2022 Agriculture Census Shows Decline in U.S. Farms, Rise in Factory Farming

Small and Black-owned farms suffer most as industrial agriculture expands, despite efforts to promote conservation and climate-smart practices.

The 2022 agriculture census reveals a steep decline in the number of American farms, with small and Black-owned farms being the hardest hit.
Industrial factory farms have expanded, acquiring smaller farms and benefiting the most from taxpayer subsidies.
The census highlights a decrease in farms enrolled in USDA conservation programs, despite government efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture.
Wisconsin experienced a significant loss in farms, particularly dairy farms, over the past five years.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack expresses concern over the state of agriculture, emphasizing the need for climate-smart practices to support farmers.