Bibliography

Sources

All claims in the analysis cite one or more of these sources. Federal data (U.S. Courts, USDA ERS, Federal Reserve) are primary; AFBF Market Intel synthesizes court data annually and is the primary secondary source for state-level breakdowns.

Sources

Primary government sources

U.S. Courts — Bankruptcy Filings Statistics — quarterly and annual Chapter 12 filing counts.
Epiq AACER — April 2026 Commercial Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filings (May 6, 2026) — monthly Chapter 12 totals: 62 filings in April 2026 (+130% YoY), 34 in March 2026.
U.S. Courts — Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Basics — eligibility, debt limits, process.
USDA ERS — Farm Sector Income & Finances — net farm income, debt, asset, and forecast data.
USDA ERS — Farm Income and Wealth Statistics — primary historical income and balance-sheet data files.
USDA ERS — Highlights from the Farm Income Forecast — current forecast summary.
USDA ERS — Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Rates Have Increased in Most Agricultural States (Nov 2021) — state-level rate analysis.
USDA ERS — Farm sector Chapter 12 bankruptcies in 2022 lowest since 2004 — long-term filings chart.
USDA NASS — Census of Agriculture — 2017 and 2022 farm counts.
USDA ERS — Number of U.S. farms falls below 2 million (2022 Census).
Congressional Research Service — Farm Debt and Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Eligibility (IN11073).

Sources

Sources

Primary government sources

Federal Reserve and credit data

American Farm Bureau Federation — Market Intel series

Academic and extension sources

2026 outlook and forecast

Trade press and news (for state-level color and recent context)