Number of young farmers grows fastest in Berks

by Steve Reinbrecht

Berks County had the largest increase in the number of young farmers in Pennsylvania, according to an “Analysis of the 2012 Census of Agriculture,” released last month.

Much land in Southwestern Berks is used for agriculture.

From the Berks County Planning Commission

In 2002, Berks had 154 farmers younger than 35, according to the Census. In 2012, the county had 238 young farmers, an increase of 55 percent.

Penn State Extension educator Mat Haan said this is important because the average age of farmers is increasing and young people are needed to replace them as they retire.

In 2012, the average age of Berks farmers was 54.5 years. The average age of Pennsylvania farmers was 56.1.

Haan, whose specialty is dairy farming, said the growing importance of technology in successful farming is helping to attract young people to the industry. For example, automated milking allows farm families to spend more time on other activities, he said.

In general, Berks agriculture production ranks high in the state, in the 4-year old data.

According to the 2012 Census of Agricultural, from 2007 to 2012:

From 2007 to 2012, the value of Berk’s agricultural products grew 70 percent, from about $368 million to $529 million. Lancaster County, just south of Southwestern Berks, had the highest sales of agricultural products in the state in 2012 -- nearly $1.475 billion.

From 2007 to 2012, the number of farms in Berks grew from 1,980 to 2,039. The average size was 115 acres.

The number of acres in farms rose from 222,119 acres to 233,744 acres. That means 43 percent of Berks County is in farms.

Berks ranks near the top of the state in agricultural production.

Berks ranked:

       Third in sales of grains, oil seeds, dry beans, and dry peas.

       Second in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod.

       Second in poultry and eggs.

Total farm production expenses were $415 million.

The data is from 2012 but was released as late as 2016 — I guess agricultural statistics take a long, long time to compile. I found the link in state Sen. David Argall’s newsletter.