Sp Sy 3 (2-99)

Farms and

Land in Farms

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

USDA

Washington, D.C.

Released February 26, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department

of Agriculture. For information on "Farms and Land in Farms" call Brad Parks at 202-690-3229, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ET.

Farm Numbers Up Slightly and Land in Farms Down Slightly

The number of farms in the United States in 1998 is estimated at 2.19 million, up fractionally from 1997. 

Total land in farms, at 953.8 million acres, was down 2.2 million acres from last year. The decline in

land in farms continues to follow historical trends. The average farm size decreased 1 acre from 1997 to

435 acres.

The U.S. number of farms in the economic sales class between $1,000-$9,999 increased 1,150 farms

during 1998 to 1,192,200. Those with sales in the $10,000-$99,999 class decreased 3,760 farms from

1997 to 642,200 in 1998. The $100,000 and over sales class increased 3,610 farms from 1997 to

357,110 farms in 1998. These changes in the sales class mix of farms continues the trend of losing

farms in the $10,000-$99,999 sales class, while gaining farms in both the $1,000-$9,999 and the

$100,000 and over sales classes.

The West Region showed the largest increase in number of farms, up 4,500 farms or 1.5 percent. The

largest decrease was in the North Central Region with a loss of 3,500 farms or 0.4 percent.

Eleven States increased in farm numbers while 10 States decreased from a year ago. California showed

the largest increase with 2,000 farms while Texas, Georgia, Washington, and Ohio showed increases of

1,000 farms from last year. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, and North Carolina had

decreases of 1,000 farms each.

Texas remained the State with the most farms, at 226,000, up 1,000 from a year earlier. Missouri was

second with 110,000 farms, the same as last year, followed by Iowa with 97,000 farms, down 1,000

from 1997.

Texas continued to lead the nation in land in farms and ranches with 131.5 million acres, unchanged

from 1997. Oregon, Montana, and Colorado tied for the largest decrease in agricultural land from a year

ago, each decreasing 300,000 acres. There were 13 States with decreases of 100,000 acres or more in

agricultural land from a year ago.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1999 1 NASS, USDA

Average Farm Size in Acres, 1998

0 to 249

250 to 499

500 to 999

1000 +
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1999 2 NASS, USDA

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

United States, 1988-98 1 2

Year Number

of Farms

Land

in Farms

Average

Farm Size

1,000 Acres Acres

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

2,200,940

2,174,520

2,145,820

2,116,760

2,107,840

2,201,590

2,197,690

2,196,400

2,190,500

2,190,510

2,191,510

994,423

990,723

986,850

981,736

978,503

968,845

965,935

962,515

958,675

956,010

953,765

452

456

460

464

464

440

440

438

438

436

435 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. See the Survey Procedures, page 13, that denote changes to the definition of a farm. 2 1988 - 1992 estimates are for a June 1 reference date. 1993 - 1998 estimates are for the entire calendar year.
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1999 3 NASS, USDA

Number of Farms: By State and United States, 1996-98

State 1996 1997 1998

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

550

7,900

49,500

86,000

29,500

4,100

2,800

45,000

49,000

5,400

24,000

79,000

66,000

99,000

65,000

92,000

30,000

7,200

13,700

6,000

54,000

82,000

42,000

110,000

26,500

56,000

3,000

2,900

9,500

15,500

38,000

59,000

32,000

78,000

82,000

38,500

59,000

750

25,000

32,500

91,000

224,000

15,000

6,500

49,000

39,000

21,000

79,000

9,200

2,190,500

49,000

560

7,900

49,000

87,000

29,500

4,100

2,800

45,000

49,000

5,500

24,500

79,000

66,000

98,000

65,000

91,000

30,000

7,000

13,000

6,000

53,000

81,000

42,000

110,000

27,000

55,000

3,000

3,000

9,600

15,500

38,000

59,000

31,500

79,000

83,000

39,000

60,000

750

25,000

32,500

91,000

225,000

15,000

6,600

49,000

39,000

21,000

79,000

9,200

2,190,510

49,000

560

7,900

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

750

25,000

32,500

91,000

226,000

15,000

6,700

49,000

40,000

21,000

78,000

9,200

2,191,510
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1999 4 NASS, USDA

Land in Farms: By State and United States, 1996-98

State 1996 1997 1998

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

9,700

920

28,300

14,900

29,000

32,500

380

590

10,700

11,400

1,440

12,100

27,900

15,600

33,000

47,500

14,000

8,300

1,310

2,200

570

10,600

29,200

11,900

30,100

58,500

46,400

6,900

420

840

45,100

7,800

9,500

39,900

14,900

34,000

17,500

7,600

65

5,000

44,000

12,000

132,000

11,400

1,340

8,800

15,700

3,700

16,600

34,600

958,675

9,600

910

28,300

14,800

28,700

32,500

380

585

10,600

11,300

1,440

12,000

27,800

15,600

33,000

47,500

13,900

8,200

1,280

2,200

570

10,400

29,100

11,700

30,100

57,800

46,400

6,900

420

830

45,300

7,800

9,500

39,700

14,900

34,000

17,500

7,700

65

5,000

44,000

12,000

131,500

11,600

1,330

8,800

15,700

3,700

16,500

34,600

956,010

9,500

910

28,300

14,750

28,500

32,200

380

580

10,600

11,300

1,440

12,000

27,800

15,600

33,000

47,500

13,900

8,200

1,280

2,100

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

65

4,900

44,000

11,900

131,500

11,600

1,340

8,800

15,700

3,700

16,400

34,600

953,765
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1999 5 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

 NY

 PA

 Other States 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL 2

 AR

 FL 2

 GA

 KY 2

 LA 2

 MS 2

 NC

 OK

 TN 2

 TX

 VA 2

 Other States 2 3

 Total

West

 CA

 OR 2

 WA

 Other States 2 4

 Total

US

18,400

33,300

24,700

76,400

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

29,500

32,500

51,000

19,000

30,000

34,000

52,000

69,000

153,000

32,000

51,000

615,500

42,600

26,500

25,700

72,200

167,000

1,192,200

11,000

17,200

8,800

37,000

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

11,500

9,700

14,000

25,000

56,000

216,200

24,400

7,500

85,000

642,200

8,600

9,500

3,650

21,750

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

10,500

7,800

10,000

6,000

17,000

92,000

22,000

6,800

55,160

357,110

38,000

60,000

37,150

135,150

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

45,000

50,000

90,000

30,000

42,000

58,000

83,000

91,000

226,000

49,000

61,200

923,700

89,000

39,500

40,000

138,660

307,160

2,191,510 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 1999 6 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

 NY

 PA

 Other States 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL 2

 AR

 FL 2

 GA

 KY 2

 LA 2

 MS 2

 NC

 OK

 TN 2

 TX

 VA 2

 Other States 2 3

 Total

West

 CA

 OR 2

 WA

 Other States 2 4

 Total

US

1,800

2,100

1,575

5,475

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

1,800

3,000

3,900

1,800

3,800

2,300

6,900

4,800

22,000

2,800

5,350

64,700

3,000

1,700

2,600

23,700

31,000

134,975

2,200

2,500

1,310

6,010

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

3,300

2,400

1,900

14,100

45,500

93,730

7,300

2,800

77,500

285,640

3,800

3,100

2,000

8,900

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

9,200

5,900

5,200

13,000

64,000

128,300

18,200

10,300

183,650

533,150

7,800

7,700

4,885

20,385

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

10,600

11,300

13,900

8,200

11,600

9,400

34,000

11,900

131,500

8,800

11,280

286,730

28,500

17,200

15,700

230,750

292,150

953,765 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 1999 7 NASS, USDA

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1997

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

Number Number Number Number

Northeast

 NY

 PA

 Other States 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL 2

 AR

 FL 2

 GA

 KY 2

 LA 2

 MS 2

 NC

 OK

 TN 2

 TX

 VA 2

 Other States 2 3

 Total

West

 CA

 OR 2

 WA

 Other States 2 4

 Total

US

18,700

33,300

24,050

76,050

27,700

31,500

27,500

24,200

28,500

29,500

62,700

13,500

8,500

40,600

7,000

33,600

334,800

35,000

26,500

29,500

31,900

53,000

19,500

30,000

35,000

52,700

69,000

154,000

32,000

49,900

618,000

42,000

26,000

24,300

69,900

162,200

1,191,050

11,000

17,200

9,100

37,300

27,800

22,000

38,500

27,300

17,000

30,500

36,500

23,300

14,000

27,500

15,500

26,700

306,600

12,000

9,600

14,000

24,000

54,000

216,000

25,000

7,800

86,060

645,960

8,300

9,500

3,900

21,700

23,500

12,500

32,000

13,500

7,500

21,000

10,800

18,200

9,000

10,900

10,000

18,700

187,600

10,500

7,500

10,000

6,300

17,000

89,800

20,000

6,900

54,400

353,500

38,000

60,000

37,050

135,050

79,000

66,000

98,000

65,000

53,000

81,000

110,000

55,000

31,500

79,000

32,500

79,000

829,000

49,000

49,000

45,000

49,000

91,000

30,000

42,000

59,000

83,000

91,000

225,000

49,000

61,800

923,800

87,000

39,000

39,000

137,660

302,660

2,190,510 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 1999 8 NASS, USDA

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1997

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

 NY

 PA

 Other States 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL 2

 AR

 FL 2

 GA

 KY 2

 LA 2

 MS 2

 NC

 OK

 TN 2

 TX

 VA 2

 Other States 2 3

 Total

West

 CA

 OR 2

 WA

 Other States 2 4

 Total

US

1,900

2,100

1,475

5,475

1,700

1,500

1,800

3,800

2,000

3,100

7,300

2,100

3,500

2,800

2,100

2,800

34,500

4,000

2,200

1,800

3,000

4,000

1,800

3,700

2,400

7,000

4,800

22,000

2,800

5,400

64,900

3,000

1,700

2,500

23,300

30,500

135,375

2,200

2,500

1,400

6,100

6,000

4,100

9,500

16,000

2,900

8,700

11,500

12,700

14,000

4,800

14,800

4,900

109,900

3,300

2,500

2,000

14,000

45,500

93,985

7,300

2,900

78,500

288,485

3,700

3,100

2,000

8,800

20,100

10,000

21,700

27,700

5,500

17,300

11,300

31,600

22,200

7,300

27,100

8,800

210,600

9,300

5,800

5,100

13,000

64,000

128,500

18,400

10,300

184,250

532,150

7,800

7,700

4,875

20,375

27,800

15,600

33,000

47,500

10,400

29,100

30,100

46,400

39,700

14,900

44,000

16,500

355,000

9,600

14,800

10,600

11,300

13,900

8,200

11,700

9,500

34,000

12,000

131,500

8,800

11,485

287,385

28,700

17,500

15,700

231,350

293,250

956,010 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 1999 9 NASS, USDA

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1996

State

and

Region

Economic Sales Class

Total $1,000-

$9,999

$10,000-

$99,999

$100,000

& Over

Number Number Number Number

Northeast

 NY

 PA

 Other States 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL 2

 AR

 FL 2

 GA

 KY 2

 LA 2

 MS 2

 NC

 OK

 TN 2

 TX

 VA 2

 Other States 2 3

 Total

West

 CA

 OR 2

 WA

 Other States 2 4

 Total

US

18,600

32,600

24,650

75,850

27,000

30,000

27,000

23,500

29,800

29,000

61,500

12,800

7,400

39,000

6,000

32,900

325,900

35,000

26,500

29,500

32,000

52,000

19,000

30,000

34,000

50,200

68,000

151,000

32,000

49,300

608,500

41,500

25,500

24,200

66,350

157,550

1,167,800

11,200

17,200

8,500

36,900

28,500

23,000

41,000

28,500

17,000

31,500

38,200

25,000

15,100

28,600

17,000

27,400

320,800

12,500

9,700

15,000

25,500

56,000

227,400

26,000

7,700

88,500

673,600

8,200

9,200

3,800

21,200

23,500

13,000

31,000

13,000

7,200

21,500

10,300

18,200

9,500

10,400

9,500

18,700

185,800

10,500

7,300

10,000

6,300

17,000

88,100

18,500

7,100

54,000

349,100

38,000

59,000

36,950

133,950

79,000

66,000

99,000

65,000

54,000

82,000

110,000

56,000

32,000

78,000

32,500

79,000

832,500

49,000

49,500

45,000

49,000

92,000

30,000

42,000

59,000

82,000

91,000

224,000

49,000

62,500

924,000

86,000

38,500

39,000

136,550

300,050

2,190,500 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 1999 10 NASS, USDA

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,

Region, and United States, 1996

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

 NY

 PA

 Other States 1

 Total

North Central

 IL

 IN

 IA

 KS

 MI

 MN

 MO

 NE

 ND

 OH

 SD

 WI

 Total

South

 AL 2

 AR

 FL 2

 GA

 KY 2

 LA 2

 MS 2

 NC

 OK

 TN 2

 TX

 VA 2

 Other States 2 3

 Total

West

 CA

 OR 2

 WA

 Other States 2 4

 Total

US

1,900

2,100

1,490

5,490

1,700

1,400

1,800

3,800

2,200

3,100

7,300

2,100

3,400

2,800

2,100

2,700

34,400

4,100

2,200

1,800

2,900

4,000

1,800

3,600

2,400

7,300

4,800

22,000

2,800

5,990

65,690

3,100

1,700

2,500

20,910

28,210

133,790

2,200

2,500

1,400

6,100

6,400

4,300

10,600

16,800

3,100

9,000

11,900

13,300

14,500

5,200

15,700

5,100

115,900

3,500

2,700

2,100

14,000

46,000

95,500

7,600

3,100

79,700

297,200

3,700

3,000

2,035

8,735

19,800

9,900

20,600

26,900

5,300

17,100

10,900

31,000

22,000

6,900

26,200

8,800

205,400

9,200

5,800

5,000

12,700

64,000

127,500

18,300

10,100

186,050

527,685

7,800

7,600

4,925

20,325

27,900

15,600

33,000

47,500

10,600

29,200

30,100

46,400

39,900

14,900

44,000

16,600

355,700

9,700

14,900

10,700

11,400

14,000

8,300

11,900

9,500

34,000

12,000

132,000

8,800

11,490

288,690

29,000

17,500

15,700

231,760

293,960

958,675 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 1999 11 NASS, USDA

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

Class, United States, 1996-98

Economic

Sales

Class

Percent of Total Average Size Farm

(Acres) Farms Land

1996 1996 1996

 $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

26.2

14.5

12.6

10.5

9.4

10.9

9.5

3.8

2.6

100.0

4.3

4.4

5.3

6.0

7.5

17.5

25.3

13.8

15.9

100.0

72

133

184

250

349

703

1,166

1,589

2,676

438

1997 1997 1997

 $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

27.4

14.6

12.4

9.9

9.0

10.6

9.0

4.1

3.0

100.0

4.4

4.4

5.4

5.8

7.4

17.0

24.0

14.2

17.4

100.0

70

132

190

256

359

700

1,164

1,512

2,531

436

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

27.6

14.7

12.1

9.9

8.9

10.5

8.9

4.3

3.1

100.0

4.3

4.4

5.5

5.8

7.3

16.8

23.5

14.8

17.6

100.0

68

130

198

255

357

696

1,149

1,498

2,471

435
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1999 12 NASS, USDA

Average Farm Size: By State and United States, 1996-98

State 1996 1997 1998

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

198

1,673

3,582

301

337

1,102

93

211

238

233

267

504

353

236

333

731

152

277

182

161

95

196

356

283

274

2,208

829

2,300

145

88

2,910

205

161

1,247

191

415

455

129

87

200

1,354

132

589

760

206

180

403

176

210

3,761

438

196

1,625

3,582

302

330

1,102

93

209

236

231

262

490

352

236

337

731

153

273

183

169

95

196

359

279

274

2,141

844

2,300

140

86

2,923

205

161

1,260

189

410

449

128

87

200

1,354

132

584

773

202

180

403

176

209

3,761

436

194

1,625

3,582

298

320

1,092

93

215

236

226

262

490

352

236

340

731

154

273

186

168

95

200

361

276

274

2,091

844

2,300

135

86

2,831

205

162

1,274

186

410

435

128

87

196

1,354

131

582

773

200

180

393

176

210

3,761

435
Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1999 13 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 and the Fall Agricultural Survey using sampling procedures to ensure

every farm operator had a chance of being selected. Two samples of farm operators are selected for June, while

only the area sample is surveyed in the Fall. First, NASS maintains a list of farms which are classified and

sampled by size and type. Larger farms are selected with greater frequency but all farms are represented. A second

sample, used in June and the Fall consists of area segments of land scientifically selected from aerial photography. 

Each June and December, highly trained interviewers locate each selected land segment and identify every farm

operating land within the sample segment's boundaries. The names associated with those farms found in the area

segments are matched against the list of farms; those 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 number of farms and land in farms.

Beginning in 1995, interviewers counted operations 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. Beginning in 1997 the Fall Agricultural Survey was added to estimate all operations qualifying as a farm

during the year. 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 are a continuing effort

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 1993-98

estimates. This change ensured comparability between the Census of Agriculture data and the annually published

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

the official estimates show a level difference in the number of farms between 1992 and 1993 in some States.

Estimation Procedures: National, Regional, and State data were 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 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 1993-97 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 2.2 to 3.5

percent for number of farms and 2.6 to 7.9 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 1999 14 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 farms.

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.
The next "Farms and Land in Farms" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on February 18, 2000.

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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