Farm Producers

ACH17-2/April 2019

Highlights Revised census questions provide expanded demographic information

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus

Total Producers

In 2017, the total number of U.S. 

producers was 3.4 million, a 6.9 percent 

increase over 2012, as more farms 

reported multiple individuals involved 

in farm decision making. In 2017, the 

majority of farms (54 percent) reported 

more than one person as producer. In 

2012, the majority (56 percent of farms) 

identified only one producer. 

While the number of male producers 

declined 1.7 percent, the number of 

female producers increased nearly 27 

percent, underscoring the effectiveness 

of the attempt to better represent 

all people involved in farm decision 

making. 

2012 2017

 %

change

(millions)

All 3.18 3.40 +6.9

Male 2.21 2.17 -1.7

Female 0.97 1.23 +26.6

The 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire substantially revised the 

demographic data collected in order to better capture the contributions 

of all persons involved in farm operations and agricultural production. 

The revised questions, which identified a producer as someone involved in 

making decisions for the farm, led to more people identifying as producers. 

The 2017 Census also collected data on young producers, new and beginning 

producers, and (for the first time) those with military service.

Male producers had higher 

rates of involvement in land 

use and/or crop decisions and 

livestock decisions than female 

producers. 

Female producers were most 

involved in day-to-day decisions 

and record keeping and/or

financial management. 

The total number of producers increased nearly 7 percent between 2012 and 2017. The number 

of farms with only one producer declined; all categories of farms with two or more producers 

increased.

Farms by Number of Producers, 2012 and 2017 (thousands)

1 producer 2 producers 3 producers 4 producers

1,181

932

786

931

111 112

21 48 10 20

5 + producers

2012 2017

Farm Decision Making by Type of Decision and Sex of Producer, 2017

(percent of category)

Male

Female

78

92 Day-to-day

55

Estate planning or 57

succession planning

74

Record keeping and/or 75

nancial management

55

65 Livestock

59

Land use and/or 83

crop decisions

3.4 million 

producers

57.5 years 

average age 

2 million 

farms

For a video on What’s New in the 2017 

Census?, see www.nass.usda.gov/

Newsroom/Video_Features/index.php.
Snapshot of U.S. Producers, 2017

U.S. total = 3,399,834

% of 

total

Male 64

Female 36

Age <35 8

Age 35-64 58

Age 65+ 34

10 years or less farming 27

11 years or more farming 73

Lived on their farm 74

Did not work off farm 39

Worked off farm 1 to 199 days 21

Worked off farm 200+ days 40

Primary occupation farming 42

Primary occupation other than farming 58

With military service 11

Hispanic 3

American Indian/Alaska Native 1.7

Asian 0.6

Black 1.3

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.1

White 95.4

More than one race 0.8

Producers by Ethnicity and Race

Consistent with Office of Management and Budget specifications for federal statistical 

agencies, the Census of Agriculture asked separate questions for ethnicity and race. 

Average Age Continues to Rise 

The average age of all U.S. farm producers in 2017 was 57.5 years, up 1.2 years from 2012, 

continuing a long-term trend of aging in the U.S. producer population. Producers also tend to 

be experienced; they had been on their current farm an average of 21.3 years.

Average Age of Producers by County, 2017

U.S. = 57.5

< 56.0

56.0 - 56.9

57.0 - 57.9

58.0 - 58.9

59.0 - 59.9

60 +

On average, 

producers are older 

in southern states 

and younger in 

Midwestern states.

3.2 million producers 

are white, 95 percent 

of the U.S. total.

Source: USDA NASS, 2017 Census of Agriculture.

Demographics in the 

Census of Agriculture

The Census of Agriculture, conducted 

once every five years, is a complete 

count of U.S. farms and ranches 

and the people who operate them. 

Demographic information is available 

at national, state, and county levels, 

as well as for classes of farm and 

congressional districts. 

Results from the 2017 Census, as well 

as previous censuses, are available 

online. See the searchable database 

Quick Stats, the new and easy-to-use 

Census Data Query Tool, downloadable 

PDF reports, maps, and a variety of 

topic-specific products. 

Highlights featuring demographic 

groups and profiles by race, ethnicity, 

and sex will become available 

throughout 2019. 

www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Military Service 

Accounting for 11 percent of the U.S. total, 

370, 619 producers had served or were 

serving in the U.S. military in 2017. They are 

largely male (95 percent) and a full decade 

older than producers as a whole. 

They are experienced farmers, with 

81 percent having farmed eleven years 

or more. For more than half of them 

(52 percent), farming is their primary 

occupation.

At the county level, the share of producers 

with military service is highest in the 

southeastern United States.

Beginning Producers 

Beginning farmers have ten or fewer 

years of farming experience. They were 

27 percent of U.S. producers in 2017. 

Their average age was 46.3, and their 

farms were smaller than average in both 

acres and sales.

Top States % 

Alaska 46

Georgia 33

Maine 33

Hawaii 32

Florida 31

Rhode Island 31

West Virginia 31

New Hampshire 31 67.9 Colorado 31

Average age of producers 

with military service.

As a percent of 

producers in the 

state, Alaska 

ranks first in 

beginning 

farmers.

More than one race 26,749

Native Hawaiian/Pacic Islander 3,018

Black 45,508

Asian 22,016

American Indian/Alaska Native 58,199

Hispanic (anyrace) 112,451