Census of Agriculture 2022

In February 2024, the USDA released data from its 2022 Census of Agriculture. Here is a synopsis of the Massachusetts report: 

• Massachusetts has a total of 7,083 farms, which cover 464,451 acres and generated  $607 million in sales in 2022. 
• MA lost 27,202 acres of farmland since 2017, a 6% decline.  
• Direct sales to consumers accounted for $84 million, a 16% decrease from 2017. 1,860 MA farms sell directly to consumers. 
• In Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, there are a total of 1,942 farms stewarding 154,405 acres; total acreage in farmland in these three counties declined 12% since 2017.  
• Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden county farms sold $17 million of agricultural products directly to consumers in 2022. 
• 1,918 MA farms are very small, with sales of less than $1,000.