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# GRAPHIC: Midwest ranks 2nd for new and beginning farmers in the latest Agricultural Census
- URL: https://www.investigatemidwest.org/graphic-midwest-ranks-2nd-for-new-and-beginning-farmers-in-the-latest-agricultural-census/
- Published: 2024-02-29T16:48:33.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-23T18:11:22.000Z
- Description: In the Midwest, Missouri, Iowa and Ohio stand out as the primary homes for new farmers.
- Author: Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest
- Tags: Data Harvest, Region, ag census, TP::Explainer, farmers, Iowa, Midwest, Missouri, Ohio, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-06-18 04:56

The number of farms in the U.S. has decreased recently — a situation federal officials termed a “[wake-up call](https://www.investigatemidwest.org/latest-farm-data-a-wake-up-call-as-midwest-farmers-face-ever-steeper-challenges/).” But more than a million farmers in the U.S. are now “new and beginning” farmers, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture.

Southern states account for 43% of these new faces in agriculture, while a little more than one-third operate in the Midwest. The eastern and western regions combined contribute just over one-fifth.

Within the Midwestern states, Missouri (14%), Iowa (12%) and Ohio (11%) stand out as the primary homes for this new generation of farmers. They are responsible for operating more than 214,000 farms in the region.