The Decline of Small Farms in America

A data-driven look at how family farms are disappearing across the nation

142,000
farms lost since 2017

That's nearly 80 farms closing every single day

70%
of farmland controlled by just 7% of farms
28%
decline in dairy farms over 10 years
42%
of farms are under 50 acres
$1,500
median net farm income for small farms

Farms Are Disappearing

Over the past two decades, the United States has lost hundreds of thousands of farms. Small farms have been hit the hardest, declining steadily while consolidation continues.

Source: USDA Census of Agriculture & NASS Annual Surveys

Source: USDA Census of Agriculture & NASS Annual Surveys

Small Farms, Little Land

While 70% of all farms are under 180 acres, they control less than 8% of farmland. Meanwhile, the largest 7% of farms control over 70% of America's agricultural land.

70%

of farms are under 180 acres

8%

of land owned by small farms

7%

of farms control 70% of land

Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Every Sector Is Struggling

From cattle ranches to dairy farms, vegetable growers to fruit orchards — every major farming category has seen significant declines over the past decade.

2012
2017
2022

Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Dairy farms have declined 28% in just 10 years — the steepest decline of any major category. Small dairy operations simply cannot compete with industrial-scale producers.

A Nationwide Crisis

Farm losses have hit every state. Texas alone has lost over 22,000 farms since 2017. Hover over states to see the local impact.

Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

40,000
Alabama
-6.2% since 2017
1,000
Alaska
-3.1% since 2017
19,000
Arizona
-4.5% since 2017
42,000
Arkansas
-5.8% since 2017
70,000
California
-7.9% since 2017

Help Save Small Farms

Small farms are the backbone of rural America. They preserve local food systems, support biodiversity, and maintain agricultural traditions. Here's how you can help:

American Farmland Trust

Working to save farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land.

National Young Farmers Coalition

Advocating for policy change and supporting the next generation of farmers.

LocalHarvest

Find and support local farms, farmers markets, and CSAs in your area.

USDA Beginning Farmer Resources

Loans, grants, and resources for those starting their farming journey.

Data from the USDA Census of Agriculture. This visualization was created to raise awareness about the challenges facing small farms in America.