(< 2,000 acres) n = 1,109
Small farms
(2,000–5,000 acres)
n = 157
Medium farms
(> 5,000 acres) n = 88
Large farms
Source: McKinsey US Farmer Insights 2022–23 (n = 1,354)
While many farmers are aware of sustainable farming practices, holistic adoption across practices is less than 50 percent.
Large farms are leading in practice adoption vs smaller farms
Q: What is your level of adoption of the following sustainable farming practices and energy- and water-efficient operations? (n = 1,354)
Currently implementing this practice
Not using now but planning to use it in the next 2 years
Farmer adoption by farm size,
% of respondents
No till
Low till
Cover crops
Variable-rate fertilizer
Controlled-release and stabilized fertilizer
Riparian buffers
Stormwater management
Biocontrols
Controlled irrigation
Trees on cropland
On-farm renewable energy
Equipment electrification