In North Dakota, the needle hasn't moved a lot — but it might soon. In 1980, the average farm size in North Dakota was 1,042.5 acres. But what else changed is what has led to fewer small grocery stores and fewer small equipment dealerships and fewer small ... well, everything. From what I know, a small dairy is probably among the most intensive occupations you could choose. As fewer people have wanted to do the work — or have been able to make it work — farms and ranches have gotten bigger.