The State of Local Farms in America (2026)
US Farm Trail tracks 33,046 farms, ranches, and markets that sell direct to the public across all 50 states. Here is what the data says about where they are and what they grow. Everything below is free to cite — a link back to this page is all we ask.
States with the most local farms per resident
Raw counts favor big states. Adjusted for population, the map flips — rural New England and the Mountain West punch far above their weight. Farms per 100,000 residents:
States with the most local farms (total)
What local farms sell
Farms often fit more than one category. By count:
Methodology & citation
Counts reflect direct-to-consumer farms, ranches, and markets listed in the US Farm Trail directory as of October 2026, drawn from public sources including the USDA Local Food Directories and verified farmer submissions. Population figures are 2023 US Census estimates. Data updates continuously, so figures shift over time. To cite: “US Farm Trail, The State of Local Farms in America (2026).” Questions or press: use the contact link in the footer.
Find the farms behind these numbers — browse the full directory or open the map.