1. 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

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

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8. 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, 20612 8

9. Share of farms in a county that are beginning farms Source: 2007 Census of Agriculture.; Slide courtesy of M. Ahearn, ERS, USDA, 20612 9

10. Sources of land ownership for beginning and established farms 10

11. 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

12. Beginning Farmers and Type of Production 12

13. Beginning Farmer and Involvement in Community Agriculture Operator Started 2003-20071998-2002 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

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

15. Change in number of farms with 100 acres or fewer 1992-2007 15

16. Percentage Cropland Acres Changed – 1992 to 2007 % of change -91.3 - -30.6 -30.5 - -20.6 -20.5 - -11.6 -11.5 - -0.9 1.0 - 18 422 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, 1992-2007 16

17. 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