We've developed a story map that describes the contribution of US Agriculture to America over its history.
Here's the link: https://ow.ly/yplY50YibRp
Story Map Summary
The definition of a farm in America varies widely, encompassing everything from rural tractors and ranch horses to urban vertical farming and backyard chickens. It also includes family traditions, community-supported agriculture, and city plots, but the U.S. Census of Agriculture takes a more formal approach, identifying a farm as any place producing or selling $1,000 or more of agricultural products in a census year. The Census, conducted every five years, provides essential data on agricultural operations nationwide, helping stakeholders make informed decisions and shape policy.
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, America has nearly 1.9 million farms and ranches spread across diverse landscapes. Farms vary dramatically in size, with the largest operations accounting for a significant proportion of farmland, while small farms make up the majority of operations but occupy little land. Geographic distribution follows the physical geography of the country, with dense concentrations in the Midwest, Texas, and California. Producers—over 3.4 million—are distributed similarly, but the industry faces demographic challenges, including an aging workforce and a need for more young farmers, especially in regions offering incentives for new entrants.
U.S. agricultural production is immense, with over $543 billion in sales in 2022, split roughly evenly between crops and livestock. Five commodities—cattle and calves, corn, poultry and eggs, soybeans, and milk—dominate sales, with California leading overall agricultural revenue. Regional specialization is evident, with areas focusing on either crops or livestock, and high-value production hotspots scattered nationwide. The Census data not only highlights the economic importance of agriculture locally and globally but also provides resources for exploring trends and visualizing the evolving landscape of American farming.
