Number of farms decline in Colorado, nationwide

The number of Colorado farms dropped to 36,180 in 2012, down from 37,054, and farm acreage statewide saw only a marginal increase, according to the 2012 Agricultural Census.

The census reported a statewide decline of nearly 900 farms over the five-year period from 2007 to 2012. Farm acreage slightly increased by 282,000 acres to 31.9 million from 31.6 million during the same period.

Data released this week comes from a census taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nationwide, the number of farms also declined to 2.1 million from 2.2 million during the period. Farm acreage declined to 914 million acres…