--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20240213-usda-census-highlights-the-consolidation-of-minnesota-farms/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # USDA census highlights the consolidation of Minnesota farms Publication Date: 2024-02-14T00:00:46-05:00 Last Updated: 2024-02-13T23:44:06-05:00 Author: Timothy Bueno (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/timbueno/) Categories: [Corporate](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/corporate/) ![Aerial view of american Midwestern farm, corn field at harvesting season (September). Rural landscape, countriside, early sunny morning](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aerial-view-of-american-midwestern-farm-corn-field-at-harvesting-season-september-rural-landscape-countriside-early-sunny-morning-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg) New census reveals a declining number of farms but an increase in average farm size and income. The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agricultural census highlights a significant shift in Minnesota’s farming landscape, with farms growing in size but decreasing in number. The census, conducted every five years and tracking producers earning over $1,000 annually, shows the average Minnesota farm expanded to 388 acres in 2022, an increase from 371 acres in 2017. Nationally, farm consolidation continues, with fewer farms and a reduction in farmland, as USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack noted. The concern raised by Vilsack questions the nation’s comfort with the ongoing loss of farms and farmland, urging a reconsideration of current agricultural practices. Minnesota, in particular, saw a notable decrease in the number of farms, dropping to 65,531 from over 68,000, alongside a nearly 1,500 reduction in dairy farms, albeit with an increase in dairy cow numbers. Despite these closures, the income for the remaining farms surged, with the average net cash income in 2022 reaching $141,869, significantly higher than the $65,753 reported in 2017. However, this income boost is tempered by rising expenses, including fuel, fertilizer, and rental land costs. The price of Minnesota farmland has also risen sharply, now averaging over $6,000 an acre, compared to less than $5,000 five years ago. This increase reflects the broader economic pressures facing the agricultural sector, from production costs to market dynamics. Demographically, the average Minnesota farmer in 2022 was male, 57.1 years old, and predominantly white, a profile that has remained relatively unchanged since the previous census. Efforts to diversify the farming community, including supporting younger and farmers of color, are ongoing, with state and federal initiatives aimed at lowering entry barriers for new entrants. On a broader scale, the national picture mirrors Minnesota’s trends, with a decrease of 142,000 farms and nearly 20 million acres of farmland since 2017. The average farm income, however, has risen, and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, such as cover cropping, has seen significant growth. Tags: [agriculture](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/agriculture/), [farmers](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/farmers/), [farmland](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/farmland/), [farms](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/farms/), [Minnesota](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/minnesota/), [United States](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/united-states/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.