Topic/focus: Demographics, Other Year(s): 1850 - 2012 (online) Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Study and sample characteristics: Survey of farms or ranches Universe: Farms or ranches that sold or normally would have sold $1,000 or more in agricultural products during the census year Variables: Varies based on year Access: Publicly available Cost: Free to download Key web links: Census of Agriculture and National Agricultural Statistics Service Primary Institutional Contact: EDRC Coordinator (tchelius@mcw.edu)
Summary: The Census of Agriculture, taken every five years, is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. For Census purposes, a farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year.