Farming and food conjure up many images in people’s minds: romantic visions of hardworking family farmers toiling away on behalf of the average Joe and Jane. That are certainly thousands of farms that fit that image, but for the most, farming is a lot different than most people think. What are some of the myths and truths?
Farming is a big business
With the world population growing and people in developing countries demanding more calorie-rich diets as they edge their way out of poverty, the world’s bread basket–the United States–needs to produce ever more grains and fruit. To meet that demand, the number of farms has shrunk in much the same way that there are fewer auto companies and computer manufacturers then there were when those industries were young. We have about 2 million farms in the US, about one third of what we had 80 years ago. The US government spends $256 billion on tax subsidies. Small family farms are becoming a distant memory. But that doesn’t mean farmers are getting rich. Farmers’ net income has stagnated in recent years.
The United States is wasteful about food
Americans throw away about one third of the $500 billion in food we produce each year. That includes about 6 billion pounds of fruits and vegetables. Some of the waste is leftovers, but farmers also dispose of lots of food because of mold, pests and weather related issues.
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Organic farming services the most affluent consumers
This is a reality check for everyone. The US is now producing about $35 billion in organic products. Who is buying them? It’s not the poor or middle class. The National Sustainable Agriculture Service says organic foods cost on average 85% more than conventional food, and yet offer no nutritional advantages. The environmental benefits of organic farmers is hotly debated, with many scientists saying conventional practices, which include no till farming paired with the US of GMO crops, are actually ecologically superior.
