USDA Census shows fewer family farms in New York State

A recent article in the Messenger Post by Julie Sherwood highlights the latest census data for New York agriculture, which was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in April as part of its 2017 census. The USDA conducts this census every five years. Since 2012:

• New numbers show the state lost more than 2,000 farms over five years, the largest drop in two decades.
• The average net farm income of $42,875 per farm is slightly below the national average.
• There was a nine percent drop in both the smallest and largest farms in terms of value of sales.
• Labor costs for family farms increased nine percent.