More Than 40 Percent of Farmers Working “Off-Farm”

WASHINGTON, DC – How many farm households rely on at least one member working off-farm? According to the Economic Research Service (ERS), in 2019, about 71 percent of farm households had one or more members earning wages away from the farm. One reason could be benefits not readily available through the farm like health insurance and/or retirement benefits. What about principal operators of the farm though, how many also hold off-farm jobs as well? ERS suggests more than 40 percent work an average of 15 hours earning other income every week. Though it may go without saying, principal operators who worked more on-farm tended to work less off-farm across a variety of commodities. On average, however, principal operators with livestock, beef cattle, and fruit and tree nut farm operations worked fewer on-farm hours and more off-farm hours. Those less likely to have supplemental income include dairy, cotton, tobacco, and rice operations.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)