US Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector

The 1.9 million farms and establishments involved in agricultural support, forestry, fishing, and hunting make up the sector. Establishments in this sector are focused on propagating and harvesting plants and animals for food, materials, and sport. While the vast majority of operations are small or family-owned businesses, corporate enterprises are entering the sector at a growing rate.

Food Safety and Traceability

Intentional and unintentional contamination of the US food supply is a growing concern.

Reliance on Government Support

The agricultural and fishing subsectors benefit from government subsidies that increase income and reduce risk and costs.

Sep 16, 2026 - Falling Farm Profits, Rising Debt

• US farm profits are expected to decline this year as inflation and rising debt continue to pressure the agricultural sector, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service September report. The ERS forecasts net farm income of $158.4 billion, down 2.6% from 2025 and 5.5% after adjusting for inflation. Net cash farm income is projected at $176.4 billion, essentially flat in nominal terms but down 2.5% after inflation. Crop farms generally are expected to see higher average cash income, except specialty crop operations, while livestock producers are projected to see declines. Farm sector debt is forecast to rise 4.6% to a record $605.1 billion, pushing the debt-to-asset ratio slightly higher. Despite weaker profitability and growing debt, farm income, assets and equity remain relatively strong by historical standards, and average net cash income for farm businesses is forecast to increase 7.1% to $121,700.
• The Trump administration in August moved to open untouched national forests to logging, NPR reports. The administration's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule could expand opportunities for US forestry and logging companies by opening more federal forestland to road construction and timber harvesting. The Forest Service says rescission would remove restrictions affecting nearly 45 million acres of National Forest System land and give local managers more flexibility to approve timber production and wildfire-risk reduction projects. Supporters argue that increased logging, thinning, and road access could improve forest health, reduce wildfire fuels and support rural forestry jobs. However, opponents contend that expanded road construction and logging could damage wildlife habitat, increase wildfire risks from human activity, and add to Forest Service road maintenance costs. The proposal could increase the long-term supply of federally sourced timber, but actual harvesting opportunities would depend on subsequent forest-level management decisions and environmental reviews.
• The Trump administration has proposed deep reductions in Colorado River water deliveries to Arizona, California, and Nevada during dry years over the next decade, The New York Times reports. The plan aims to address decades of drought, overuse, and shrinking river flows but could trigger prolonged legal battles over water rights and increase uncertainty for agricultural producers . Because the Colorado River irrigates about 5.5 million acres of farmland, stricter water limits could reduce irrigation for crops such as alfalfa, vegetables and other high-value produce, forcing farmers to fallow acreage, invest in water-saving technologies or shift to less water-intensive crops. Greater water scarcity may also increase production costs, reduce crop yields and tighten supplies of certain agricultural commodities, particularly in the Lower Colorado River Basin, while leaving long-term water availability uncertain as states continue negotiations.
• In July, NOAA Fisheries unveiled regional priorities under the Trump administration's America-First Seafood Strategy aimed at expanding opportunities for US commercial fishers by reducing regulatory burdens, increasing seafood production, and improving industry profitability. The plan calls for modernizing fishing fleets, revising quotas, easing monitoring requirements, reassessing area closures, improving access to fishing grounds, and maximizing harvest opportunities across regional fisheries. It also seeks to strengthen the domestic shrimp industry against import competition, increase flexibility in quota programs, and pursue higher international catch limits for highly migratory species. If implemented, the initiatives could boost catch volumes, lower compliance costs, and improve profitability for many commercial fishing operations, although regulatory changes will still require review through the regional fishery management council process.

Industry size & Structure

The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector comprises 23,300 establishments and 1.9 million farms that together employ over 2.2 million workers and generate about $616.8 billion in annual revenue.

• The sector represents 0.9% of US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 0.8% of the country's workers.
• The sector is highly fragmented, dominated by independent farms and owner-operated businesses.
• In addition to employer establishments, the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sector (aside from farms) has 255,956 owner-operated establishments with no employees. Subsectors with the highest numbers of nonemployer establishments are crop support services (26%); fishing (24%); and animal support services (23%). The owners of nonemployer firms typically perform the work and may outsource support functions like marketing and accounting.
• Overall employment in farming, fishing, forestry, and hunting occupations is projected to increase by just 1,400 jobs (0.1%) between 2024 and 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Within the sector, agricultural workers (farmworkers and laborers) are expected to lose 3% of their jobs, logging occupations are projected to lose 1,000 jobs (-2%), and forest and conservation workers are expected to lose 500 jobs (-5%) over the decade.