Farm Operator Decreases Seen Across All Counties

The number of Massachusetts farm operators decreased in all counties between 1997 and 2002 (Figure 6.3). Plymouth County lost over 200 farmers and Worcester County lost 184 farmers. Berkshire, Essex, Hampshire, Nantucket and Plymouth Counties lost 20 percent or more of their farm operators. The greatest proportionate decrease (35 percent) occurred in Nantucket County, followed by Essex (24 percent) and Hampshire (22.5 percent) Counties.

Most of the operators who exited farming were the part-time farmers – those who considered their primary occupation to be something other than farming. Compare the charts showing the number of farm operators who considered farming to be their primary occupation (Figure 6.4) to the farm operators for whom farming was not their primary occupation (Figure 6.5). The decreases from 1997 to 2002 were greater for the part-time farmers in all counties with two exceptions: Bristol County and Nantucket County, where the number of part-time farmers increased. Farm operators who consider their primary occupation to be other than farming are likely to be more flexible in their farm production decisions. The can more easily curtail production for short periods depending upon the relative returns of their primary occupation compared with farm returns.