Census of Ag: Farm Related Income Higher

How has Washington agriculture changed over the past couple of years?

Chris Mertz with NASS said if you look at the 2017 Census of Ag, which was published earlier this year, one of the biggest notes for the Evergreen state was the drop in both the total numbers of farms and the number of acres.

“But we also showed increases in the value of production, we showed increases in female producers, and it kind of tells a story when we do our Census of Agriculture of what has actually changed from the previous [Census].”

Mertz noted the average size of farm in Washington increased in 2017.  Also on the way up, was the farm related income.

“It includes some agritourism, it includes some indemnity payments for insurance, it includes some custom work they may do for other operations.  So, there are other ways that producers are earning some money that goes directly to their farm.”

Statewide, Washington has 63,298 producers, of those 26,868 are female.  Taking a look at how the ages breakdown:

• 4,141 producers are up 35 years of age
• 37,125 producers are between 35-64 years of age
• 22,032 producers are 65 years of age and older

Of all farms, 84% in Washington have internet access, 29% hire farm labor, and 95% are family farms.

Mertz added he’s very grateful to the Northwest Ag community for their willingness to participate in these surveys, which provides NASS and the industry with very important data.  As far as 2020 surveys are concerned, Mertz said the two big ones are the Census of Horticulture as well as the Horticultural Study.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com