This statistical information gives a clear snapshot of why local alternatives are needed to cut the large amounts of imported food.
• In 1964, there were 227,355 farms. In 1997, the number was 125,430.
• In 1964, total acreage was 41,128,448; In 1997-25,266,630 acres;
• 7.4 million acres of pasture land have been lost since 1964.
• 3.6 million acres have been lost to cropland since 1964.
• The Northeast accounts for 4.2 percent of the nation's cropland but 30 percent of the nation's consumers live in the region.
• 4.1 million acres of forest land have been lost since 1964.
Farms and Land Resources in the Northeast
Farming in the Northeast is shaped by the land and climate. The region has the advantage of being a rain-fed region, with varied terrain, a wide variety of soils, and microclimates. These advantages are offset by a relatively short growing season.
The Northeast possesses some rich farmland, producing high-value specialty crops. It's also characterized by sloped, wet and stony topography suited for forage and livestock production, except for the river valleys, which are well suited for vegetable production.
From northern New York and New England, where the hilly landscape and cool climate support dairy, cattle and specialty crops, to the coastal plains of New Jersey and Maryland, where poultry and fresh produce are the mainstays, the Northeast is one of the most agriculturally diverse regions in the U.S. The greenhouse and nursery sectors flourish in high population centers and sprawling sub-divisions.
Overall, the Northeast specializes in field crops, hay, livestock, dairy, poultry and fresh produce as well as unique crops such as maple syrup and cranberries, synonymous with specific regions. Dairy was among the top five commodities in terms of cash receipts in every northeast state in 1998. The region's second most dominant crop in 1997 were greenhouse and nursery crops. Between 1987 and 1997, 31 percent of the region's orchards disappeared; New York lost nearly one-half of its orchard acres during that time. Between 1987 and 1997, agricultural sales increased 22% from $9.3 billion to $11.9 billion. Northeast sales were 6.3% of total U.S. sales.
Northeast Farms & Farmers
• Northeast farms are diversified and relatively small compared with large farms in other parts of the country. About half of the northeast farmers consider farming their principle occupation meaning they spend 50 percent or more of their time at farming. However, if it were not for off-farm income, many of these farms would go under.
• Eight percent of U.S. commercial farms account for 72 percent of total sales. Most of these are large farms. A small farm is defined by the USDA, as a farm with less than $250,000 in gross receipts. Ninety-four percent of U.S. farms fall into this category. Their average gross income is between $50,000 and $250,000. Three-quarters of U.S. farms have gross sales under $50,000.
• Most Northeast farms serve regional markets. Six percent are classified as large farms.
• U.S. Agricultural Exports totaled $49 billion in 1999. The northeast had only 3.3 percent of total exports in 1999.
Source: USDA, 1998.
• The percentage of women farmers in the Northeast is on the rise (up 2,500 between 1987 and 1997). However, there is one disturbing trend- there are twice as many farmers over the age of 65 as under 35. The average age of Northeast E farmers is 55 years old, only 8 percent are under 35, a drop of 46 percent between 1987 and 1997. (See More on Women in Agriculture called under the title "Get On the WagN" in the Appendix)
• In the Northeast, high land prices, an eroding farm service infrastructure -- from lenders to extension educators to equipment dealers, and lack of local markets and community support for farming -- creates barriers for next generation farmers.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death among American farmers, occurring at a rate three times the national average.
• Farm numbers have declined dramatically in the Northeast. The reason is the high costs of production, including fuel, services, and transportation and the low prices farmers receive for their products, especially dairy farmers. Another significant factor is the loss of farmland due to development pressures such as shopping centers, parking lots, highways and housing complexes called sprawl.
The dollar value of the land in most northeast states is the highest in the U.S. That's why purchasing farmland for new and expanding farmers is prohibitive. In 1999, the average figure for the northeast was $2,320 per acre. Two other economic vice-grips are the high cost for renting farmland and high property taxes for the farmer who owns his or her land. Some states have current use or preferential tax programs for farmland, which helps some.
In the Northeast, virtually all farms are owned by individuals, partnerships, or family corporations. Yet corporate ownership and control of farms is on the rise in several northeast states. This trend undermines efforts to build and revitalize local farm economies and protect agricultural resources.
The best mechanism by far for saving farms is called a farmland conservation easement, which protects the land from development. It is an increasingly popular preservation tool; not only does it keep the land available for farming, it reduces the price of the land, making it more affordable for future farmers. Monies for easements come from foundations and non-profit groups like land trusts, state and federal conservation funding, town conservation groups and local citizens.
Some other mechanisms are non-traditional partnerships between farm neighbors, land trusts, Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) farms, shareholders and school/community farms.
Purchasing farmland in the northeast depends on where the land is located. For example, the "North Country" of New York State is still affordable to some new farmers and retired people who want to set up small 50 to 100 acre farms. This is indicated by the growth rates of small "niche" farms in the North Country and other parts of the Northeast where land prices are affordable. However, as stated above, land prices in most areas are not affordable.
The statistics also show that small farms and large containment dairy operations are increasing in number. It's the mid-size farms that seem to be going out of business. Many of the small family-
run farms are organic, and produce specialty items like cheese, free-range chickens, grassland fed beef, greenhouse plants, fruits and vegetables. There are a growing number of organic dairy operations as well. A number of small farms use the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model to support their operation.
Source:
The information on the Loss of Farms and Land in the Northeast comes from a report from the New England Small Farm Institute in Belchertown, Massachusetts. (413) 323-4531 Check out NESFI on the web.
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