Western Farmers Big Internet Users

August 12, 1999

A new study finds 41% of farms in the western United States have Internet access compared with 29% nationwide. Among western farms, Internet use has more than doubled from 1997.

The study was conducted by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Among western farmers, operations in Washington state have the highest Internet usage at 50% with California at 46%, Utah at 45%, Arizona at 44% and New Mexico at 42%.

Farm Internet access has increased from 13% in 1997 to 29% now, the NASS study shows. The larger the farm, the more likely computer and Internet use is part of the operation. This year, 77% of U.S. farms with sales greater than $250,000 have access to a computer; 72% own or lease a computer, 65% use a computer for their farm business.