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Indicator: Age and Experience of Farmers

Data and Data Discussion provided by Sustainable Seattle

Figure 1: Average Years on Present Farm

Figure 2: Average Age of Operator

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Related Goals

Sustainability Snapshot:

The relative age and experience of farmers in a region provides an indication of the health and growth potential of the region's food system. A balanced range of age and experience ensures that production and overall stability of farming operations will exist at a level favorable to regional sustainability. Current figures show an operator population that is aging but also increasing in experience.

Sustainability Trend:

Since 1997, both the age and experience of principal farm operators has increased throughout the Central Puget Sound region. However, the age of principal farm operators stabilized from 2002 to 2007 in King County (the age increase was limited to 0.2 years) while the average number of years of experience decreased, indicating a possible emerging trend in younger farmers becoming farm owners.

Data Discussion

The Indicator Defined

Change in years of age and experience of Principal Farm Operators in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.

Data Interpretation/Evaluation

Over the last 10 years, the average age and experience of farm operators has steadily increased throughout the Central Puget Sound Region. This trend comes as no surprise as nationally the average age of farm operators is 57.1 years and statewide it is 60.1 years.  Though the average age of operators in Central Puget Sound may be rising,  three counties average lower than the national and state averages; King (55.7), Kitsap (56.4), and Snohomish (56.7); and the fourth county, Pierce, averages lower (57.6) than the state.  In comparison to national and state averages, the Central Puget Sound region is then statistically younger.  However, similar to the rest of the nation, the amount of operators 65 and older in the Central Puget Sound region  increased from 2002: King (+19%), Kitsap (+70%), and Snohomish (+13%). The only county not to post and increase for this age cohort was Pierce, decreasing 2% from the 2002.  Also, in King County, the age increase was limited to 0.2 years while the average number of years of experience decreased, indicating a possible emerging trend in younger farmers establishing themselves.  

It should also be noted that the available data reflects age and experience of principle farm operators only, i.e. farm owners.  There may be an increase in younger people making their living from farming as wage labor and farm apprentices that are not reflected in the data for this indicator. 

As would be expected based on the rising average age of operators, the average years on present farm has also increased throughout the Central Puget Sound region. From 1997 to 2002, counties posted increases across the board. Between 2002 and 2007, the average in Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties increased, whereas the average in King County decreased. The decrease in King County's average can possibly be attributed to an increase in operations that are 4 years or less ( +47%). 

Data Source and Limitations

Data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Data accessed from The Census of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), for the years, 1997, 2002, 2007.

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