Most people know that the 2012 census is out, here are some of the fun facts according to the Washington State Dairy Federation: 2012 Census of Agriculture
The below is a first glance analysis of some of the key data points for Washington state. In WA, land in farms declined by 224,000 acres to 14,748,120 acres, a decline of 1.5% from 2007. … The average WA farm size grew by 15 acres to 396 acres. WA farm numbers show a 5% decline since 2007, down 2,035 to 37,249 in 2012. The number of 1-9 acre WA farms increased 14% to 10,559 and now makes up nearly 30% of all farms.
Farms 10 to over 1000 acres all saw declines. WA farms in the 500-999 acre category saw the biggest decline (down almost 13%) to 1,508 farms. The market value of WA agricultural products sold grew by nearly 35% to over $9 billion.
WA farms in the economic class of $1,000,000 or more grew by 344 farms, the only increase in economic class numbers. WA farming as a primary occupation declined by 2%
WA farmers under 25 grew by nearly 25% to 181. This age category makes up half a percent of all farmers in WA. WA farmers 25-64 all saw declines, while farmers 65 and older grew.
WA Latino origin famers saw an increase of 14% to 1,874 farmers. This demographic now represents 5% of all farmers, up from 4% in 2007.
The average age of WA farmers increased from 57 in 2007 to 58.8 in 2012.
The below is a first glance analysis of some of the key data points for Washington state. In WA, land in farms declined by 224,000 acres to 14,748,120 acres, a decline of 1.5% from 2007. … The average WA farm size grew by 15 acres to 396 acres. WA farm numbers show a 5% decline since 2007, down 2,035 to 37,249 in 2012. The number of 1-9 acre WA farms increased 14% to 10,559 and now makes up nearly 30% of all farms.
Farms 10 to over 1000 acres all saw declines. WA farms in the 500-999 acre category saw the biggest decline (down almost 13%) to 1,508 farms. The market value of WA agricultural products sold grew by nearly 35% to over $9 billion.
WA farms in the economic class of $1,000,000 or more grew by 344 farms, the only increase in economic class numbers. WA farming as a primary occupation declined by 2%
WA farmers under 25 grew by nearly 25% to 181. This age category makes up half a percent of all farmers in WA. WA farmers 25-64 all saw declines, while farmers 65 and older grew.
WA Latino origin famers saw an increase of 14% to 1,874 farmers. This demographic now represents 5% of all farmers, up from 4% in 2007.
The average age of WA farmers increased from 57 in 2007 to 58.8 in 2012.
Toni Meacham Attorney At Law 