Agriculture in the Appalachian region has progressed since the ARC was established in 1965 when it was characterized by small farms with low incomes that contributed to the Region's high rate of poverty. However, the region's agriculture remains relatively small compared to that of the United States with an average farm size of 152 compared with 487 acres. The area is more dependent on animal agriculture with three fourths of it income compared to half for the nation. Farm operators obtain a large share of their income from work off-farm. However, farms in the region have become more specialized and oriented more toward market activities.