A new analysis shows that family-owned farms remain the backbone of U.S. agriculture. According to data released by Farm Flavor following a USDA study, nearly 95% of farms are family-owned and New Jersey is certainly no exception. Family farms in the Garden State make up 94% of the industry.
Family Farms Dominate New Jersey
In New Jersye, 9,395 generate nearly $1.3 billion in sales annually, representing 78.6% of total farm revenue in the state. The average family-owned farm in NJ produces about $137,500 in annual sales, which is below the national average of $269,000.
“Family farms anchor local economies, preserve working lands and sustain community food systems,” Farm Flavor researchers noted in their report. In New Jersey, small and midsize family farms—those earning less than $350,000 annually—make up the bulk of operations. The findings highlight New Jersey’s reliance on generational and community-driven agriculture.
National Trends: Family Farms Still Lead
Across the United States, family-owned farms account for 94.7% of all farms and 80.7% of total agricultural output. The majority of these are small to midsize operations with less than $1 million in annual revenue, though large family farms, earning $1 million or more annually, produce more than half of the nation’s total agricultural output.
Non-family farms make up roughly 5% of U.S. farms but contribute 19.1% of total production, showing that corporate or investor-run operations are far less common than often perceived. However, despite the lack of commonality, corporate farming operations produce massive amounts of money.
Regional Variations in Family Farm Ownership
Family farm’s prevalence differs across the country. In New Jersey, 94% of farms are family-owned, generating nearly 79% of the state’s farm revenue. In states like West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, family farms account for more than 97% of farms and roughly 90% of total output.
In contrast, Alaska and Hawaii are outliers, where family farms contribute less than half of total agricultural production.
“These figures highlight that American agriculture remains overwhelmingly a family-run enterprise, from small diversified farms to large multi-generational operations,” Farm Flavor said.
Why Family Farms Matter
Family farms do far more than produce food. They sustain rural communities, create local jobs and preserve industry. In a state as dense as New Jersey, they provide stability and continuity, creating thousands of jobs.
For those following the broader conversation around “Big Ag” and corporate farming, the data offers perspective: despite consolidation trends, family farms still produce the majority of the country’s food and dominate local agriculture in most states.
Methodology and Sources
The analysis used USDA 2022 Census of Agriculture data, with all figures adjusted to 2025 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. A family farm is defined as one in which the majority of the business is owned by the principal operator and relatives. Researchers assessed farm counts, sales, and output across small, midsize, and large operations to produce a state-by-state ranking.
For the full report, high-resolution graphics and more details, visit Farm Flavor.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.