Report in a Snapshot

The 2022 Census of Agriculture (AgCensus) is out, and it has shed some light on the changing profile of agricultural operators. In this report, we present information for producers with military service and discuss changes between the 2017 and 2022 data.

1) Primary Occupation: While 46% of producers consider farming their main job, a significant 54% are involved in other professions, balancing farming with additional responsibilities.

2) Off-farm Occupation: Approximately one-third of these producers spend over 200 days a year in off-farm employment, emphasizing the dual roles many balance alongside their agricultural endeavors.

3) Experience: The range of experience is broad among producers: 10% have been farming for 5 years or less, 16% for 6 to 10 years, and a substantial 74% boast over a decade of involvement in farming. This diversity suggests a blend of fresh perspectives and deep-rooted expertise within the community.

4) Decision Making: Day-to-day decisions are the most common, engaging 23% of producers, while strategic areas such as marketing, which now includes 14% of producers, and estate planning, at 12%, highlight shifting priorities and the evolving nature of farm management.

Visit the Farm Labor website to find publications in the series for selected subgroups including young producers, female producers and new and beginning producers.

See PDF for the full report.