Who owned farms in 1950?

   In January 1950, the USDA reported on ownership of farmland nationwide.

    It said 25 percent of the nation's 1.1 billion acres of land in farms was owned by individuals, 6 percent by corporations, 6 percent by federal, state or other units of government, and 3 percent was on Indian lands.

     The report, “Farm Land Ownership in the United States” from studies by the Bureau of Agriculture Economics, was concerned mainly with the 975 million acres held by individuals, 3 percent owning 1,000 acres or more, while 97 percent owning less.

     About one/fourth of owners had 70 to 130 acres, while nearly 1/5 had holdings ranging from 30 to 69 acres and another 1/5 had less than 30 acres.

    More statistics:

            80% was owned by farmers and retired farmers

            14% was owned by business and professionals

             2% was owned by housewives

             5% was owned by clerical people and laborers.