Agriculture :
Change in number of farms, 2002-2007

Between 2002 and 2007, the number of farms in Minnesota remained virtually the same, increasing just 0.2%, from 80,839 to 80,992. The map, however, shows that the change in the number of farms in each county varies considerably across the state. It also shows an interesting reversal of trends. While the number of farms had been going down in southern and western Minnesota as large farms consolidated, the number has increased, in some places as much as 15% (Rice County). Possibilities for the change could be the increasing popularity of hobby farms and the growing local foods movement making small specialty farming economically viable.

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