Farms grow in size, shrink in number

Drought, a drop in commodities prices and dwindling profit margins have taken their toll on Utah farmers.

Utah lost more than 500 farms, equalling about 260,000 acres of farmland, between 1997 and 2002, according to the latest agriculture census.

"We've got only half the dairy farmers in Utah we had just 20 years ago, so obviously we've got a lot of people leaving the business," said Flint Richards, who has 150 cows on his dairy farm in Tooele County.

But while the number of farms may be decreasing, farms are getting larger, with the average of 760 acres increasing to 768 acres.

Many who leave agriculture, which represents about 2 percent of Utah's economy, are selling to multi-farm partnerships or corporate interests. Between 1997 and 2002, the number of farms of 2,000 acres or more increased, as did the number of farms grossing over $500,000 in sales.

"As the price of commodities drops and urbanization continues, farmers are being forced to sell parts of their operations to cover costs. Everything is being black-topped and roof-topped," said Randy Parker, CEO of the state's Farm Bureau Federation. "Socially, culturally and environmentally, it's a big loss."

Also increasing is the average age of the Utah farmer, from 55.1 to 55.4 years of age. Many are taking extra jobs off the farm to make a living. Sixty percent of the state's farmers and ranchers now consider themselves part-time.

But while Utah's average farm size is increasing, the number of small farms has risen. Owned by "hobby farmers" seeking a country lifestyle, these 1 to 9 acre farms dot the Wasatch Front, said Rick Kestle, a statistician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"They're only marginally farms in terms of value and production, but there are a lot of them," Kestle said. "Many are retirees. Some have downsized from bigger farms. They don't want to give up that tradition."