miss america says we need more farms

April 17, 2011 in Essays & Articles

But she’s a little off if she thinks all those farms are small businesses…

http://news.thehandthatfeedsus.org/e_article002073711.cfm?x=bjld4nP,bgBrJVB4

“Can we feed a growing world population, fuel our economy, and still offer wholesome food choices
to Americans? Sure, just as long as we avoid weakening the very infrastructure that makes it all
possible.

As I write this, America has just 210,000 full-time farms.  That’s it.  And being from an
agricultural community, I know these aren’t large corporations with giant bank accounts.  These
are small businesses with huge overhead expenses and a history of modest profits.

Farming and ranching is expensive, and the risks associated with it are unlike any other
profession, which is why we’re faced with fewer and fewer U.S. producers to support more and more
people.”

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