SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s farm operations generated $2.3 billion in animal products and crop sales in 2022, according to a report released today by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. Agricultural activities, primarily concentrated in seven counties, employed over 16,000 people, and utilized 10.5 million acres of state land.
“Utah’s agriculture sector is a dynamic part of our state’s economy, particularly in rural areas, generating over $2 billion in sales annually,” said Eric Albers, senior natural resources analyst at the Gardner Institute and lead author of the report. “Our report, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, also illustrates the significant changes being felt by Utah farmers, from shifting market dynamics and rising input costs to an aging workforce.”
Key findings from the report include the following:
Sales Contribution – Utah’s farm operations reached $2.3 billion in sales in 2022.
Geographic Concentration – Seven counties—Beaver, Millard, Utah, Iron, Sanpete, Box Elder, and Cache—accounted for 70% of all agricultural product sales.
Small Operations – Many of Utah’s farms are small, with nearly one-third (32.8%) operating on less than 10 acres. Over half (51.7%) of operations sold less than $5,000 worth of agricultural products, indicating a diverse structure of commercial and hobby farms.
Aging Producer Population – The average age of a Utah producer was 56.6 years in 2022, and more than one-third (35.0%) were 65 years or older. Additionally, farming was not the primary job for nearly 7 out of 10 (69.0%) producers.
Employment – Utah farm operations provided employment for over 16,000 people in 2022. Nearly half of the labor worked more than 150 days per year, highlighting a diverse mix of seasonal and permanent positions.
Land Footprint – Agriculture utilizes a significant portion of Utah’s land, covering 10.5 million acres, or nearly one-fifth of the state’s total land area.
Evolving Market Conditions – Since the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the sector has faced notable shifts, including Smithfield Foods ending contracts with 26 Utah hog farms in 2023, beef prices reaching an all-time high in 2025, and farm operations experiencing rising input costs.
The full report is now available online.
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