USDA defines beginning farmers as individuals who have been operating a farm for 10 years or less. The 2012 Census of Agriculture provides information about operators’ experience on their current farm, “years on present farm” and, for the first time, “years operating any farm.” Nationwide, the number of beginning farmers (operators with fewer than 10 years of experience on their present farm) has reached a 30-year low. Just between 2007 and 2012, the number of beginners dropped 20 percent to 469,098.

This handout provides talking points on beginning farmer statistics compiled by the Farmland information Center.