2012 Census of Agriculture US Farmers Marketings

U.S. Farmers Marketing
The 2012 Census of Agriculture lets us know how farmers market their
farms and products in their local communities – selling directly to
consumers, to retailers, or through agritourism. Census data provide
information about the location and prevalence of these practices in the
dynamic and changing agricultural market.

1 in 5
The proportion of principal
operators selling directly to
consumers in 2012 who
were female.

Average Value per Farm of Direct Sales
to Consumers, 2012

4,432
The number of
California farms that
sold their products
directly to restaurants,
grocery stores, schools,
hospitals, and other
retail outlets in 2012,
the highest in the nation.

Dollars
Less than 2,500
2,500 - 4,999
5,000 - 9,999
10,000 - 24,999
25,000 - 49,999
50,000 or more

94,799

144,530
The number of U.S. farms that sold fresh edible agricultural
products directly to consumers in 2012. The value of these
sales was $1.3 billion.

7 OUT OF 10
The share of counties in 2012 with 50 or more
CSAs (community supported agriculture
arrangements) that are in northeastern states.

Top 5 States by Percent of Farms
Selling Directly to Retailers, 2012

HAWAII

The number of U.S. farms in 2012
that sold value-added
products including
beef jerky, fruit
jams, jelly, floral
arrangements,
cider, and wine.

29 PERCENT
The share of farms selling directly to
consumers in 2012 that were
primarily vegetable, fruit,
and nut farms.

18%

VERMONT

16%

$704 MILLION

16%

The value of agritourism and
on-farm recreational services
such as hunting, fishing,
hay rides, and farm and
winery tours in 2012.

ALASKA

RHODE ISLAND

14%

Up 24%
since 2007.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

14%

www.agcensus.usda.gov
U.S. Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture, May 2014