The Truth About American Agriculture, Revealed
The average American is at least three generations removed from the farm. This surprising statistic is the cause for one of the most prevalent issues in America - agricultural literacy. You may be wondering, what is agricultural literacy? The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture defines an agriculturally literate person this way:
“A person who understands how the agricultural industry works – not just where food comes from, but who grows it, agriculture’s effect on the economy, environment, technology, lifestyle and its relationship to livestock.”
The truth about American agriculture is that it is one of the most innovative industries, and the foundation for our civilization. Without agriculture, our food, clothing, economy, and overall life would change drastically. Whether you know where your food comes from, or you are starting to learn, understanding agriculture is important. Even simply knowing some basic facts and ideas can go a long way when learning about American Agriculture.
There are 2.1 million farms in the United States. Agriculture is known to be an industry that has close ties to family. Out of the 2.1 million farms, about 98% of them are family owned. These farms take up 914 million acres of land that is dedicated to feeding the American people. Just one farmer grows enough food to feed 144 people (2014) annually.
Not only does agriculture feed America, but it plays a crucial role in our economy. In 2019 agriculture, food, and related industries contributed $1.109 trillion in U.S. gross domestic product. Additionally, the agricultural industry employs over 24 million Americans!
As we begin to near 2021, try to make it your resolution to reveal the truth about American agriculture! If you are interested in working on your agriculture literacy, here are some reliable resources to check out!
U.S. Department of Agriculture