| Abstrakt: |
The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting industry in Southeast Minnesota has seen significant changes between 2012 and 2022. The region had just under 11,000 farms in 2022, with a decrease of 1,227 farms since 2012. However, the average size of farms has increased in most counties, suggesting a shift towards larger-scale farming. The industry has also experienced job growth, particularly in the subsectors of Crop Production, Animal Production and Aquaculture, and Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry. The demographic of the agricultural workforce has also changed, with a modest influx of younger workers and a substantial retention of middle-aged and older workers. Despite these changes, agriculture continues to play a critical role in the region's economy and community. [Extracted from the article] |
