Farm Numbers Drop in 2002

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, farm numbers in Massachusetts increased as measured by the Census of Agriculture. Massachusetts farm numbers peaked in the late 80s declined in 1992 and rebounded slightly in 1997. While farm numbers declined nationally, Massachusetts farm numbers increased by 24 percent during the period 1974 to 1997.

The 1997 Census of Agriculture reported 5,574 farms in Massachusetts. For the 2002 Census, procedural changes were made to ensure more complete coverage of farms. For comparisons, the 1997 Census figures were adjusted. The adjusted census data showed there were 7,307 farms in Massachusetts in 1997. In 2002, the number of farms decreased 17 percent to 6,075 farms.