2002 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE REVEALS AN INCREASE

IN WOMEN PRINCIPAL OPERATORS

Columbia, S.C., March 23, 2005: The 2002 Census of Agriculture indicated a 21 percent increase in the number of farms in South Carolina operated by women since 1997, the USDA NASS South Carolina Statistical Office announced today. A total of 3,511 farms in the State were reported as having a woman as the principal operator in 2002. Women operated 420, 493 acres of land in 2002, an increase of 4 percent from 1997. In addition, 89 percent of the women principal operators were full owners of the farm they operated. Nearly all women principal operators in the State, 97 percent, own at least part of the land they operated.

South Carolina ranked 28^th among states for farms operated by a woman principal operator. Of the 24,511 Census reported farms in the State, 14 percent have a woman principal operator. Out of the 46 counties in the State, women principal operators were reported in every county. The top three counties for farms operated by a woman principal operator were Anderson with 195 farms; Aiken with 193 farms, and Greenville with 189 farms. The three counties with the most acreage operated by women were Orangeburg with 28,717 acres; Hampton with 26,421 acres; and Williamsburg with 22,102 acres.

Data from the Census also revealed some common characteristics of women principal operators throughout the State. Eighty-three percent of women principal operators in South Carolina had worked 5 or more years on their present farm. In addition, 76 percent of the women lived on their farm and 45 percent listed farming as their primary occupation.

Looking at market value of agricultural products sold by women-operated farms in South Carolina, women produced $ 43.6 million in livestock, poultry and their products, and an additional $ 15.5 million in crops. The amount sold by women-operated farms accounts for 4 percent of our State’s total market value of agricultural products sold. The top three counties for market value of agricultural products sold by women-operated farms were Kershaw with $ 8.9 million sold; Sumter with $ 8.6 million; and Chesterfield with $ 4.4 million.

For more census information, visit NASS online at www.usda.gov/nass/ and click on”Census of Agriculture” for aggregate facts and figures, or call 1-800-424-9406.

For additional information call:  Robert A. Graham, State Director

                                                      Steve Pavlasek, Deputy Director

                                                      Office telephone (803) 765-5333