NAICS 111920

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the production-oriented taxonomy that U.S. statistical agencies use to classify establishments for the collection, analysis, and publication of economic data. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997, and the current statistical vintage used for Economic Census publications is 2022. ¹

NAICS 111920 covers establishments primarily engaged in growing cotton. Activities stop at the “farm gate” (point of first sale/price determination). Cotton ginning is excluded and classified in 115111 Cotton Ginning. Classification within Crop Production (Sector 11) follows the rule that a crop must account for at least half of an establishment’s agricultural production to assign the specific industry; otherwise, general combination crops fall under 11199. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Cultivating and harvesting field-grown cotton through the point of first sale (“farm gate”). ²
• Farm operations for cotton that include planting, irrigating, cultivating, and on-farm handling incidental to growing cotton. ²
• Cotton production establishments where cotton represents at least one-half of agricultural output by value. ²
• Cotton grown for fiber as the principal commodity of the farm establishment. ²
• Inclusion of crop farms whether the producer owns and operates or operates and manages the establishment. ²
• Exclusion of cotton ginning and other support activities (classified under 115111 and other 1151 support industries). ²
• Coverage within Sector 11’s Crop Production subsector, which includes farms, orchards, nurseries, and similar establishments. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	115111	Cotton Ginning (excludes from farming; separate support activity). 2
NAICS	11199	All Other Crop Farming (general combination crop farms when no single crop ≥ 50%). 2
NAICS	111998	All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming (miscellaneous crops not elsewhere classified). 2

SBA small business size standard (contracting)

• The Small Business Administration size standard for 111920 is $3.25 million in average annual receipts. Effective March 17, 2023 (Table of Small Business Size Standards). ³

Classification notes and exclusions

• Establishments primarily engaged in growing cotton are in 111920; those primarily engaged in ginning cotton are in 115111. ²
• Crop farms are classified by the commodity or family of commodities that accounts for ≥ 50% of agricultural production value; otherwise, assign to 11199. ²
• The production process in Sector 11 is considered complete when the raw product reaches the farm gate; postharvest services beyond ginning are classified in specific support activities (1151). ²

Frequently asked questions

• What does NAICS 111920 include?

  • It includes farm establishments primarily engaged in growing cotton, with activities ending at the farm gate (first sale/price determination). It does not include ginning or other support services, which are classified separately. ²

• How is a mixed-crop farm classified if cotton is not the majority?

  • If no single crop (including cotton) accounts for at least half of agricultural production value, the establishment is classified under 11199 All Other Crop Farming as a general combination crop farm. ²

• Is cotton ginning part of NAICS 111920?

  • No. Cotton ginning is excluded from 111920 and classified under 115111 Cotton Ginning within Support Activities for Crop Production. ²

• What is the current SBA small business size standard for NAICS 111920?

  • The SBA size standard is $3.25 million in average annual receipts for this industry, effective March 17, 2023. ³

• Did NAICS 2022 change the definition of 111920?

  • Not specified by official sources. The 2022 NAICS lists 111920 as Cotton Farming. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 111920 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/111920
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification (2022 vintage guidance). ¹
• U.S. Census Bureau — Sector 11 (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting) definitions and cross-references, including 111920 and 115111. ²
• U.S. SBA — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau. Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 Guidance). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS Sector 11 — Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (includes 111920 Cotton Farming and cross-references). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect11.html
3. U.S. Small Business Administration. Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023%20%282%29.pdf