There are nearly 76,000 more U. S. farms than a few years ago but new operations tend to be smaller, more diversified and have lower sales than the average farm, according to Agriculture Department data released on Feb. 4.

A USDA census taken every five years found four per cent more farms in 2007 than in 2002. There were fewer middle-size farms and markedly more farms that were small or very large.

“I don’t think it’s just a statistical anomaly that smaller farms have increased in number,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told USDA employees.

The increase, he said, was largely the result of efforts to encourage organic farming, boost land stewardship, improve productivity per acre and develop renewable energy.

“All of that suggests the chance for profitability,” said Vilsack.

Overall, there were 2,204,792 farms in the U. S., a net increase of 75,810 farms since the 2002 census.

The number of smaller farms, with sales of less than $2,500, rose by 73,769 to 900,327 while large farms with sales of $100,000 or higher increased by 45,771 to 357,159 from 2002 to 2007.

Vilsack noted the favour-able increase among small and large farmers, but said he was “deeply concerned” about the drop among middle-sized operations. Operations generating income between $2,500 and $99,999 all posted declines in the number of farms compared to 2002.

The census report also showed the concentration of agriculture production has increased during the last five years. In 2007, 125,000 farms were responsible for 75 per cent of the value of U. S. agricultural production compared to 144,000 farms in 2002 for the same share.