As a group, U.S. principal farm operators are older than the
typical U.S. household head. In 2011, more than 30 percent of
principal farm operators were age 65 or older (see
table on the characteristics of principal farm operator households,
by age of principal operator, 2011 
). The average age of principal operators
in 2011 was 58 and has been greater than 50 since at least the 1974
Census of Agriculture. The age structure of householders (i.e.,
heads of households) for U.S. households in general is much
younger. One reason for the advanced age structure of farmers is
the farm's status as the family home. Nearly 20 percent of farm
operators report they are retired. Senior farmers adjust to farming
in a variety of ways, such as operating their farms at a smaller
scale or participating in the Conservation Reserve Program.
In 2011, approximately 22 percent of family farms met the
definition of a beginning farm (see glossary). Beginning farms were more likely to
be small farms than established farms (see
table on the characteristics of principal farm operator households,
by experience of operators, 2011 ).
Beginning farms accounted for 10 percent of the total production
value of family farms in 2011. There are also established farms
(i.e., not considered beginning farms) that are operated jointly by
more experienced operators and beginning farmers. While the
majority of beginning farmers (89 percent in 2011) operated
beginning farms, 11 percent of beginning farmers (making up less
than 3 percent of all farmers) jointly operated established farms
with experienced farmers. Although beginning farmers are likely to
be younger than established farmers, perhaps it is surprising that
one-third of beginning farmers are over 55. More than 10 percent of
beginning farmers are 65 or older. Beginning farmers are more
likely than established farmers to have at least a 4-year college
degree (30 percent compared to 23 percent, respectively). (see Agricultural
Outlook 
and Choices
papers).