20233. 

Information from other sources 

In addition to census publications, there are several 

other government statistical and informational booklets that may be of interest to the Vo-Ag classroom. 

Here are some suggestions: 

Fact Book of U.S. Agriculture-A 130-page booklet 

that lists a wealth of facts and figures about thenation's agriculture. Includes charts and data on the 

scope of the industry, detailed descriptions of USDA 

agencies and services, plus a glossary of U.S. agricultural terms. Limited quantities available from: Office 

of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Washington, D.C. 20250. 

Getting Started in Farming - A booklet especially 

designed by USDA writers to assist youth in beginning a career in production agriculture. Contains a 

variety of management tips and advice, including 

illustrations and farm facts. Available upon request 

from: Office of Information, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. 

Farmline Magazine-This colorful magazine is published eleven times a year, to cover research and 

analyses from USDA's Economic Research Service. 

It emphasizes how current economic developments 

affect U.S. farmers, agri-business, and consumers. 

Includes striking charts and graphs. Sample copies 

available from: Director of Information, Economic 

Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Washington, D.C. 20250. Subscription is $16.00 per 

year, from: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. 

People on the Farm-A series of specialized booklets detailing the work of U.S. farmers. The nine-part 

series includes information on such farming operations as dairy, beef, wheat, fruits and vegetables, and 

even a part on blacks in farming. A teachers' guide is 

included. Available upon request from: Office of 

Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. 
Instructions for the Teacher 

Student Objectives 

In each of the three Lesson Plans, the student will 

learn to: 

A. Read and use actual statistics from the 1982 

Census of Agriculture. 

B. Explain how statistics indicate agricultural 

trends from 1978 to 1982. 

C. Identify and define what data are contained in 

the 1982 Census of Agriculture. 

D. Experience the composition of an essay using 

statistics for support. 

E. Learn how statistics may be used in business 

situations. 

There are eleven steps recommended for 

teachers to follow: 

1. Reproduce the four-page Lesson Plan for each 

topic you intend to use. Each student needs a copy. 

There are three topic areas: Production Agriculture, 

Agri-Business Development, and Community 

Development. 

2. Examine the national, state, and county preliminary census publications which should be supplied 

along with the overall Lesson Plan. Note that the 

tables and page numbers correspond among all three 

versions. Determine if you wish to localize questions 

by using state and county data. (You are urged to do 

so, for the students best identify with their own 

localities.) 

If you need preliminary census reports for surrounding counties, ca1l30l/763-1113 or write to 

Agriculture Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C. 20233. 

3. Review other sources of statistical data, in case 

you wish to refer to them during class discussion. 

Students may ask questions which cannot be answered with data from the 1982 Census of Agriculture; knowing of other sources enables you to refer 

the student elsewhere to find out the answers-an 

equally valid way to introduce students to the value 

of statistical information. 

4. During class, describe briefly how the census 

takes place, what is important about definitions, and 

why it is important. Use the previous three pages of 

information as background. Then hand out copies of 

the Lesson Plan for students. 

5. Review the table headings and definitions with 

the class. Point out one or two statistics that you 

think are unusual or interesting. Answer any questions about the tables presented. 

6. Conduct the "test" on the last page of the 

Lesson Plan, just for the factual questions. Do not 

undertake any essay questions now. The test should 

be completed within fifteen minutes. 

7. When the test is completed, have the students 

retain their test papers. Conduct a discussion about 

how statistics can be used for planning. Encourage 

discussion of imaginative uses, and if appropriate, 

refer to other sources of information. The objective 

is to help students think about uses of statistics while 

they have just completed "hands-on" experience. 

8. Once discussion ebbs, have the students correct 

their own tests. Explain the answers, using the guide 

on the last page of this teacher's section. The 

objective is for students to understand why their 

answers may have been incorrect. 

9. Consider and undertake an "activity" by the 

entire class. You may wish to postpone this step until 

after you have read all of the essays. 

10. Assign an essay to be written over a period of 

time, perhaps in the form of a letter to someone 

knowledgeable about farm policy. Accuracy in using 

the correctly defined terms and statistical definitions 

should be the focus of your grading of the essay. 

Note how the use of statistics can be helpful for 

descriptive, argumentative, and narrative essays. 

11. Fill out the comment card and return it to the 

Bureau of the Census, adding comments on how the 

Lesson Plan concept might be improved. 

We do not recommend "mixing" the Lesson Plans to 

be taught simultaneously in the same class at the 

same time. The tables reproduced in each one are 

slightly different. We recommend using the Lesson 

Plans over several days or weeks, so that the format 

becomes familiar. This allows the challenge to come 

from understanding how to effectively use the data. 

Suggested class activities: 

a. Conduct your own census of local farmers and 

facilities. Then compare your own survey with the 

data available from your county, state and nation. 

b. Invite a business executive or local official to 

talk to the class about how he/she uses statistics. Suggest that the speaker bring into class a simple but real 

problem requiring students to look up information. 

c. Compose a class letter to an official about a 

policy decision, using statistics to buttress the viewpoint. Ask if the official interprets the data in the 

same way (the reply may illustrate how statistics can 

be used by different people to draw different 

conclusions). 
Answers for the Teacher 

Here are the answers to the factual questions on 

each Lesson Plan. There are no "correct" answers to 

the essay questions, obviously. However, when you 

review the essays, be sure to look for the proper 

usage of statistical definitions. Many mis-interpretaProduction Agriculture 

I. a. false. It's 3.6% 

b. false. Farms increased. 

c. false. 

d. true. 

e. false. Farms decreased. 

II. Cross out "increased" and "declined." 

Cross out "declined" and "increased." 

111.283,535; $56,552,071 to $67,301,435 

IV. a. False. Approximately 10-million. 

b. Unproven; no correlation possible. 

c. False. 303,253 in 1978 is correct. 

d. true. 

e. Unproven. Changes in yearend inventories do 

not correlate with yearlong production. 

tions arise because the definition is imprecisely 

understood. For example, all farmers are not necessarily farm operators, and not all farm operators own 

only their own farms. Precise use of precisely 

defined numbers leads to precise conclusions. 

Agri-Business Development 

I. a. true 

b. true 

c. false; approximately 8% 

d. true 

e. true 

II. Cross out "decreased" and "increased" 

Cross out "increased" and "decreased" 

Ill. $ 132-billion; $16-billion; $32-billion; 315,119; 

199,612; 1,278,628; 1 to 19; 23,382 

IV. a. unproven; no correlation 

b. true 

c. unproven 

d. false; 65% 

e. false; 7% 

Community Development 

I. a. false; 

increased. 

b. false; 

increased. 

c. false; essentially unchanged 

d. true. 

e. true. 

II. Cross out "falling" and "rising." 

III. 1,143,253; 703; 482,201; 490,983; 1,325,931 

IV. a. unproven; no correlation 

b. false; decreased by 45,707 

c. unproven 

d. false; energy rose 66% 

e. true