Enlightening article, trends in farming, statistics..

Nature_Lover · #1 03/07/09, 02:25 AM

‘Homesteaders’ bring changes to face of U.S. farming

I read this with interest, I'll have to read it again to really absorb the data and try to understand the possible impact on my future.

I must be gullible, (maybe its because I'm 48) but I was most surprised by the last line of the second page:

"•To learn more, go to www.agcensus.usda.gov and backtothecountryfarm.com."

I've never visited either of those links before.

So... how accurate do you think this data is, considering many of the folks who would impact the numbers resolutely refuse to participate in any agcensus?

Do you think that the fact that so many farms are reported to be operated by women is a result of men NOT filling out the census? Women are proud of their accomplishments, maybe hoping for a tax break for minority ownership?
...and is there such a thing?

So anyway, this is what went through my mind as I read the article.

Ken Scharabok · #2 03/07/09, 06:29 AM

I agree with you the numbers in the Ag Census are suspect. Due to a low return rate they extended the deadline at least once. About all they could do is to take what was submitted and draw conclusion from it.

anniew · #3 03/07/09, 07:32 AM

Considering that women live longer than men, and that the average age of farmers is getting higher, it may be possible that there are so many women because their husbands died off.

Freeholder · #4 03/07/09, 12:42 PM

I suspect it's also because so many people live on small farms and are supported by the husband (and/or sometimes the wife) working off the farm, so the wife considers herself the farmer. We have a lot of those here, and then there are the single ladies like me who have to be 'the farmer' because there isn't anyone else to take the title, LOL!

Kathleen

Old Vet · #5 03/07/09, 03:30 PM

What is happening is that regular farmers are around and going strong but now they include 5 acres as a farm sometimes 1 acre.Of course there are more 5 to 20 or less farms on the AG report. So why would you think they would be reported on. Before they used to only include 40 acres or more in the AG report.