Ag census shows the number of Oregon farms declining
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 10:07 AM PST
BAKER CITY (AP) — The number of Oregon farms is falling, and fewer young people seem to be entering the business, according to figures from the latest Census of Agriculture.
There were 38,553 farms in the state in 2007 — the year the information was collected — down roughly 4 percent from the prior survey in 2002. Meanwhile, the average age of Oregon’s farmers and ranchers rose to 57.5 years, up from 54.9 in 2002 and slightly older than the U.S. average of 57.1.
The census is done every five years and shows trends in agriculture. It provides facts and figures on various aspects of U.S. agriculture, from the number and types of farm operations to the economics of farm production. The statistics branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture collected the information from nearly every known farmer and rancher in the United States.
It analyzed the information over a 14-month period and released the results this month. Bruce Pokarney, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said the data often forms the basis of decisions, such as where research and grant dollars should be allocated.
Oregon was the one of the few states to show a decrease in the total number of farms. Nationwide, there were more than 2.2 million farms in the U.S., a 4-percent increase from 2002.
Oregon’s decrease occurred among all income categories of farms except those with annual sales of more than $500,000, said Chris Mertz, state director of the Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service. The percentage of principal operators in Oregon reporting something other than farming as their primary occupation has increased to 54 percent.
‘’This is a reversal from the 2002 census, which showed a majority of operators considered farming their primary occupation,’’ Mertz said.
The latest census shows some clear production and sales trends. In Oregon, organic production sales increased nearly 900 percent, from about $9.9 million in 2002 to $88 million in 2007. And farm direct sales through such venues as farm stands and farmers’ markets increased 250 percent, from $21.4 million in 2002 to $56.3 million in 2007.
Overall, the market value of agricultural products sold increased 37 percent in 2007 to $4.3 billion. However, farm production expenses increased 34 percent.
‘’This first glance of the census data reaffirms the strength of Oregon agriculture and its contribution to our state’s economy,’’ said Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. ‘’We still need to keep an eye on a few numbers of concern, including the increasing age of our farmers and ranchers, and if the number of farms and total farm acreage continues to decrease in Oregon.’’
