Family Farms Growing In Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A federal agriculture census shows an
increase in the number of family farms in Alabama.
According to figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Alabama has 8 percent more farms and 33 percent more female farmers
than 5 years ago.
The federal census showed the state gained more black farmers,
but lost a substantial number of Hispanic farmers.
The report says the number of family farms in Alabama grew 4
percent from about 45,100 in 2002 to more than 48,700 in 2007. But
the size of those farms decreased from 197 acres to 185 acres.
The amount of land used for farming in the state climbed from
8.9 million acres in 2002 to 9 million acres in 2007.
The recently released census was conducted last.
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