In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) released preliminary findings from the 2012 census. Conducted every five years, the Ag Census provides the most comprehensive data available about agriculture in Vermont and across the nation. These early census show Vermont agriculture is trending in a positive direction. Some highlights:
• The overall number of farms in Vermont has increased by 5 percent in the last five years, from 6,984, to 7,338.
• Vermont agricultural land base has also increased 1 percent in the past five years, from 1,233,313 acres to 1,251,713 acres
• The overall market value of Vermont agricultural products sold has grown 15 percent, from $673,713,000 to $776,105,000.
• More women are farming: the number of farms principally operated by females is up 12 percent and make up 22 percent of Vermont's principal farm operators.
• There's also been a slight increase in the number of minority-operated farms.
Other findings of note:
• The farming population is aging – in 2007, the average age of a Vermont farmer was 56.5 years, today, the average age is 57.3 years old.
• However, new farmers are joining the ranks - there has been a 22 percenr increase of farmers in the 25-34 year age bracket. The number of new farmers, those who've been on their farms less than 10 years, has also increased. New farmers accounted for 28 percent of Vermont principal farm operators compared to 26 percent in 2007.
• Almost half of farmers still have other jobs – only 51 percent of Vermont farm operators say farming is their primary occupation. This is an increase from 2007, when less than half (49.5 percent) of farm operators reported farming as their primary occupation.
The USDA is expected to release the full report later this spring.