Trends in Oklahoma Agriculture & Rural Demographics: Communicating with New Ag Producers: How to Reach Them, How to Teach Them OK Chapter of Soil and Water Conservation Society Damona Doye Dave Shideler Larry D. Sanders 8 May 2012OSU CENTRA Presentation

2

3

4

Source: NASS, 2007 OK Farms and Ranches with Cattle by Size of Operation (Number) 5

6

7

Beginning farmers: about one-fifth of all farms; some established farms operated jointly by beginning farmers, 2009 Beginning farmers and ranchers account for 10% of production. 30% had no production in 2009, compared to 23% of established farms. Slide courtesy of M. Ahearn, ERS, USDA,

Share of farms in a county that are beginning farms Source: 2007 Census of Agriculture.; Slide courtesy of M. Ahearn, ERS, USDA,

Sources of land ownership for beginning and established farms 10

Personal characteristics of Beginning Farmers Most principal operators of beginning farms are white (90%, compared to 93% for established farms), nonHispanic (94%, compared to 98%) and male (83%, compared to 90%). One-third are age 55 or older, compared to 70% of established operators Two-thirds of beginning farmers have a major occupation other than farming, compared to 37% of established operators Source: 2009 USDA ARMS. 11

Beginning Farmers and Type of Production 12

Beginning Farmer and Involvement in Community Agriculture Operator Started Prior to 1998 % with direct sales 7%8%6% % of total direct sales 10%14%76% % with organic sales 1% % of total organic sales 12%15%73% % with recreational services income 1% 13

Oklahoma Farm Land Prices agecon.okstate.edu/oklandvalues 14

Change in number of farms with 100 acres or fewer

Percentage Cropland Acres Changed – 1992 to 2007 % of change Payne 453 Lincoln 458 Cleve. 426 Ok. 436 McC. 454 Pott. 609 Creek 560 Rogers 428 LeFl. 414 McCur. 400+: Indicates counties with change in number of farms with 100 or fewer acres,

Conclusions Who are beginning producers? – 2/3 under age 55 – Buying land from nonrelatives – Little interest in local marketing/organic farming – Likely small-scale livestock producers – Continue full time nonfarm employment Where are they coming from? – Both native OK and other states (Texas, California, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Florida, Colorado, Georgia, Arizona, Illinois) What are their backgrounds? – Farm background as children – Nonfarm background completely new to agriculture – Some are refugees from economic meltdown – Some are refugees from urban lifestyles – Some are mid-career professionals who want to return to farms – Some are “Mother Earth News” fans seeking a simpler life – Some are transitioning to retirement & semi-retirement What are their needs? – Funds – Education 17