The number of Oregon farms and ranches has dropped, but the state’s agricultural industry remains dominated by family-owned and -operated businesses, according to the USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture.

The ag census showed 35,547 farms and ranches in Oregon, down 6% from 2017.

Family businesses accounted for 96% of all Oregon farms and operated 84% of ag land.

Overall, farms covered 15.3 million acres of farmland in 2022, down 4% from 2017.

Despite the decrease, that still represents 25% of the land in the Beaver State.

The average size of Oregon farms and ranches grew 1% to 430 acres.

Oregon farms and ranches produced $6.77 billion in agricultural products, up from $5.01 billion five years ago.

With expenses of $6.35 billion in 2022, Oregon farms had net cash income of $930 million.

Average farm income rose to $26,172, and 31% of Oregon farms had positive net cash farm income in 2022.

Oregon farms with internet access rose slightly, hitting 88%, up from 86% in 2017.

About 3,500 farms and ranches used renewable energy-producing systems, a 23% increase over five years before. Of those ag operations, 90% reported using solar panels.

In 2022, 4,550 Oregon farms sold directly to consumers, with sales of $117 million. The value of sales increased 38% from 2017.

More than 1,200 Oregon farms, or roughly 3%, had sales of $1 million or more. Those farms sold 76% of all ag products in the state.

The average age of all Oregon producers was 58.6, up 0.7 years from 2017.

About 21,900 Oregon farmers had 10 or fewer years of experience, a 14% increase. Beginning farmers had an average age of 48.2.

Almost 4,900 Oregon producers, or 7%, were under age 35.

The 3,709 Oregon farms with young producers making decisions tend to be larger than average in both acres and sales.

In 2022, 30,150 female farmers and ranchers accounted for 44% of all Oregon producers. Seventy-six percent of all Oregon farms had at least one female decision-maker.