February 5, 2009

LANSING - Today Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Don Koivisto applauded the results of the 2007 United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2007 Census of Agriculture, the nation’s largest agricultural information-gathering project, which provided a picture of growth in Michigan’s agriculture sector.

“The Census is the only source of comprehensive agricultural data highlighting the impact agriculture has on every county in Michigan. It demonstrated a pattern of growth and diversity over the last five years, a pattern I know will continue to be a building block in rebuilding Michigan’s economy,” said Koivisto. “The census provides a representation of changes in agriculture over the last five years in Michigan’s second largest economic sector.

Demographic data includes farm numbers by size and value of sales, type of organization, residence on or off the farm, days worked off farm, years on present farm, age group categories, race, and number of persons living in each household.

“The 2007 Census showed a nearly $2 billion increase in farm gate sales since 2002 and that the number of female operators has jumped by nearly 40 percent,” said Koivisto. “Additionally, it highlighted a 19.3 percent increase in Michigan farmers using the Internet to direct market Michigan products to consumers underscoring how technology is changing the face of traditional agriculture.”

Michigan Census data are highlighted for several items below.

• The value of sales was $5.75 billion, up nearly $2 billion from 2002.
• Farm employment totaled 86,000, with a total payroll of $607 million.
• There were approximately 3,000 additional farms, primarily small operations, compared to 2002.
• Nearly 80 percent of farms were less than 180 acres; 3.5 percent were greater than 1,000 acres; and 1 percent were greater than 2,000 acres.
• 4 percent of farms accounted for 68 percent of sales; 61 percent of farms had sales less than $10,000.
• The top commodity sectors in Michigan were: grains, oilseeds, and dry beans; milk and dairy products; nursery, floriculture, and greenhouse.
• The top 5 counties based on sales were Allegan, Ottawa, Huron, Sanilac, and Ionia.
• 87 percent of farms were family operated; 8 percent were partnerships; 4 percent were corporations; and 1 percent were estates.
• Organic production totaled nearly $32 million.
• Direct marketing totaled $37 million; 500 farms sold using Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) arrangements.
• Agri-tourism approached $23 million on 645 farms.
• Roughly one-half of farm operators were at least 55 years old.

Additional information regarding the above highlights and U.S. data can be accessed at www.nass.usda.gov. Questions should be directed to 1-800-453-7501.