produce power, heat, or mechanical energy by 
converting resources either to electricity or to motor 
power. 
Biodiesel . Data are for production of non-petroleum 
based diesel fuel made from vegetable oil or animal 
fats. Biodiesel can be used alone or blended with 
conventional petroleum-based diesel fuel 
Ethanol. A fuel produced by converting crops such 
as corn and sugarcane, biomass crops, or wood. This 
fuel is generally blended with gasoline. Production 
of ethanol for fuel requires a permit from the Bureau 
of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Only 
ethanol production for fuel was reported. 
Geoexchange system. A system that uses 
temperatures from the earth to reduce the operational 
costs of heating and cooling. 
Methane digesters. It is a device which captures 
biogas resulting from the decomposition of manure, 
processing by-products, and other materials. 
Harvested biogas is used as a substitute for natural 
gas to power engines which generate electricity. It is 
fed into the natural gas pipeline or flared. Methane 
digesters were reported only if in production and 
used in 2012. 
Small hydro system. A water driven system, which 
produces electricity, by the gravitational force of 
falling or flowing water. It excludes water driven 
systems that only provide mechanical power, such as 
turning a grinding stone for a flour mill. 
Solar panel. A flat panel designed to capture the 
sun’s energy. Include photovoltaic systems, which 
convert light from the sun into electricity, and 
thermal systems that passively generate electricity. 
Wind turbines. A device which converts wind power 
into electricity. Include wind generators, wind power 
units, wind energy converters and aero generators. 
Exclude windmills, which do not produce electricity. 
Rental of farmland. See Total income from farm- 
related sources, gross before taxes and expenses; 
Gross cash rent or share payments. 
Sales, total. See Market value of agricultural 
products sold. 
B - 20 APPENDIX B 
Sheep and lambs inventory. Data for Western 
States (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MN, MT, NV, 
ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY) are for sheep and lambs 
of all ages owned regardless of location. Data for all 
other States are for sheep and lambs of all ages on 
the operation regardless of ownership. Sheep and 
lambs were collected in their own section to clarify 
to respondents when to report “owned” sheep and 
lambs versus any sheep and lambs on the operation. 
Short-rotation woody crops. Data are for short- 
rotation woody crops that grow from seed to a 
mature tree in 10 years or less. These are trees for 
use by the paper or pulp industry or as engineered 
wood. This does not include lumber. Acres in 
production were included in Cropland harvested in 
the “Land” section of the report form. 
Size of farm. See Farms by size. 
Small hydro system. See Renewable energy 
producing systems. 
Solar panel. See Renewable energy producing 
systems. 
Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin. Operators of 
Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin are found in all 
of the racial groups listed in the census and were 
tabulated according to the race reported, as well as 
on tables pertaining only to this group. 
Sport or game fish. Data are for sport or game fish 
raised on farms to be used primarily for sport. 
Examples include bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, 
smallmouth bass, sunfish, muskie, northern pike, and 
walleye. 
Squash, all. All squash is a summation of summer 
squash and winter squash. Total acres, acres for fresh 
market, and acres for processing were collected by 
category. 
Squash, summer. See Squash, all. 
Squash, winter. See Squash, all. 
Sweet potatoes. Sweet potato acres are included in 
the vegetable acres. Data are for total acres 
harvested, acres harvested for fresh market, and 
acres harvested for processing. Production was not 
2012 Census of Agriculture 
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service 
