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What state has the greatest percentage of beginning farmers?

The answer is in the 2017 Census of Agriculture, released by USDA on April 11.

April 12, 2019

1 Min Read
YoungFarmersInSoybeanField
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The 2017 Census of Agriculture was released April 11.

Related content: Average age of U.S. farmer climbs to 57.5 years

Here’s a few findings from the report.

Beginning farmers

Alaska ranks first in the percent of producers who are beginning farmers, followed by Georgia and Maine. Beginning farmers have 10 or fewer years of farming experience. In 2017, 27% of all U.S. producers classified as beginning farmers. Their average age was 46.3, and their farms were smaller than average in both acres and sales.

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Farmer age

The average age of all U.S. producers in 2017 was 57.5 years, up 1.2 years from 2012, when the last Census was conducted. This continues a long-term trend. Producers had been on their current farm an average of 21.3 years. On average, producers are older in southern states and younger in Midwestern states.

041119AverageAgeProducers770.jpg

Internet access

In 2017, 75% of all U.S. farms had internet access, up from 70% in 2012. Rates are higher in northern and western states.

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Source: USDA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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