Agriculture and Food System Trends in the Appalachian Region: 

2007-2012

July 2015

Prepared for:

Appalachian Regional Commission

1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20009-1068

March 31, 2015

Contract #CO-17932-2014

Prepared by:

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project)

Charlie Jackson

Allison Perrett

Katie Descieux
Copyright ASAP, 2015

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INTRODUCTION

This data brief was produced by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) for the 

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to establish baseline data on trends in local food 

systems in the Appalachian Region. The tabular and graphic contents of the brief show trends in 

the Region’s food and farm sector between 2007 and 2012, including comparisons between 

regional and state groupings of counties, ARC counties to their relative states, and the 

Appalachian Region to national statistics. The purpose of this brief is to provide an overview of 

trends in data; it is not an analysis of the causes or potential effects of changes over time. 

All data for this report come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National 

Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture 

provides a crucial source of information on national agricultural trends, collecting uniform data 

at state and county levels every five years. Nevertheless, the Census of Agriculture is limited in 

that it does not provide contextual, qualitative information to explain data trends particularly at 

smaller local and/or regional scales. Therefore, the data in this document should be viewed in 

light of this limitation - it is just one source of information that can be used to document changes 

in agriculture in the Appalachian Region. 

KEY TERMS

Appalachia/Appalachian Region: The 420-county ARC region. See Appendix A. 

Appalachian State Region: The area of a state in the ARC region that is made up of ARC 

counties. See Appendix B. 

Subregion: One of the five ARC-designated subregions (Northern, North Central, Central, 

South Central, Southern). See Appendix C. 

State(s): Any of the 13 states in the ARC region (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, 

Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

Virginia, West Virginia) 

Maps of the area can be found in the appendices of this report. 
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Table of Contents

TRENDS ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................... 3

TRENDS IN FARMLAND AND FARMS ................................................................................ 3

TRENDS IN FARM OPERATORS ........................................................................................... 9

TRENDS IN DIRECT MARKETING AND AGRI-TOURISM.............................................. 11

TRENDS IN FOOD PRODUCTION AND SALES .................................................................... 19

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................................... 22

APPENDIX A. MAP OF APPALACHIAN COUNTIES ............................................................ 23

APPENDIX B. MAP OF APPALACHIAN STATE REGIONS ................................................. 24

APPENDIX C. MAP OF APPALACHIAN SUBREGIONS ....................................................... 25

APPENDIX D. DATA SUMMARY TABLES ............................................................................ 26

TABLE 1. TRENDS IN FARMS AND FARMLAND ............................................................ 26

TABLE 2. TRENDS IN NUMBER OF FARMS BY SIZE ..................................................... 28

TABLE 3. TRENDS IN NUMERIC CHANGE IN FARMS BY SIZE ................................... 30

TABLE 4. PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN FARMS BY SIZE ................................................. 32

TABLE 5. TRENDS IN OPERATORS.................................................................................... 34

TABLE 6. TRENDS IN DIRECT SALES ............................................................................... 36

TABLE 7. TRENDS IN CSA & AGRI-TOURISM ................................................................. 38

TABLE 8. TRENDS IN FARMLAND BY TYPE ................................................................... 40
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TRENDS ANALYSIS

TRENDS IN FARMLAND AND FARMS

FARMLAND

Nearly all Appalachian counties and subregions saw a reduction in the total number of farmland 

acres between the 2007 and 2012 censuses of agriculture. Overall, the Appalachian Region lost 

858,858 acres. Table 1 shows the subregion, state, Appalachian state region, and county that 

experienced the largest losses in overall acreage of farmland as well as percentage loss.

Table 1. Farmland Losses (2007-2012) 

Total Farmland 

Lost 2007-2012 

(acres)

Percentage of 

Farmland Lost 2007-

2012

Total farmland loss in Appalachia -858,858 -2.2%

Subregion with largest loss: Central -471,535 -7.4%

State with largest loss in acres: Kentucky -943,774 -6.7%

Appalachian state region with largest loss: Kentucky -432,198 -9.2%

County with largest loss: Madison County, KY -173,743 -80%

Farmland loss in the U.S. -7,568,183 -0.8%

Compared to their respective states, Appalachian state regions fared similarly in terms of 

farmland loss. Aggregate farmland acreage loss for the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, 

Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, 

Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia was 2.0%; farmland loss in the respective Appalachian 

state regions in aggregate was just slightly higher at 2.2%. 

Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 show the comparison of farmland acres in 2007 and 2012 at the 

subregion, state, and Appalachian state region levels. Looking at the subregion level, the South 

Central region was the only subregion to increase its farmland acreage between the 2007 and 

2012 censuses, though this increase was relatively small (an additional 141,837 acres, or +2.2%). 

Based on the graph showing Appalachian state level changes in farmland acres, this gain is likely 

almost entirely due to the Appalachian Virginia region. 
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Figure 1. Change in Farmland by Subregion (2007-2012)

Figure 2. Change in Farmland by State (2007-2012)

0

2,000,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

10,000,000

12,000,000

Northern North

Central

Central South

Central

Southern

Subregion Changes in Farmland (2007-2012)

Total acres 2007

Total acres 2012

0

2,000,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

10,000,000

12,000,000

14,000,000

16,000,000

State Level Changes in Farmland Acres (2007-2012)

Total acres 2007

Total acres 2012
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Figure 3. Change in Farmland by Appalachian State Region (2007-2012)

Although the overall trend for Appalachia is farmland loss, it should be noted that at certain 

scales, some Appalachian areas experienced farmland gains. For example, Appalachian Virginia 

(+8.8%), Appalachian Maryland (+6.0%), the South Central subregion (+2.2%), and numerous 

counties including McCreary County, KY (+1,446.2%), Macon County, NC (+166.3%), and 

Bibb County, AL (+47.7%) all reported increases in farmland. 

TOTAL FARMS

As of the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Appalachia was home to 255,910 farms, or 12.1% of the 

nation’s total farms. However, concurrent to the losses in farmland, Appalachia experienced 

losses in the total number of farms in most counties and subregions between the 2007 and 2012 

agricultural censuses. Table 2 shows the subregion, state, Appalachian state region, and county 

that experienced the largest losses in farms.

Table 2. Farm Losses (2007-2012)

Total Farms Lost 

2007-2012

Percentage of 

Farms Lost 

2007-2012

Total farm loss in Appalachia -22,646 -8.1%

Subregion with largest loss: Southern -6,886 -10.3%

State with largest loss: Tennessee -11,230 -14.2%

Appalachian state region with largest loss: Tennessee -6,562 -15.5%

County with largest loss: Madison County, KY -967 -72.8%

Farm loss in the U.S. -95,489 -4.3%

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

Appalachian State Region Changes in Farmland Acres (2007-2012)

Total acres 2007

Total acres 2012
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In total, 8.1% of Appalachian farms were lost between the 2007 and 2012 agricultural censuses, 

which is a higher rate than the respective states’ losses of farms of 7.3%. Similar to the trend 

with farmland, though the overall trend for Appalachia is farm loss, at certain scales some 

Appalachian areas saw an increase in farms. Notable examples include Appalachian Ohio 

(+4.1%), McCreary County, KY (+777%), and Wayne County, PA (+17.9%). In fact, of the 420 

ARC counties, 84 saw increases in farm numbers between 2007 and 2012 (20% of all ARC 

counties). 

Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6 show these patterns of farm changes at the state, Appalachian 

state region, and subregion levels. Both the state and subregion level graphs clearly show the 

pattern of farm losses across the board. The Appalachian state region graph closely mirrors the 

state level graph, save for Appalachian Ohio with its singular increase in farms.

Figure 4. Change in Farms by Subregion (2007-2012)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

Northern North Central Central South Central Southern

Subregion Changes in Farms (2007-2012)

Total farms 2007

Total farms 2012
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Figure 5. Change in Farms by State (2007-2012)

Figure 6. Change in Farms by Appalachian State Region (2007-2012)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

State Level Changes in Farms (2007-2012)

Total farms 2007

Total farms 2012

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

Appalachian State Region Changes in Farms 

(2007-2012)

Total farms 2007

Total farms 2012
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FARM SIZES

Farm size has particular relevance for local food production and system building. According to 

the USDA report Trends in U.S. Local and Regional Food Systems Report to Congress, the 

majority of farms selling to local markets (especially local direct markets like farmers markets 

and roadside stands) are small farms (Low et al., 2015). As shown in Figure 7, for all 

Appalachian subregions the majority of farms, 78.9%, are small farms of less than 180 acres -

which is considered very small by national standards where the average farm size is 434 acres. 

Figure 7. Subregion Level Distribution of Farms by Size (2012)

Table 3 shows changes in farm numbers by farm size for the whole of Appalachia and the U.S. 

between 2007 and 2012. The table clarifies that of the 8.1% of farms in Appalachia that were lost 

between 2007 and 2012, the vast majority were small farms of less than 180 acres. The exception 

to this pattern of loss are farms of 1,000 acres or more, which increased by 7%. 

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

Northern North Central Central South Central Southern

Subregion Level Distribution of Farms by Size (2012)

1 to 9 acres

10 to 49 acres

50 to 179 acres

180 to 499 acres

500 to 999 acres

1,000+ acres
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Table 3. Changes in Farm Numbers by Farm Size for Appalachia and the U.S. (2007-2012)

Total Change in Farms 2007-2012 Percentage Change in Farms 

2007-2012

Appalachia U.S. Appalachia U.S.

1 to 9 acres -3,059 -9,215 -16.2% -4.0%

10 to 49 acres -10,493 -30,734 -11.5% -5.0%

50 to 179 acres -7,438 -26,483 -6.6% -4.0%

180 to 499 acres -1,730 -22,330 -4.0% -6.1%

500 to 999 acres -194 -7,158 -2.2% -4.8%

1,000+ acres +268 +431 +7.0% +0.2%

TRENDS IN FARM OPERATORS

Given the loss in farmland and farms between 2007 and 2012, it is unsurprising that overall 

Appalachia experienced a 3.9% loss in the number of farm operators. This loss follows the 

national trend; between 2007 and 2012 the United States experienced a three percent drop in 

total farm operators. Table 4 highlights the Appalachian subregion, state, Appalachian state 

region, and county that had the greatest losses in farm operators. 

Table 4. Farm Operator Losses (2007-2012) 

Total 

Operators Lost 

2007-2012

Percentage of 

Operators Lost 

2007-2012

Total operator loss in Appalachia -16,204 -3.9%

Subregion with largest loss: Southern -8,740 -9.0%

State with largest loss: Tennessee -15,441 -13.2%

Appalachian state region with largest loss: Tennessee -8,205 -13.1%

County with largest loss: Washington County, VA -1,235 -47.4%

Farm operator loss in the U.S. -104,092 -3.1%

Even though the Appalachian Region lost operators overall, Table 5 shows that the distribution 

of the ages of remaining farmers remained relatively stable. That is, the proportion of farmers in 

each age category changed very little over the time period from 2007-2012. The same is true for 

the United States as a whole (though an exact comparison cannot be made as the age categories 

reported at the county level differ from those reported at the national level). This trend is 

especially important with regard to young Principal Operators1 under 35 years of age. These 

young farmers as a proportion of all farmers did not vary too much between the past two 

censuses, despite a concerted effort to grow the number of young, beginning farmers by 

government programs such as the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The 

USDA estimates that 70% of farmland will transfer owners in the next twenty years, yet many 

 

1 The person primarily responsible for the on-site, day-to-day operation of the farm or ranch business
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family owned farming operations do not have a next generation of farmers to transfer that 

ownership (Parsons et. al 2010). 

Table 5. Change in Proportion of Principal Operators by Age Group (2007-2012) 

Northern North 

Central

Central South 

Central

Southern All Appalachia

Under 25 0.0% -0.1% 0.0% -0.1% -0.1% -0.1%

25-34 -0.1% -0.1% -0.2% 0.4% 0.4% 0.1%

35-44 -2.8% -2.4% -2.3% -1.8% -1.9% -2.3%

45-54 -3.4% -2.7% -2.3% -2.5% -4.3% -2.9%

55-59 -0.4% -0.1% -0.2% 0.5% 0.7% 0.1%

60-64 1.1% 1.5% 1.2% 1.5% 0.7% 1.2%

65-69 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 0.4% 1.1% 1.1%

70+ 4.1% 2.5% 2.5% 1.6% 3.4% 2.7%

In 2012, young farmers under 35 years of age made up only 5.2% of all Principal Operators in 

Appalachia, which is slightly lower than the national average of 5.7%. Nearly a quarter (22%) of 

all farmers in Appalachia are between the ages of 45 and 54; nearly half (48%) are 60 or older. 

The skew towards higher numbers of older farmers has made the average age of Principal 

Operators in Appalachia 58.8, up from 57.2 in 2007, which is older than the national average of 

58.3 (up from 57.1 in 2007). Table 6 provides a comparative look into the oldest and youngest 

regions for Principal Operators in Appalachia. 

Table 6. Average Age of Principal Operators: Oldest and Youngest (2012) 

Average Age of Principal 

Operator (2012)

Average age of principal operators in Appalachia 58.8

Subregion with youngest average: Northern

Subregion with the oldest average: Southern

57.5

59.8 

State with youngest average: Pennsylvania

State with oldest average: Mississippi

56.1

60.4 

Appalachian state region with youngest average: Maryland

Appalachian state region with oldest average: Mississippi

56.9

61.3 

County with youngest average: Holmes County, Ohio

County with oldest average: Mingo County, WV

48.7

70.0 

Average age of principal operator in the U.S. 58.3
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TRENDS IN DIRECT MARKETING AND AGRI-TOURISM

DIRECT SALES

Of all the data provided in the USDA Census of Agriculture, figures related to direct sales to 

consumers - including the value of products sold directly to individuals (e.g., farmers’ markets 

and roadside stands), through CSAs2, and/or directly to retail outlets - and agri-tourism provide 

the most relevant information on the strength and prevalence of local food system activities and 

local food economies. 

Compared to non-Appalachian counties in the ARC states and the United States as a whole, 

Appalachian counties’ trends in direct market activities and sales meet or exceed the norm across 

the board. Table 7 shows that in terms of direct sales per capita and percentage increases in direct 

sales from 2007 to 2012, Appalachia did better than non-Appalachian counties in their home 

states, as well as the country as a whole. For example, between 2007 and 2012 direct sales in 

Appalachia grew at nearly three times the national rate and almost one and a half times the rate 

of non-Appalachian counties. On average, Appalachian residents also spend more per capita on 

goods from direct sales markets than do their national or non-ARC state counterparts at $5.30 

compared to $3.87 in the non-ARC counties of ARC states, or the national average of $4.17. 

Table 7. Local Food System Measures and Comparisons (2007 and 2012)* 

Appalachia Non-ARC Counties 

in ARC States

United States

Direct sales to consumers, 2012 $137,257,000 $298,235,000 $1,309,827,000

Direct sales to consumers per capita,

2012

$5.30 $3.87 $4.17

Direct sales to consumers percentage 

change, 2007 to 2012

+22.5% +16.4% +8.1%

Percentage of all farms engaged in directto-consumer sales, 20127.8% 7.8% 6.9%

Percentage of all farms engaged in CSA, 

2012

0.6% 0.8% 0.6%

Percentage of all farms engaged in directto-retail sales, 20122.4% 3.0% 2.3%

*Sales figures have not been adjusted for inflation

To provide a closer look at direct sales in Appalachia, Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the total dollar 

value of direct-to-consumer sales by subregion and Appalachian state regions and the per capita 

value of these sales by Appalachian state regions. The Northern subregion contains the greatest 

numbers of farms engaged in direct-to-consumer sales at 8,121 farms, as well as the highest sales

at $70,530,000. This high participation is largely due to farms in Pennsylvania. Figure 10, 

 

2 Community supported agriculture (CSA; sometimes known as community-shared agriculture) is an alternative, locally-based 

economic model of agriculture and food distribution. Typically, CSA members or subscribers pay at the onset of the growing 

season for a share of the anticipated harvest; once harvesting begins, they periodically receive shares of produce. 
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however, shows that when it comes to the per capita value of direct-to-consumer sales New York 

and Maryland far outpace the rest of the ARC region at $16.12 and $15.32 in 2012, respectively.

Figure 8. Value of Direct-to-Consumer Sales by Subregion (2007 & 2012)

Figure 9. Value of Direct-to-Consumer Sales by Appalachian State Region (2007 & 2012)

 $-

 $10,000,000

 $20,000,000

 $30,000,000

 $40,000,000

 $50,000,000

 $60,000,000

 $70,000,000

 $80,000,000

Northern North

Central

Central South

Central

Southern

Value of Direct-to-Consumer Sales

2007 2012

$0

$5,000,000

$10,000,000

$15,000,000

$20,000,000

$25,000,000

$30,000,000

$35,000,000

$40,000,000

$45,000,000

Value of Direct-to-Consumer Sales

2007 2012
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Figure 10. Per Capita Value of Direct-to-Consumer Sales by Appalachian State Region (2012)

It is likely that the high direct-to-consumer sales and engagement in the Northern region is the 

result of the large population centers located there. 

The Census of Agriculture records direct sales figures based on the location of the farm that 

produced the goods and not the location of the sales. There is an important reciprocal 

relationship between rural areas and nearby population centers. Cities like New York, Pittsburgh, 

Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Atlanta provide nearby farmers with a large consumer 

base in a centralized area. It is unsurprising then that the Appalachian New York and 

Pennsylvania counties experienced higher sales per farm, and higher sales in general than 

Appalachian counties without nearby large cities (as seen in Mississippi or Alabama). 

Looking specifically at the proportion of all farms that engage in direct-to-consumer sales, 

Figure 11 shows that a greater proportion of Appalachian farms rely on direct-to-consumer sales 

than the nation’s farms as a whole. In 2007, 6.9 percent of Appalachian farms conducted directto-consumer sales compared to the national figure of 6.2 percent. In 2012 this figure rose to 7.8 

percent of Appalachian farms engaged in direct-to-consumer sales compared to the national 

average of 6.9 percent.

$0.00

$2.00

$4.00

$6.00

$8.00

$10.00

$12.00

$14.00

$16.00

$18.00

Per capita value
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Figure 11. Appalachian and U.S. Farms Engaged in Direct-to-Consumer Sales (2007 & 2012) 

In addition to reporting direct sales to individuals, for the first time the 2012 Census of 

Agriculture asked farmers to report if they sold goods directly to retail outlets. This includes 

sales directly to area restaurants or institutions like hospitals, school systems, or prisons. For 

2012, the Census reports that 2.4 percent of Appalachian farms engaged in direct-to-retail sales, 

as compared to 2.3 percent nationally. Figure 12 shows that for both Appalachia and the nation 

as a whole, a much larger proportion of farms sell directly to individual customers (through 

direct markets) than sell directly to retail outlets. 

Farms Engaged 

in Direct-toConsumer Sales

Farms Not 

Engaged

Appalachian Region

United States

Farms Engaged 

in Direct-toConsumer Sales

Farms Not 

Engaged

2007 2012

2007 2012
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Figure 12. Appalachian and U.S. Farms Engaged in Direct-to-Retail Sales (2012) 

The census does not currently provide sales data associated with direct-to-retail figures, therefore 

no calculation of the economic impact of these business relationships can be established using 

Census of Agriculture data. 

CSA FARMS AND AGRI-TOURISM

A total of 1,461 farms (0.57%) in Appalachia reported selling community supported agriculture 

(CSA) shares in 2012, which is almost identical to the national average of 0.6%. This is only a 

slight increase from the 0.54% that participated in CSA programs in Appalachia in 2007. Though 

some pockets of Appalachia had higher participation rates, in general a very small percentage of 

Appalachian farmers operate CSA programs. Table 8 provides a breakdown of the areas of 

Appalachia with the highest participation rates in CSA programs.

Table 8. CSA Program Participation Rates in Appalachia (2012) 

Total Farms 

Operating a CSA 

Program

Percentage of Farms 

Operating a CSA 

Program

All of Appalachia 1,461 0.57%

Subregion with highest participation: Northern 484 0.74%

State with highest participation: New York 578 1.6%

Appalachian state region with highest participation: 

New York

138 1.25%

County with highest participation: Swain County, NC 8 8.5%

CSA program participation rates in the U.S. 12,617 0.6%

A somewhat more popular form of additional farm revenue among Appalachian farmers is agritourism, or income from recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, farm or wine tours, hay 

rides, etc. Just over one percent (1.18%) of farms in Appalachia reported offering agri-tourism 

Appalachian Region

Farms Engaged 

in Direct-toRetail Sales

Farms Not 

Engaged

2012 United States
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activities on their farm in 2012. Like CSA programs, agri-tourism is more popular in some areas 

of Appalachia than others, as shown in Table 9. 

Table 9. Agri-tourism Participation Rates in Appalachia (2012) 

Total Farms 

Engaged in Agritourism

Percentage of Farms 

Engaged in Agritourism

All of Appalachia 3,033 1.19%

Subregion with highest participation: South Central 819 1.46%

State with highest participation: Maryland 307 2.50%

Appalachian state region with highest participation: 

North Carolina

396 2.48%

County with highest participation: Cameron County, 

Pennsylvania

5 7.14%

Agri-tourism farm participation rates in the U.S. 33,161 1.57%

The Census of Agriculture does not provide any data on the value of sales or derived income 

from farm CSA programs, but it does provide these figures for agri-tourism. In 2012 

Appalachian farmers reported $40,872,000 in income from agri-tourism related activities. This 

represents just 0.2% of all agricultural receipts for Appalachia as a whole. 

Figures 13 through 16 provide information on the number of farms engaged in agri-tourism and 

on relative income from agri-tourism activities at the subregion and Appalachian state region 

levels. Based on a subregion analysis, while the Northern and Southern subregions had similar 

numbers of farms participating in agri-tourism, the income generated from these activities by 

farms in the Northern region was much higher. The Appalachian state region level comparison in 

Figure 16 further emphasizes these differences, where states like Pennsylvania clearly generate 

more agri-tourism income per farm than do states further south like Kentucky, Alabama, and 

Mississippi. Again, though the exact reason for these differences cannot be determined from 

census data, possible causes are a mixture of the presence (or absence) of large population 

centers, tourism rates, the popularity of cultural trends around food (i.e., foodies), participation 

rates in local or organic food movements, and income levels, most of which favor northern 

communities. 
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Figure 13. Farms Engaged in Agri-tourism by Subregion (2007 & 2012)

Figure 14. Income from Agri-tourism Activities by Subregion (2007 & 2012)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Northern North Central Central South Central Southern

Agri-tourism farms

2007 2012

$0

$2,000,000

$4,000,000

$6,000,000

$8,000,000

$10,000,000

$12,000,000

$14,000,000

$16,000,000

$18,000,000

Northern North

Central

Central South

Central

Southern

Income from Agri-tourism

2007 2012
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Figure 15. Farms Engaged in Agri-tourism by Appalachian State Region (2007 & 2012)

Figure 16. Income from Agri-tourism Activities by Appalachian State Region (2007 & 2012)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Agri-tourism farms

2007 2012

$0

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

$5,000,000

$6,000,000

$7,000,000

$8,000,000

$9,000,000

Income from Agri-tourism

2007 2012
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TRENDS IN FOOD PRODUCTION AND SALES

Fruit and vegetable production is a natural starting place for local food systems development. 

Figure 17 shows the relationship between direct sales in dollars and total vegetable, fruit, and 

tree nut sales for each subregion. The figures are for 2012; data from 2007 are almost identical 

and therefore are not shown. Though direct sales can include products outside of produce like 

meats, cheeses, or eggs, what this graph shows is that the majority of fresh fruits, tree nuts, and 

vegetables that are produced in Appalachia are not sold through direct-to-consumer marketing. 

Likely, large quantities of produce are grown and shipped out of the Region.

Figure 17. Comparison of Direct Sales Dollars to Total Fruit, Tree Nut, and Vegetable Sales 

by Subregion (2012)

Even with the appreciable sales of fresh fruit and vegetables produced in Appalachia, produce is 

a small component of agricultural production in Appalachia. Instead, meat, poultry, and non-food 

items like nursery crops or grains for animal feed make up the bulk of agricultural sales in each 

of the Appalachian subregions, as depicted in Figure 18.

$0

$20,000,000

$40,000,000

$60,000,000

$80,000,000

$100,000,000

$120,000,000

Northern North Central Central South Central Southern

Direct-to-consumer sales Total fruit, tree nut, and vegetable sales
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Figure 18. Comparison of Vegetable, Fruit, and Tree Nut Sales to All Other Agricultural 

Sales by Subregion (2012)

2%

0.91%

97%

South Central

1% 0%

99%

Central

1% 0.31

%

99%

Southern

2% 3%

95%

Northern

1% 2%

97%

North Central

Vegetable sales

Fruit and tree nut sales

All other agricultural sales
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This pattern is not uncommon. Nationally, only 6% of farms grow fruits, tree nuts, berries and/or 

vegetables as their primary crops; 30% of these farms are in California. 
Copyright ASAP, 2015

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BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Low, Sarah A., Aaron Adalja, Elizabeth Beaulieu, Nigel Key, Steve Martinez, Alex Melton, 

Agnes Perez, Katherine Ralston, Hayden Stewart, Shellye Suttles, Stephen Vogel, and 

Becca B.R. Jablonski. Trends in U.S. Local and Regional Food Systems, AP068, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, January 2015. 

Parsons, R., Ruhf, K., Stevenson, G.W., Baker, J., Bell, M., Epley, E., Gilbert, J., Hinton, C. and 

Keller, J. 2010. Research Report and Recommendations from the FarmLASTS Project. 

University of Vermont. 

United States Department of Agriculture. 2007 Census of Agriculture. Edited by Cynthia Clark. 

National Agricultural Statistics Service. National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2009. 

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Full_Report/index.asp. 

United States Department of Agriculture. 2012 Census of Agriculture. Edited by Tom Vilsack 

and Cynthia Clark. National Agricultural Statistics Service. National Agricultural 

Statistics Service, 2014. http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/#full_report. 
Copyright ASAP, 2015

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APPENDIX A. MAP OF APPALACHIAN COUNTIES
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APPENDIX B. MAP OF APPALACHIAN STATE REGIONS
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APPENDIX C. MAP OF APPALACHIAN SUBREGIONS
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APPENDIX D. DATA SUMMARY TABLES 

TABLE 1. TRENDS IN FARMS AND FARMLAND

Number of Farms

Numeric 

Change in 

Farms

Percent 

Change in 

Farms Farmland (acres)

Numeric Change 

in Farmland 

(acres)

Percent 

Change in 

Farmland

2007 2012 2007-2012 2007-2012 2007 2012 2007-2012 2007-2012

United States 2,204,7922,109,303 -95,489 -4.3%922,095,840914,527,657 -7,568,183 -0.8%

Appalachian 

Region 278,556 255,910 -22,646 -8.1% 38,305,252 37,446,394 -858,858 -2.2%

Subregions

Northern 

Appalachia 68,652 65,442 -3,210 -4.7% 9,858,768 9,736,240 -122,528 -1.2%

North Central 

Appalachia 36,424 34,834 -1,590 -4.4% 5,671,844 5,608,535 -63,309 -1.1%

Central Appalachia 45,491 40,583 -4,908 -10.8% 6,393,483 5,921,948 -471,535 -7.4%

South Central 

Appalachia 61,384 55,332 -6,052 -9.9% 6,570,953 6,712,790 141,837 2.2%

Southern 

Appalachia 66,605 59,719 -6,886 -10.3% 9,810,204 9,466,881 -343,323 -3.5%

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 

1 million +) 24,617 21,149 -3,468 -14.1% 3,002,704 2,793,068 -209,636 -7.0%

Small Metros (pop. 

<1 million) 81,371 73,623 -7,748 -9.5% 9,612,049 9,343,350 -268,699 -2.8%

Nonmetro, 

Adjacent to Large 

Metros 38,945 35,455 -3,490 -9.0% 5,707,965 5,523,735 -184,230 -3.2%

Nonmetro, 

Adjacent to Small 

Metros 79,699 74,029 -5,670 -7.1% 11,285,549 11,111,978 -173,571 -1.5%

Rural (nonmetro, 

not adj. to a metro) 53,924 51,654 -2,270 -4.2% 8,696,985 8,674,263 -22,722 -0.3%

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed 40,481 37,724 -2,757 -6.8% 7,000,068 6,696,707 -303,361 -4.3%

At-Risk 70,934 64,548 -6,386 -9.0% 9,340,755 9,257,377 -83,378 -0.9%

Transitional 157,242 144,558 -12,684 -8.1% 20,844,030 20,394,534 -449,496 -2.2%

Competitive 8,787 7,956 -831 -9.5% 977,676 941,013 -36,663 -3.8%

Attainment 1,112 1,124 12 1.1% 142,723 156,763 14,040 9.8%

Alabama 48,753 43,223 -5,530 -11.3% 9,033,537 8,902,654 -130,883 -1.4%

Appalachian 

Alabama 31,799 27,710 -4,089 -12.9% 4,557,952 4,404,080 -153,872 -3.4%

Non-Appalachian 

Alabama 16,954 15,513 -1,441 -8.5% 4,475,585 4,498,574 22,989 0.5%

Georgia 47,846 42,257 -5,589 -11.7% 10,150,539 9,620,836 -529,703 -5.2%

Appalachian 

Georgia 15,608 13,878 -1,730 -11.1% 1,493,690 1,437,111 -56,579 -3.8%

Non-Appalachian 

Georgia 32,238 28,379 -3,859 -12.0% 8,656,849 8,183,725 -473,124 -5.5%

Kentucky 85,260 77,064 -8,196 -9.6% 13,993,121 13,049,347 -943,774 -6.7%

Appalachian 

Kentucky 31,604 28,653 -2,951 -9.3% 4,685,076 4,252,878 -432,198 -9.2%

Non-Appalachian 

Kentucky 53,656 48,411 -5,245 -9.8% 9,308,045 8,796,469 -511,576 -5.5%

Maryland 12,834 12,256 -578 -4.5% 2,051,756 2,030,745 -21,011 -1.0%

Appalachian 

Maryland 1,823 1,818 -5 -0.3% 246,222 261,058 14,836 6.0%
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Non-Appalachian 

Maryland 11,011 10,438 -573 -5.2% 1,805,534 1,769,687 -35,847 -2.0%

Mississippi 41,959 38,076 -3,883 -9.3% 11,456,241 10,931,080 -525,161 -4.6%

Appalachian 

Mississippi 13,157 12,093 -1,064 -8.1% 3,218,150 3,114,425 -103,725 -3.2%

Non-Appalachian 

Mississippi 28,802 25,983 -2,819 -9.8% 8,238,091 7,816,655 -421,436 -5.1%

New York 36,352 35,537 -815 -2.2% 7,174,743 7,183,576 8,833 0.1%

Appalachian New 

York 11,452 11,003 -449 -3.9% 2,115,373 2,102,549 -12,824 -0.6%

Non-Appalachian 

New York 24,900 24,534 -366 -1.5% 5,059,370 5,081,027 21,657 0.4%

North Carolina 52,913 50,218 -2,695 -5.1% 8,474,671 8,414,756 -59,915 -0.7%

Appalachian North 

Carolina 16,678 15,951 -727 -4.4% 1,403,871 1,410,832 6,961 0.5%

Non-Appalachian 

North Carolina 36,235 34,267 -1,968 -5.4% 7,070,800 7,003,924 -66,876 -0.9%

Ohio 75,861 75,462 -399 -0.5% 13,956,563 13,960,604 4,041 0.0%

Appalachian Ohio 26,345 27,422 1,077 4.1% 3,907,411 3,918,197 10,786 0.3%

Non-Appalachian 

Ohio 49,516 48,040 -1,476 -3.0% 10,049,152 10,042,407 -6,745 -0.1%

Pennsylvania 63,163 59,309 -3,854 -6.1% 7,809,244 7,704,444 -104,800 -1.3%

Appalachian 

Pennsylvania 42,459 38,978 -3,481 -8.2% 5,649,446 5,521,277 -128,169 -2.3%

Non-Appalachian 

Pennsylvania 20,704 20,331 -373 -1.8% 2,159,798 2,183,167 23,369 1.1%

South Carolina 25,867 25,266 -601 -2.3% 4,889,339 4,971,244 81,905 1.7%

Appalachian South 

Carolina 6,041 6,038 -3 0.0% 540,412 511,265 -29,147 -5.4%

Non-Appalachian 

South Carolina 19,826 19,228 -598 -3.0% 4,348,927 4,459,979 111,052 2.6%

Tennessee 79,280 68,050 -11,230 -14.2% 10,969,798 10,867,812 -101,986 -0.9%

Appalachian 

Tennessee 42,336 35,774 -6,562 -15.5% 4,438,851 4,347,522 -91,329 -2.1%

Non-Appalachian 

Tennessee 36,944 32,276 -4,668 -12.6% 6,530,947 6,520,290 -10,657 -0.2%

Virginia 47,383 46,030 -1,353 -2.9% 8,103,925 8,302,444 198,519 2.4%

Appalachian 

Virginia 15,636 15,103 -533 -3.4% 2,351,192 2,558,526 207,334 8.8%

Non-Appalachian 

Virginia 31,747 30,927 -820 -2.6% 5,752,733 5,743,918 -8,815 -0.2%

West Virginia 

(entire state) 23,618 21,489 -2,129 -9.0% 3,697,606 3,606,674 -90,932 -2.5%

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 
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TABLE 2. TRENDS IN NUMBER OF FARMS BY SIZE

Number of Farms by Size in Appalachia, 2012

1 to 9 acres10 to 49 acres50 to 179 acres180 to 499 acres500 to 999 acres1,000+ acres

United States 223,634 589,549 634,047 346,038 142,555 173,480

Appalachian Region 15,804 80,496 105,596 41,303 8,616 4,095

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 4,456 17,228 28,980 11,528 2,340 910

North Central Appalachia 1,587 9,313 15,553 6,473 1,303 605

Central Appalachia 1,993 11,964 17,400 7,222 1,410 594

South Central Appalachia 3,764 21,420 20,932 7,081 1,464 671

Southern Appalachia 4,004 20,571 22,731 8,999 2,099 1,315

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 1,673 7,212 8,564 2,822 601 277

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 5,365 26,298 29,178 9,938 1,949 895

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 2,036 10,523 15,071 5,807 1,319 699

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 3,908 22,152 30,918 13,300 2,642 1,109

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 2,822 14,311 21,865 9,436 2,105 1,115

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed 1,680 9,912 16,289 7,327 1,650 866

At-Risk 3,420 21,233 26,527 10,288 2,043 1,037

Transitional 9,927 46,263 59,015 22,549 4,716 2,088

Competitive 695 2,738 3,325 943 166 89

Attainment 82 350 440 196 41 15

Alabama 2,919 13,267 16,079 7,238 2,230 1,490

Appalachian Alabama 1,923 9,420 10,600 4,157 1,019 591

Non-Appalachian Alabama 996 3,847 5,479 3,081 1,211 899

Georgia 3,025 13,834 14,671 6,334 2,284 2,109

Appalachian Georgia 1,066 5,878 4,961 1,598 258 117

Non-Appalachian Georgia 1,959 7,956 9,710 4,736 2,026 1,992

Kentucky 4,337 23,776 31,151 13,024 2,848 1,928

Appalachian Kentucky 1,443 8,208 12,244 5,305 1,018 435

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 2,894 15,568 18,907 7,719 1,830 1,493

Maryland 1,481 4,554 3,695 1,594 553 379

Appalachian Maryland 180 520 661 377 58 22

Non-Appalachian Maryland 1,301 4,034 3,034 1,217 495 357

Mississippi 1,697 9,017 14,871 8,002 2,323 2,166

Appalachian Mississippi 386 2,425 5,269 2,704 731 578

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 1,311 6,592 9,602 5,298 1,592 1,588

New York 2,901 8,668 13,544 7,446 1,872 1,106

Appalachian New York 625 2,354 4,601 2,604 556 263

Non-Appalachian New York 2,276 6,314 8,943 4,842 1,316 843

North Carolina 4,155 20,014 17,260 5,387 1,706 1,696

Appalachian North Carolina 1,542 7,086 5,629 1,355 236 103

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 2,613 12,928 11,631 4,032 1,470 1,593

Ohio 6,796 24,220 26,890 11,291 3,674 2,591

Appalachian Ohio 1,632 8,183 12,347 4,015 822 423

Non-Appalachian Ohio 5,164 16,037 14,543 7,276 2,852 2,168

Pennsylvania 5,575 17,721 24,841 8,750 1,768 654

Appalachian Pennsylvania 2,680 10,432 17,460 6,628 1,330 448

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 2,895 7,289 7,381 2,122 438 206

South Carolina 2,135 8,996 8,364 3,731 1,121 919

Appalachian South Carolina 629 2,848 1,901 540 91 29

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 1,506 6,148 6,463 3,191 1,030 890

Tennessee 3,230 23,563 27,037 10,464 2,268 1,488

Appalachian Tennessee 1,906 13,513 14,272 4,805 893 385
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Non-Appalachian Tennessee 1,324 10,050 12,765 5,659 1,375 1,103

Virginia 3,343 14,425 16,850 7,864 2,173 1,375

Appalachian Virginia 836 4,501 5,959 2,758 710 339

Non-Appalachian Virginia 2,507 9,924 10,891 5,106 1,463 1,036

West Virginia (entire state) 956 5,128 9,692 4,457 894 362

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 
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TABLE 3. TRENDS IN NUMERIC CHANGE IN FARMS BY SIZE

Numeric Change in the Number of Farms by Size in Appalachia, 2007-2012

1 to 9 acres10 to 49 acres50 to 179 acres180 to 499 acres500 to 999 acres1,000+ acres

United States -9,215 -30,734 -26,483 -22,330 -7,158 431

Appalachian Region -3,017 -10,227 -7,508 -1,759 -240 232

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 18 -1,688 -1,275 -329 15 49

North Central Appalachia -375 -333 -581 -234 -79 12

Central Appalachia -455 -1,284 -2,325 -753 -140 49

South Central Appalachia -1,666 -3,306 -1,024 -9 -3 83

Southern Appalachia -539 -3,616 -2,303 -434 -33 39

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) -382 -1,752 -1,064 -210 -27 -33

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) -1,268 -4,089 -2,220 -453 -40 8

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros -356 -1,638 -1,032 -488 -44 68

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros -730 -2,193 -2,013 -271 -94 72

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) -281 -555 -1,179 -337 -35 117

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed -254 -468 -1,427 -537 -104 33

At-Risk -1,007 -2,654 -2,074 -317 -64 171

Transitional -1,625 -6,560 -3,811 -981 -43 22

Competitive -135 -475 -245 49 -23 -2

Attainment 4 -70 49 27 -6 8

Alabama -455 -2,948 -1,729 -374 -5 -19

Appalachian Alabama -354 -2,302 -1,315 -143 19 6

Non-Appalachian Alabama -101 -646 -414 -231 -24 -25

Georgia -479 -2,409 -1,573 -1,098 -186 156

Appalachian Georgia -187 -1,106 -409 -26 -21 19

Non-Appalachian Georgia -292 -1,303 -1,164 -1,072 -165 137

Kentucky -242 -1,459 -4,228 -2,056 -394 183

Appalachian Kentucky -113 -401 -1,611 -668 -179 21

Non-Appalachian Kentucky -129 -1,058 -2,617 -1,388 -215 162

Maryland -73 -35 -372 -125 14 13

Appalachian Maryland 22 13 -54 -5 12 7

Non-Appalachian Maryland -95 -48 -318 -120 2 6

Mississippi -359 -1,217 -1,648 -621 40 -78

Appalachian Mississippi -101 -263 -480 -216 -17 13

Non-Appalachian Mississippi -258 -954 -1,168 -405 57 -91

New York -13 -131 -303 -293 -142 67

Appalachian New York 6 -8 -313 -134 -33 33

Non-Appalachian New York -19 -123 10 -159 -109 34

North Carolina -846 -758 -570 -399 -156 34

Appalachian North Carolina -387 -443 87 21 -12 7

Non-Appalachian North Carolina -459 -315 -657 -420 -144 27

Ohio -971 -141 1,081 101 -346 -123

Appalachian Ohio -99 419 999 -130 -88 -24

Non-Appalachian Ohio -872 -560 82 231 -258 -99

Pennsylvania -26 -2,546 -1,208 -49 -48 23

Appalachian Pennsylvania -49 -1,890 -1,514 -98 53 17

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 23 -656 306 49 -101 6

South Carolina 165 37 -669 -250 62 54

Appalachian South Carolina 103 55 -99 -49 -14 1

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 62 -18 -570 -201 76 53

Tennessee -2,584 -5,833 -2,551 -383 -19 140

Appalachian Tennessee -1,536 -3,202 -1,325 -342 -83 53
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Non-Appalachian Tennessee -1,048 -2,631 -1,226 -41 64 87

Virginia -187 -752 -739 87 188 50

Appalachian Virginia -71 -478 -427 255 137 51

Non-Appalachian Virginia -116 -274 -312 -168 51 -1

West Virginia (entire state) -251 -621 -1,047 -224 -14 28

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 
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TABLE 4. PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN FARMS BY SIZE

Percent Change in the Number of Farms by Size in Appalachia, 2007-2012

1 to 9 acres10 to 49 acres50 to 179 acres180 to 499 acres500 to 999 acres1,000+ acres

United States -4.0% -5.0% -4.0% -6.1% -4.8% 0.2%

Appalachian Region -16.0% -11.3% -6.6% -4.1% -2.7% 6.0%

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 0.4% -8.9% -4.2% -2.8% 0.6% 5.7%

North Central Appalachia -19.1% -3.5% -3.6% -3.5% -5.7% 2.0%

Central Appalachia -18.6% -9.7% -11.8% -9.4% -9.0% 9.0%

South Central Appalachia -30.7% -13.4% -4.7% -0.1% -0.2% 14.1%

Southern Appalachia -11.9% -15.0% -9.2% -4.6% -1.5% 3.1%

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) -18.6% -19.5% -11.1% -6.9% -4.3% -10.6%

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) -19.1% -13.5% -7.1% -4.4% -2.0% 0.9%

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros -14.9% -13.5% -6.4% -7.8% -3.2% 10.8%

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros -15.7% -9.0% -6.1% -2.0% -3.4% 6.9%

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) -9.1% -3.7% -5.1% -3.4% -1.6% 11.7%

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed -13.1% -4.5% -8.1% -6.8% -5.9% 4.0%

At-Risk -22.7% -11.1% -7.3% -3.0% -3.0% 19.7%

Transitional -14.1% -12.4% -6.1% -4.2% -0.9% 1.1%

Competitive -16.3% -14.8% -6.9% 5.5% -12.2% -2.2%

Attainment 5.1% -16.7% 12.5% 16.0% -12.8% 114.3%

Alabama -13.5% -18.2% -9.7% -4.9% -0.2% -1.3%

Appalachian Alabama -15.5% -19.6% -11.0% -3.3% 1.9% 1.0%

Non-Appalachian Alabama -9.2% -14.4% -7.0% -7.0% -1.9% -2.7%

Georgia -13.7% -14.8% -9.7% -14.8% -7.5% 8.0%

Appalachian Georgia -14.9% -15.8% -7.6% -1.6% -7.5% 19.4%

Non-Appalachian Georgia -13.0% -14.1% -10.7% -18.5% -7.5% 7.4%

Kentucky -5.3% -5.8% -12.0% -13.6% -12.2% 10.5%

Appalachian Kentucky -7.3% -4.7% -11.6% -11.2% -15.0% 5.1%

Non-Appalachian Kentucky -4.3% -6.4% -12.2% -15.2% -10.5% 12.2%

Maryland -4.7% -0.8% -9.1% -7.3% 2.6% 3.6%

Appalachian Maryland 13.9% 2.6% -7.6% -1.3% 26.1% 46.7%

Non-Appalachian Maryland -6.8% -1.2% -9.5% -9.0% 0.4% 1.7%

Mississippi -17.5% -11.9% -10.0% -7.2% 1.8% -3.5%

Appalachian Mississippi -20.7% -9.8% -8.3% -7.4% -2.3% 2.3%

Non-Appalachian Mississippi -16.4% -12.6% -10.8% -7.1% 3.7% -5.4%

New York -0.4% -1.5% -2.2% -3.8% -7.1% 6.4%

Appalachian New York 1.0% -0.3% -6.4% -4.9% -5.6% 14.3%

Non-Appalachian New York -0.8% -1.9% 0.1% -3.2% -7.6% 4.2%

North Carolina -16.9% -3.6% -3.2% -6.9% -8.4% 2.0%

Appalachian North Carolina -20.1% -5.9% 1.6% 1.6% -4.8% 7.3%

Non-Appalachian North Carolina -14.9% -2.4% -5.3% -9.4% -8.9% 1.7%

Ohio -12.5% -0.6% 4.2% 0.9% -8.6% -4.5%

Appalachian Ohio -5.7% 5.4% 8.8% -3.1% -9.7% -5.4%

Non-Appalachian Ohio -14.4% -3.4% 0.6% 3.3% -8.3% -4.4%

Pennsylvania -0.5% -12.6% -4.6% -0.6% -2.6% 3.6%

Appalachian Pennsylvania -1.8% -15.3% -8.0% -1.5% 4.2% 3.9%

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 0.8% -8.3% 4.3% 2.4% -18.7% 3.0%

South Carolina 8.4% 0.4% -7.4% -6.3% 5.9% 6.2%

Appalachian South Carolina 19.6% 2.0% -5.0% -8.3% -13.3% 3.6%

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 4.3% -0.3% -8.1% -5.9% 8.0% 6.3%

Tennessee -44.4% -19.8% -8.6% -3.5% -0.8% 10.4%

Appalachian Tennessee -44.6% -19.2% -8.5% -6.6% -8.5% 16.0%
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Non-Appalachian Tennessee -44.2% -20.7% -8.8% -0.7% 4.9% 8.6%

Virginia -5.3% -5.0% -4.2% 1.1% 9.5% 3.8%

Appalachian Virginia -7.8% -9.6% -6.7% 10.2% 23.9% 17.7%

Non-Appalachian Virginia -4.4% -2.7% -2.8% -3.2% 3.6% -0.1%

West Virginia (entire state) -20.8% -10.8% -9.7% -4.8% -1.5% 8.4%

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 
Copyright ASAP, 2015

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TABLE 5. TRENDS IN OPERATORS

Number of Farm 

Operators

Numeric 

Change in 

Farm 

Operators

Percent 

Change in 

Farm 

Operators

Average Age of 

Principal 

Operator

Average Years 

Operating Any Farm 

by Principal 

Operator

2007 2012 2007-2012 2007-2012 2007 2012 2012

United States 3,337,450 3,233,358 -104,092 -3.1% 57.1 58.3 25.0

Appalachian Region 411,221 395,017 -16,204 -3.9% 57.2 58.8 24.9

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 103,691 102,039 -1,652 -1.6% 56.4 57.5 25.6

North Central Appalachia 54,147 52,693 -1,454 -2.7% 57.6 59.2 25.3

Central Appalachia 65,918 70,241 4,323 6.6% 56.1 57.8 24.4

South Central Appalachia 90,650 81,969 -8,681 -9.6% 58.0 59.4 25.1

Southern Appalachia 96,815 88,075 -8,740 -9.0% 57.8 59.8 24.6

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 36,950 33,300 -3,650 -9.9% 57.4 59.2 24.8

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 120,628 110,374 -10,254 -8.5% 57.4 59.2 25.2

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large 

Metros 58,138 53,844 -4,294 -7.4% 57.2 58.6 25.1

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small 

Metros 117,924 123,127 5,203 4.4% 57.2 58.6 25.0

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a 

metro) 77,581 74,372 -3,209 -4.1% 56.9 58.4 24.5

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed 57,965 63,900 5,935 10.2% 56.9 58.4 24.2

At-Risk 103,649 95,835 -7,814 -7.5% 57.4 59.1 25.1

Transitional 234,766 221,361 -13,405 -5.7% 57.2 58.7 25.1

Competitive 13,175 12,414 -761 -5.8% 58.2 59.0 25.4

Attainment 1,666 1,507 -159 -9.5% 59.4 60.1 25.6

Alabama 70,959 64,054 -6,905 -9.7% 57.6 59.3 24.0

Appalachian Alabama 46,669 41,382 -5,287 -11.3% 57.2 59.0 24.4

Non-Appalachian Alabama 24,290 22,672 -1,618 -6.7% N/A N/A N/A

Georgia 69,060 61,859 -7,201 -10.4% 57.8 59.9 23.7

Appalachian Georgia 23,165 20,904 -2,261 -9.8% 57.4 59.8 24.1

Non-Appalachian Georgia 45,895 40,955 -4,940 -10.8% N/A N/A N/A

Kentucky 123,971 114,210 -9,761 -7.9% 56.5 57.6 25.1

Appalachian Kentucky 45,436 51,856 6,420 14.1% 55.8 57.0 23.9

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 78,535 62,354 -16,181 -20.6% N/A N/A N/A

Maryland 20,241 19,469 -772 -3.8% 57.3 59.0 25.7

Appalachian Maryland 2,880 2,849 -31 -1.1% 55.2 56.9 24.6

Non-Appalachian Maryland 17,361 16,620 -741 -4.3% N/A N/A N/A

Mississippi 60,669 55,588 -5,081 -8.4% 58.6 60.4 24.8

Appalachian Mississippi 18,229 16,874 -1,355 -7.4% 59.3 61.3 25.7

Non-Appalachian Mississippi 42,440 38,714 -3,726 -8.8% N/A N/A N/A

New York 57,984 57,022 -962 -1.7% 56.2 57.1 25.5

Appalachian New York 17,915 17,520 -395 -2.2% 56.9 58.2 26.1

Non-Appalachian New York 40,069 39,502 -567 -1.4% N/A N/A N/A

North Carolina 76,832 73,846 -2,986 -3.9% 57.3 58.9 25
Copyright ASAP, 2015

35 

Appalachian North Carolina 24,633 23,830 -803 -3.3% 57.2 59.2 25.0

Non-Appalachian North 

Carolina 52,199 50,016 -2,183 -4.2% N/A N/A N/A

Ohio 114,172 115,743 1,571 1.4% 55.7 56.8 25.9

Appalachian Ohio 39,919 42,538 2,619 6.6% 56.2 57.3 25.0

Non-Appalachian Ohio 74,253 73,205 -1,048 -1.4% N/A N/A N/A

Pennsylvania 94,500 92,341 -2,159 -2.3% 55.2 56.1 24.8

Appalachian Pennsylvania 63,069 60,262 -2,807 -4.5% 56.3 57.4 25.5

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 31,431 32,079 648 2.1% N/A N/A N/A

South Carolina 37,082 37,060 -22 -0.1% 58.5 59.5 23.8

Appalachian South Carolina 8,752 8,915 163 1.9% 58.7 58.7 23.3

Non-Appalachian South 

Carolina 28,330 28,145 -185 -0.7% N/A N/A N/A

Tennessee 117,044 101,603 -15,441 -13.2% 57.8 59.2 25

Appalachian Tennessee 62,481 54,276 -8,205 -13.1% 57.8 59.1 25.1

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 54,563 47,327 -7,236 -13.3% N/A N/A N/A

Virginia 71,281 69,990 -1,291 -1.8% 58.2 59.5 24.7

Appalachian Virginia 23,162 21,633 -1,529 -6.6% 57.7 59.0 25.0

Non-Appalachian Virginia 48,119 48,357 238 0.5% N/A N/A N/A

West Virginia (entire state) 34,720 32,178 -2,542 -7.3% 58.1 59.7 25.4

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 
Copyright ASAP, 2015

36 

TABLE 6. TRENDS IN DIRECT SALES

Farms Reporting 

Direct-toConsumer SalesDirect-to-Consumer

Sales ($1,000 dollars)

Percent Change 

in Direct-toConsumer Sales

Percentage of All 

Farms Engaged 

in Direct-toConsumer Sales

Farms 

Selling 

Directto-Retail

Percentage of 

All Farms 

Engaged in 

Direct-toRetail Sales

2007 2012 2007 2012 2007-2012 2007 2012 2012 2012

United States 136,817 144,530 $1,211,270 $1,309,827 8.1% 6.2% 6.9% 49,043 2.3%

Appalachian Region 19,177 19,883 $112,029 $137,257 22.5% 6.9% 7.8% 6,057 2.4%

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 7,964 8,121 $63,576 $70,530 10.9% 11.6% 12.4% 2,280 3.5%

North Central 

Appalachia 2,898 2,896 $11,031 $16,272 47.5% 8.0% 8.3% 792 2.3%

Central Appalachia 2,035 1,783 $7,547 $7,930 5.1% 4.5% 4.4% 642 1.6%

South Central 

Appalachia 3,520 4,185 $17,652 $25,175 42.6% 5.7% 7.6% 1,644 3.0%

Southern Appalachia 2,760 2,898 $12,223 $17,350 41.9% 4.1% 4.9% 699 1.2%

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 

1 million +) 2,013 1,879 $13,807 $15,869 14.9% 8.2% 8.9% 448 2.1%

Small Metros (pop. 

<1 million) 6,117 6,582 $42,469 $58,518 37.8% 7.5% 8.9% 1,971 2.7%

Nonmetro, Adjacent 

to Large Metros 2,726 2,863 $14,095 $15,782 12.0% 7.0% 8.1% 766 2.2%

Nonmetro, Adjacent 

to Small Metros 5,316 5,516 $29,484 $31,454 6.7% 6.7% 7.5% 1,746 2.4%

Rural (nonmetro, not 

adj. to a metro) 3,005 3,043 $12,174 $15,634 28.4% 5.6% 5.9% 1,126 2.2%

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed 2,100 1,922 $8,734 $8,943 2.4% 5.2% 5.1% 702 1.9%

At-Risk 3,198 3,504 $12,858 $19,029 48.0% 4.5% 5.4% 1,220 1.9%

Transitional 12,820 13,472 $82,476 $98,854 19.9% 8.2% 9.3% 3,891 2.7%

Competitive 1,008 915 $7,701 $9,843 27.8% 11.5% 11.5% 235 3.0%

Attainment 51 70 $260 $856 229.2% 4.6% 6.2% 9 0.8%

Alabama 2,175 2,196 $8,325 $9,183 10.3% 4.5% 5.1% 509 1.2%

Appalachian 

Alabama 1,431 1,394 $5,082 $5,909 16.3% 4.5% 5.0% 265 1.0%

Non-Appalachian 

Alabama 744 802 $3,243 $3,274 1.0% 4.4% 5.2% 244 1.6%

Georgia 1,890 2,177 $13,146 $13,197 0.4% 4.0% 5.2% 610 1.4%

Appalachian 

Georgia 675 767 $3,689 $3,367 -8.7% 4.3% 5.5% 193 1.4%

Non-Appalachian 

Georgia 1,215 1,410 $9,457 $9,830 3.9% 3.8% 5.0% 417 1.5%

Kentucky 3,445 3,438 $15,173 $16,438 8.3% 4.0% 4.5% 1,341 1.7%

Appalachian 

Kentucky 1,390 1,180 $4,889 $5,325 8.9% 4.4% 4.1% 469 1.6%

Non-Appalachian 

Kentucky 2,055 2,258 $10,284 $11,113 8.1% 3.8% 4.7% 872 1.8%

Maryland 1,407 1,276 $21,220 $28,038 32.1% 11.0% 10.4% 539 4.4%

Appalachian 

Maryland 198 224 $3,088 $3,874 25.5% 10.9% 12.3% 78 4.3%

Non-Appalachian 

Maryland 1,209 1,052 $18,132 $24,164 33.3% 11.0% 10.1% 461 4.4%

Mississippi 1,229 1,206 $9,659 $4,284 -55.6% 2.9% 3.2% 349 0.9%
Copyright ASAP, 2015

37 

Appalachian 

Mississippi 303 311 $1,220 $1,211 -0.7% 2.3% 2.6% 119 1.0%

Non-Appalachian 

Mississippi 926 895 $8,439 $3,073 -63.6% 3.2% 3.4% 230 0.9%

New York 5,338 6,342 $77,464 $100,646 29.9% 14.7% 17.8% 2,533 7.1%

Appalachian New 

York 1,600 1,809 $13,813 $17,077 23.6% 14.0% 16.4% 587 5.3%

Non-Appalachian 

New York 3,738 4,533 $63,651 $83,569 31.3% 15.0% 18.5% 1,946 7.9%

North Carolina 3,712 4,475 $29,144 $31,826 9.2% 7.0% 8.9% 2,201 4.4%

Appalachian North 

Carolina 1,237 1,652 $6,238 $10,589 69.7% 7.4% 10.4% 804 5.0%

Non-Appalachian 

North Carolina 2,475 2,823 $22,906 $21,237 -7.3% 6.8% 8.2% 1,397 4.1%

Ohio 6,827 6,612 $54,270 $46,615 -14.1% 9.0% 8.8% 1,802 2.4%

Appalachian Ohio 2,402 2,382 $12,841 $13,620 6.1% 9.1% 8.7% 678 2.5%

Non-Appalachian 

Ohio 4,425 4,230 $41,429 $32,995 -20.4% 8.9% 8.8% 1,124 2.3%

Pennsylvania 7,537 7,577 $75,893 $86,030 13.4% 11.9% 12.8% 2,379 4.0%

Appalachian 

Pennsylvania 4,775 4,718 $37,951 $41,353 9.0% 11.2% 12.1% 1,265 3.2%

Non-Appalachian 

Pennsylvania 2,762 2,859 $37,942 $44,677 17.8% 13.3% 14.1% 1,114 5.5%

South Carolina 1,323 1,581 $12,660 $27,375 116.2% 5.1% 6.3% 495 2.0%

Appalachian South 

Carolina 351 426 $2,232 $6,863 207.5% 5.8% 7.1% 122 2.0%

Non-Appalachian 

South Carolina 972 1,155 $10,428 $20,512 96.7% 4.9% 6.0% 373 1.9%

Tennessee 3,581 3,679 $15,380 $19,182 24.7% 4.5% 5.4% 1,102 1.6%

Appalachian 

Tennessee 2,130 2,240 $10,062 $12,086 20.1% 5.0% 6.3% 623 1.7%

Non-Appalachian 

Tennessee 1,451 1,439 $5,318 $7,096 33.4% 3.9% 4.5% 479 1.5%

Virginia 2,855 3,581 $28,878 $41,728 44.5% 6.0% 7.8% 1,769 3.8%

Appalachian 

Virginia 695 854 $3,834 $5,039 31.4% 4.4% 5.7% 385 2.5%

Non-Appalachian 

Virginia 2,160 2,727 $25,044 $36,689 46.5% 6.8% 8.8% 1,384 4.5%

West Virginia 

(entire state) 1,990 1,926 $7,097 $10,950 54.3% 8.4% 9.0% 469 2.2%

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 
Copyright ASAP, 2015

38 

TABLE 7. TRENDS IN CSA & AGRI-TOURISM

Total Farms Operating 

a CSA Program

Percentage of Farms 

Operating a CSA 

Program

Total Farms Engaged 

in Agri-tourism

Percentage of Farms 

Engaged in Agri-tourism

2007 2012 2007 2012 2007 2012 2007 2012

United States 12,549 12,617 0.57% 0.60% 23,350 33,161 1.06% 1.57%

Appalachian Region 1,512 1,461 0.54% 0.57% 2,015 3,033 0.72% 1.19%

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 392 484 0.57% 0.74% 602 798 0.88% 1.22%

North Central 

Appalachia 229 153 0.63% 0.44% 191 324 0.52% 0.93%

Central Appalachia 227 156 0.50% 0.38% 142 263 0.31% 0.65%

South Central 

Appalachia 322 373 0.52% 0.67% 489 819 0.80% 1.48%

Southern Appalachia 342 295 0.51% 0.49% 591 829 0.89% 1.39%

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 

million +) 147 135 0.60% 0.64% 179 263 0.73% 1.24%

Small Metros (pop. <1 

million) 484 517 0.59% 0.70% 613 945 0.75% 1.28%

Nonmetro, Adjacent to 

Large Metros 191 205 0.49% 0.58% 293 431 0.75% 1.22%

Nonmetro, Adjacent to 

Small Metros 431 375 0.54% 0.51% 567 837 0.71% 1.13%

Rural (nonmetro, not 

adj. to a metro) 259 229 0.48% 0.44% 363 557 0.67% 1.08%

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed 206 166 0.51% 0.44% 320 413 0.79% 1.09%

At-Risk 338 317 0.48% 0.49% 430 787 0.61% 1.22%

Transitional 901 915 0.57% 0.63% 1205 1699 0.77% 1.18%

Competitive 64 60 0.73% 0.75% 59 113 0.67% 1.42%

Attainment 3 3 0.27% 0.27% 1 21 0.09% 1.87%

Alabama 260 184 0.53% 0.43% 591 787 1.21% 1.82%

Appalachian Alabama 149 121 0.47% 0.44% 245 352 0.77% 1.27%

Non-Appalachian 

Alabama 111 63 0.65% 0.41% 346 435 2.04% 2.80%

Georgia 339 261 0.71% 0.62% 602 944 1.26% 2.23%

Appalachian Georgia 116 89 0.74% 0.64% 127 263 0.81% 1.90%

Non-Appalachian 

Georgia 223 172 0.69% 0.61% 475 681 1.47% 2.40%

Kentucky 544 361 0.64% 0.47% 428 651 0.50% 0.84%

Appalachian Kentucky 184 112 0.58% 0.39% 95 164 0.30% 0.57%

Non-Appalachian 

Kentucky 360 249 0.67% 0.51% 333 487 0.62% 1.01%

Maryland 161 119 1.25% 0.97% 231 307 1.80% 2.50%

Appalachian Maryland 15 5 0.82% 0.28% 15 19 0.82% 1.05%

Non-Appalachian 

Maryland 146 114 1.33% 1.09% 216 288 1.96% 2.76%

Mississippi 191 137 0.46% 0.36% 506 497 1.21% 1.31%

Appalachian 

Mississippi 43 40 0.33% 0.33% 170 122 1.29% 1.01%

Non-Appalachian 

Mississippi 148 97 0.51% 0.37% 336 375 1.17% 1.44%

New York 364 578 1.00% 1.63% 575 857 1.58% 2.41%

Appalachian New 

York 88 138 0.77% 1.25% 164 204 1.43% 1.85%
Copyright ASAP, 2015

39 

Non-Appalachian New 

York 276 440 1.11% 1.79% 411 653 1.65% 2.66%

North Carolina 413 579 0.78% 1.15% 602 1135 1.14% 2.26%

Appalachian North 

Carolina 149 183 0.89% 1.15% 191 396 1.15% 2.48%

Non-Appalachian 

North Carolina 264 396 0.73% 1.16% 411 739 1.13% 2.16%

Ohio 424 374 0.56% 0.50% 418 649 0.55% 0.86%

Appalachian Ohio 139 120 0.53% 0.44% 171 322 0.65% 1.17%

Non-Appalachian 

Ohio 285 254 0.58% 0.53% 247 327 0.50% 0.68%

Pennsylvania 379 551 0.60% 0.93% 552 729 0.87% 1.23%

Appalachian 

Pennsylvania 217 272 0.51% 0.70% 332 409 0.78% 1.05%

Non-Appalachian 

Pennsylvania 162 279 0.78% 1.37% 220 320 1.06% 1.57%

South Carolina 193 152 0.75% 0.60% 376 581 1.45% 2.30%

Appalachian South 

Carolina 34 45 0.56% 0.75% 49 92 0.81% 1.52%

Non-Appalachian 

South Carolina 159 107 0.80% 0.56% 327 489 1.65% 2.54%

Tennessee 251 266 0.32% 0.39% 510 616 0.64% 0.91%

Appalachian 

Tennessee 140 160 0.33% 0.45% 242 307 0.57% 0.86%

Non-Appalachian 

Tennessee 111 106 0.30% 0.33% 268 309 0.73% 0.96%

Virginia 335 386 0.71% 0.84% 476 814 1.00% 1.77%

Appalachian Virginia 75 72 0.48% 0.48% 102 209 0.65% 1.38%

Non-Appalachian 

Virginia 260 314 0.82% 1.02% 374 605 1.18% 1.96%

West Virginia (entire 

state) 163 104 0.69% 0.48% 112 174 0.47% 0.81%

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 
Copyright ASAP, 2015

40 

TABLE 8. TRENDS IN FARMLAND BY TYPE

Percentage of All Farmland by Type

Fruit & Tree Nuts Vegetables & Melons Tobacco

2007 2012 2007 2012 2007 2012

United States 0.20% 0.20% 0.51% 0.49% 0.04% 0.04%

Appalachian Region 0.20% 0.10% 0.29% 0.29% 0.14% 0.15%

Subregions

Northern Appalachia 0.46% 0.20% 0.55% 0.47% 0.01% 0.01%

North Central Appalachia 0.11% 0.11% 0.10% 0.09% 0.07% 0.03%

Central Appalachia 0.01% 0.01% 0.08% 0.08% 0.49% 0.50%

South Central Appalachia 0.03% 0.06% 0.23% 0.29% 0.27% 0.33%

Southern Appalachia 0.07% 0.07% 0.33% 0.34% 0.00% 0.00%

County Types

Large Metros (pop. 1 million +) 0.13% 0.11% 0.27% 0.24% 0.19% 0.07%

Small Metros (pop. <1 million) 0.27% 0.24% 0.37% 0.31% 0.14% 0.12%

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Large Metros 0.46% 0.09% 0.28% 0.25% 0.05% 0.04%

Nonmetro, Adjacent to Small Metros 0.03% 0.04% 0.18% 0.19% 0.18% 0.25%

Rural (nonmetro, not adj. to a metro) 0.01% 0.02% 0.37% 0.42% 0.14% 0.15%

County Economic Status, FY 2015

Distressed 0.01% 0.01% 0.18% 0.25% 0.17% 0.18%

At-Risk 0.04% 0.04% 0.27% 0.29% 0.25% 0.30%

Transitional 0.27% 0.15% 0.33% 0.29% 0.09% 0.08%

Competitive 0.14% 0.12% 0.45% 0.36% 0.01% 0.02%

Attainment 0.03% 0.33% 0.08% 0.39% 0.00% 0.00%

Alabama 0.04% 0.03% 0.21% 0.19% 0.00% 0.00%

Appalachian Alabama 0.06% 0.05% 0.18% 0.13% 0.00% 0.00%

Non-Appalachian Alabama 0.02% 0.02% 0.24% 0.24% 0.00% 0.00%

Georgia 0.15% 0.16% 1.27% 1.03% 0.18% 0.10%

Appalachian Georgia 0.06% 0.04% 0.09% 0.12% 0.00% 0.00%

Non-Appalachian Georgia 0.17% 0.18% 1.47% 1.19% 0.21% 0.12%

Kentucky 0.02% 0.02% 0.06% 0.06% 0.63% 0.67%

Appalachian Kentucky 0.01% 0.01% 0.06% 0.05% 0.54% 0.63%

Non-Appalachian Kentucky 0.03% 0.02% 0.06% 0.06% 0.67% 0.70%

Maryland 0.22% 0.19% 1.63% 1.44% 0.02% 0.01%

Appalachian Maryland 0.73% 0.02% 0.28% 0.21% 0.00% 0.00%

Non-Appalachian Maryland 0.15% 0.22% 1.81% 1.62% 0.02% 0.01%

Mississippi (D) 0.01% 0.27% 0.27% 0.00% 0.00%

Appalachian Mississippi 0.00% 0.00% 0.65% 0.72% 0.00% 0.00%

Non-Appalachian Mississippi (D) 0.01% 0.12% 0.09% 0.00% 0.00%

New York 1.39% 1.30% 2.24% 1.89% 0.00% 0.00%

Appalachian New York 1.18% 0.14% 0.64% 0.58% 0.00% 0.00%

Non-Appalachian New York 1.48% 1.78% 2.91% 2.44% 0.00% 0.00%

North Carolina 0.15% 0.13% 1.40% 1.48% 2.01% 1.99%

Appalachian North Carolina 0.06% 0.15% 0.51% 0.64% 0.90% 0.75%

Non-Appalachian North Carolina 0.16% 0.13% 1.58% 1.65% 2.23% 2.24%

Ohio 0.07% 0.06% 0.34% 0.25% 0.03% 0.01%

Appalachian Ohio 0.03% 0.06% 0.18% 0.14% 0.09% 0.05%

Non-Appalachian Ohio 0.09% 0.07% 0.40% 0.30% 0.00% 0.00%

Pennsylvania 0.59% 0.53% 0.71% 0.64% 0.10% 0.12%

Appalachian Pennsylvania 0.31% 0.27% 0.64% 0.56% 0.02% 0.02%

Non-Appalachian Pennsylvania 1.32% 1.20% 0.90% 0.84% 0.33% 0.38%

South Carolina 0.36% 0.36% 0.58% 0.57% 0.41% 0.24%

Appalachian South Carolina 0.63% 0.69% 0.36% 0.35% 0.00% 0.00%

Non-Appalachian South Carolina 0.32% 0.32% 0.61% 0.60% 0.46% 0.27%
Copyright ASAP, 2015

41 

Tennessee 0.02% 0.03% 0.31% 0.30% 0.18% 0.22%

Appalachian Tennessee 0.02% 0.01% 0.17% 0.22% 0.21% 0.31%

Non-Appalachian Tennessee 0.03% 0.04% 0.40% 0.36% 0.17% 0.16%

Virginia 0.24% 0.22% 0.34% 0.27% 0.26% 0.28%

Appalachian Virginia 0.01% 0.06% 0.12% 0.12% 0.10% 0.05%

Non-Appalachian Virginia 0.33% 0.30% 0.44% 0.34% 0.32% 0.38%

West Virginia (entire state) 0.18% 0.18% 0.06% 0.06% 0.01% 0.00%

Data source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007 and 2012