By Andi Anderson
The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, shedding light on the state of farming in Illinois. The data encompass demographics, economics, land use, and various activities on farms and ranches across the state.
Hubert Hamer, NASS administrator, emphasizes the significance of the Census of Agriculture, stating, "Census of Agriculture data tell a story." This comprehensive snapshot, taken every five years, allows stakeholders to discern trends, shifts, and business opportunities within the industry.
Key highlights from the 2022 Illinois ag census data include:
- Illinois recorded 71,123 farms and ranches, a 2.1% decrease from 2017, with an average size of 370 acres on 26.3 million acres of farmland.
- Agricultural products generated by Illinois farms and ranches reached $26.4 billion, a notable increase from $17 billion in 2017.
- The average income for Illinois farms was $140,625, contributing to a total income of $27.8 billion, with net income at $10 billion.
- Farms with internet access in Illinois rose from 76.9% in 2017 to 79.1% in 2022.
- Direct-to-consumer sales saw 2,674 Illinois farms, generating $53 million, with a 19.6% increase from 2017.
- Farms with sales of $500,000 or more totaled 11,655, selling $21.8 billion in ag products, while 38,726 farms with sales under $50,000 contributed $327 million.
- The average age of all Illinois producers increased to 58.6, with 10,632 producers under 35, comprising 8.8% of all producers.
- There were 33,927 female producers, accounting for 28% of all Illinois producers.
While embracing consistency with previous ag census results, the 2022 data also introduces new insights into hemp, precision agriculture, and internet access. The full Census of Agriculture report, along with additional data products, is available at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.
Photo Credit: USDA
Categories: Illinois, Business