2007 Census Figures Show Increase in Small Farms

Small farming operations increased over the last five years in Iowa reports the Des Moines Register, although mega farms account for nearly half of Iowa's food production, according to 2007 Census figures.

In general, there were 2201 more farms in Iowa for a total of 92,856 in 2007. The largest increase was in farms with $1000 or less in sales, with a total of 23,698, a total of 4030 more farms than in 2002. There also were more midsize farms with sales of $2500 - $10,000. The number of farms growing vegetables also increased, from 757 to 885.

Also, the average age of Iowa farmers is rising. In 2002, the average farmer was 54.3 and in the latest Census count, the average age was 56.1.