The economic impact of Utah agriculture continues to influence rural communities, generating billions in revenue while facing challenges such as rising costs, labor shortages, and aging farmland.
In a single year, Utah farms brought in $2.3 billion in sales, highlighting the strength of local agriculture while also revealing the challenges farmers face.
This data comes from the “Portrait of Agriculture” report by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, based on the USDA 2022 Census of Agriculture, showing how farming plays a vital role in Utah’s economy and rural communities.
Agriculture Remains a Key Economic Driver
Farming continues to support thousands of jobs and families across the state.
According to the report, Utah farms generated more than $2 billion annually through livestock and crop sales. This impact is strongest in rural areas, where agriculture is a major source of employment and local income.
Farmers, however, are facing rising costs, labor shortages, and market shifts that make running operations increasingly difficult.
Most Sales Come From a Few Counties
Agriculture activity isn’t evenly spread across Utah.
Seven counties – Beaver, Millard, Utah, Iron, Sanpete, Box Elder, and Cache – accounted for 70% of total agricultural sales in 2022.
Statewide, agriculture:
- Employs 16,000+ people
- Covers 10.5 million acres of Utah’s 54.3 million acres
- Makes up nearly one-fifth of the state’s land
Small Farms Are Common, Many Farmers Have Other Jobs
Utah’s farm economy is diverse.
Nearly one-third of farms are under 10 acres, and over half of farms sell less than $5,000 annually. Only 7% of farms exceed 1,000 acres.
Farming isn’t the primary income source for most producers. About 69% of Utah farmers work another job to supplement their farm income.
An Aging Workforce Raises Questions
The average age of Utah farm operators is 56.6, with 35% aged 65 or older.
This aging workforce, combined with shrinking farmland, raises concerns about who will continue farming in the coming decades.
Farmland Has Shrunk Over Time
Between 2002 and 2022, Utah lost 1.2 million acres of farmland, split between cropland and pastureland.
Counties with the largest farmland reductions include:
- Duchesne (lost 249,000 acres)
- Box Elder
- Rich
- Washington
- Tooele
The decline shows that even as agriculture remains important, the amount of land available for farming is decreasing.
Recent Industry Changes
Since the 2022 USDA data, significant developments have affected Utah farming:
- Smithfield Foods ended contracts with 26 hog farms in 2023, reducing hog sales dramatically
- Beef prices reached record highs in 2025, with ground beef now averaging $6.32 per pound
- Rising input costs and fluctuating commodity prices make farm planning more complex
These trends create challenges for farmers trying to maintain profitability.
What It Means for Utah
Utah agriculture continues to be a major economic force. Billions in sales and thousands of jobs rely on the sector.
At the same time, shrinking farmland, an aging workforce, and rising costs highlight the challenges that lie ahead. Rural communities, in particular, will feel these effects most acutely.
