Iowa's 5-Year Farmland Decline Sparks Concerns and Opportunities

By Andi Anderson

Iowa grapples with a significant loss of over half a million acres in farmland from 2017 to 2022, as reported by the latest agriculture census from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In 2017, Iowa boasted 30,563,878 acres of farmland, a number that dwindled to 29,978,165 acres in 2022, raising concerns within the farming community. Sally Worley, Executive Director of Practical Farmers of Iowa, emphasizes the pressing issue of accessing land, particularly for new farmers and those seeking expansion. The disconnect between land prices and productive value poses a challenge, exacerbated by a trend of suburban and urban farmland being sold to developers.

Worley highlights the impact on new farmers and businesses aiming to upscale, facing difficulties in accessing already expensive farmland, much of which isn't publicly available. Despite these challenges, some positive aspects emerged from the census. Christopher Pudenz, an economist with the Iowa Farm Bureau, notes that Iowa exhibited more positive results compared to the national average. Despite a decrease in the average farm size, Iowa gained farmers and farms, and the average age of farmers increased less than the national average.

Pudenz acknowledges the positive momentum in 2022, marked by robust row crops and hog markets. However, he projects a 25% decrease in farmer income for 2024 compared to 2023, cautioning about potential challenges ahead.

Sally Worley sees a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges, noting a growing interest among farmers in cultivating table food—directly consumed crops like fruits, vegetables, and proteins. This shift offers a potential silver lining to the decrease in farmland, as table food farming generally requires a smaller acre base.

As Iowa anticipates a tightening of farm budgets in 2024, there remains optimism for the short, medium, and long term. The farming community explores avenues to navigate challenges and turn the tide, with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices and supporting local farmers.

Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer