Purdue News
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June 3, 2004 'Go figures:' Census of Ag says metro farm numbers upWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - New agricultural census numbers indicate some urban Indiana counties are enjoying an agricultural revival, while many rural counties have nearly bought the farm. The 2002 Census of Agriculture shows Marion, Vanderburgh and Hamilton counties - home to Indianapolis, Evansville and one of the state's fastest-growing bedroom communities, respectively - gained farms since the previous census in 1997. Conversely, Knox County, a traditional state leader in agricultural production, saw its farm numbers fall 22 percent in the same five-year period. The full census report was released Thursday (June 3) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Does the agricultural growth in metropolitan counties mean landowners are trading in buildings for barns? Not likely, said Michael Boehlje, a Purdue University agricultural economist. Boehlje said the data can easily be misinterpreted, making it seem that agricultural production is moving back into highly populated regions - or, at least, that the trend toward urbanization is slowing. An accurate reading of the data, however, indicates urban residents may be purchasing farms or small acreages in adjacent rural counties for such activities as raising horses, small herds of beef cows or similar small-scale farming enterprises. A prime example is Hamilton County and its rural neighbor, Tipton County. The census revealed Hamilton County's farm numbers grew from 703 in 1997 to 726 in 2002 - a 3.3 percent increase. Tipton County's total farms fell 21.4 percent, from 458 in 1997 to 360 in 2002. However, Tipton County's 2002 farmland totaled 151,647 acres, compared to Hamilton County's 140,448 acres. In addition, the size of Tipton County farms grew an average of 67 acres in the census period, to 421 acres per farm. The average Hamilton County farm size became smaller, in part because of the proliferation of horse and hobby-type farms. Statewide, Indiana lost nearly 10 percent of its farms from 1997-2002. The census reported 60,296 Hoosier farms in 2002. "Indiana had a 9.6 percent decrease in total farms," said Greg Preston, director of the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service, the state's NASS agency. "As a point of comparison, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky all had 5 to 10 percent decreases in their number of farms. Ohio had a 1.3 percent decrease. On the other hand, Minnesota showed a net gain." Farm acreage also fell statewide, Preston said. Indiana's land devoted to farms was 15.05 million acres in 2002, down 3 percent from 1997. Market value of Indiana agricultural products sold dropped 10 percent, to $4.78 billion in 2002. Preston said drought conditions that year contributed to poorer agricultural production. On the plus side, the average Indiana farm grew 7 percent between 1997 and 2000, to 250 acres. Farmers who consider themselves full-time agricultural producers rose 17 percent. The number of women who are the primary managers of agricultural operations climbed 8 percent. For the first time, the census measured organic farming. Indiana had 132 organic farms in 2002, representing 1,419 acres. Total organic farm sales were $851,000. "Organic farms show a $600 per acre average return. Contrast that with a cash grain or livestock operation's average return of $318 per acre. It's almost double," Preston said. Boehlje said the data could encourage more farmers to consider organic production. "There's an opportunity here for more profit margin," he said. "Of course, organic foods typically cost more to produce, so it's not pure margin." By county, LaGrange led Indiana in total farms, with 1,551. Knox County boasted the largest total farm acreage, at 300,136 acres. Benton County posted the largest average farm size, at 629 acres. Elkhart County was tops statewide in total agricultural sales, at $136.01 million. Carroll County was No. 1 in hogs, at 232,653. Pulaski County garnered champion popcorn producer, at 49.39 million pounds shelled. The Census of Ag is conducted every five years. About 3 million census questionnaires were mailed to farmers across the country. The complete census report is available online. For additional facts and figures about Indiana agriculture, log onto the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service Web site. Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu Sources: Michael Boehlje, (765) 494-4222, boehljem@purdue.edu Greg Preston, (765) 494-8371, gregory_preston@nass.usda.gov Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu Related Web site:
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