If you own or operate an agricultural business and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The broad NAICS code for the agriculture sector is 11 (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting). However, the federal government does not allow businesses to use a broad 2-digit code on official forms. You must drill down to the exact 6-digit code that represents your specific crop or livestock. This page covers how the agriculture sector is broken down so you can identify the exact code that fits your farm or ranch.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 11 (Sector) / 111 (Crop Production) / 112 (Animal Production) |
| Industry Title | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting |
| Sector | 11 (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting) |
| Total U.S. Businesses | 355,260+ |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does the Agriculture NAICS Sector Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, Sector 11 covers establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish from farms, ranches, or their natural habitats.
Because agriculture is so vast, the government divides this sector into five distinct subsectors based on the provided data:
- Crop Production (111): This covers establishments growing crops for food, fiber, and seed. It is broken down into oilseed and grain farming (like corn, wheat, and soybeans), vegetable and melon farming, fruit and tree nut farming (like oranges, apples, and grapes), greenhouse and nursery production, and other miscellaneous crops (like cotton, tobacco, and hay).
- Animal Production and Aquaculture (112): This covers establishments raising animals for sale or products. It includes cattle ranching and feedlots, hog and pig farming, poultry and egg production, sheep and goat farming, aquaculture (fish and shellfish farming), and other animals like bees (apiculture) and horses.
- Forestry and Logging (113): Covers growing and harvesting timber on long production cycles, operating timber tracts, and gathering forest products like maple sap or ginseng.
- Fishing, Hunting and Trapping (114): Covers commercial catching of finfish and shellfish from their natural habitats, as well as commercial hunting and trapping.
- Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115): Covers businesses that support farms but don’t do the actual farming, such as cotton ginning, soil preparation, crop harvesting by machine, farm labor contracting, and farm management services.
The important distinction here is raw production. This sector covers the act of growing or raising the raw commodity. It does not cover the manufacturing of that commodity (like turning wheat into flour, which falls under Manufacturing Sector 31).
Does My Agriculture Business Qualify for Sector 11?
Your business qualifies for an agriculture NAICS code if:
- You operate a farm, ranch, dairy, greenhouse, or orchard
- Your main source of revenue comes from selling raw crops, livestock, or timber
- You provide contract support services like harvesting, planting, or farm labor
Your business may not qualify if:
- You manufacture food products from raw agricultural goods, which falls under 311 (Food Manufacturing) instead
- You operate a landscaping or lawn care service, which falls under 561730 (Landscaping Services) instead
- You provide veterinary care for farm animals, which falls under 541940 (Veterinary Services) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever specific crop or animal generates the majority of your revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most farmers and ranchers expect. Here is where your specific agriculture code will be required:
- USDA Programs and Grants. When you apply for Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans, NRCS conservation grants, or crop subsidy programs, the USDA requires your exact NAICS code to verify your eligibility.
- Multi-Peril Crop Insurance. This is highly critical. The federal government subsidizes crop insurance, and your premium rates are calculated entirely based on your exact 6-digit code. For example, the risk profile and premium for an apple orchard (111331) are calculated completely differently than for a corn farm (111150).
- SBA Disaster Loans. If a natural disaster, drought, or disease impacts your farm, the Small Business Administration uses your NAICS code to process emergency economic injury disaster loans.
- State Tax Exemptions. Most states offer significant sales tax, fuel tax, and property tax exemptions for agriculture, but you must provide your exact NAICS code to your state department of revenue to prove your agricultural status.
- Business Bank Accounts. Many banks and agricultural credit unions ask for your NAICS code when opening a farm operating account.
11 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Because “Agriculture” is a sector, here is an example of how a broad sector drills down to a specific 6-digit national industry (using Wheat Farming as an example):
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting |
| Subsector | 111 | Crop Production |
| Industry Group | 1111 | Oilseed and Grain Farming |
| NAICS Industry | 11114 | Wheat Farming |
| National Industry | 111140 | Wheat Farming |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAICS code for a general farm?
There is no single “general farm” 6-digit code. The government requires you to be specific. If you grow a little bit of everything and no single crop or animal accounts for more than half of your revenue, you must use a “combination” or “all other” code, such as 111998 (All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming) or 112990 (All Other Animal Production).
What if I grow multiple different crops on my farm?
You must classify your farm under the NAICS code that represents the crop or family of crops that generates the majority of your total revenue. If 60% of your farm’s income comes from corn and 40% comes from soybeans, your primary NAICS code is 111150 (Corn Farming).
Are support activities like harvesting or farm labor part of the agriculture sector?
Yes. If you own a business that provides custom harvesting, soil preparation, or farm labor contracting to other farmers, you are classified under Sector 11, but specifically under Subsector 115 (Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry). For example, a business that provides mechanical crop harvesting would use 115113.
Does the NAICS code for agriculture cover landscaping or lawn care?
No. While both involve plants, landscaping, lawn care, and ornamental shrubbery services for individual homes or commercial properties fall under Sector 81 (Other Services), specifically 561730 (Landscaping Services). You only use an agriculture code (like 111421 for Nursery and Tree Production) if you are growing the plants in a nursery setting to sell wholesale to retailers or landscapers.
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