2 million farms dot America’s rural landscape, and 98% are operated by families – individuals, family partnerships or family corporations (America’s Diverse Family Farms, 2020 Edition).
About 11% of U.S. farmers are serving or have served in the military.
86% of U.S. agricultural products are produced on family farms or ranches.
After accounting for input costs, farmers and ranchers receive only 8 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home. The rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate: wages and materials for production, processing, marketing, transportation and distribution.
25% of all farmers are beginning farmers (in business less than 10 years); their average age is 46.
Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable and among the world’s safest, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families.
One acre of land can grow a variety of crops, including 50,000 pounds of strawberries or 2,784 pounds (46.4 bushels) of wheat.
Compared to 2012, the number of farm operators of Spanish, Hispanic or Latino origin is higher, up 13% to 112,451. There also are more Black farm operators (45,508, up 2%) today compared to 2012.
One day’s production for a high-producing dairy cow yields 4.8 pounds of butter, 8.7 gallons of ice cream or 10.5 pounds of cheese.
On any given day, one in eight Americans will eat pizza.
Farm and ranch families comprise less than 2% of the U.S. population.
Total U.S. corn yield (tons per acre) has increased more than 360% since 1950.
Of the 10% of disposable income Americans spend on food each year, 46% is for food eaten at home and 54% is for food eaten away from home.
Many Americans celebrate holidays with food, spending a total of nearly $14 billion each year.
One U.S. farm feeds 166 people annually in the U.S. and abroad. The global population is expected to increase by 2.2 billion by 2050, which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 70% more food than what is now produced.
Cattle and calves, corn, and soybeans are the top three U.S. farm products.
Farming accounts for about 1% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
In 2018, $139.6 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world. The United States sells more food and fiber to world markets than we import, creating a positive agricultural trade balance.
About 8% of U.S. farms market foods locally through direct-to-consumer or intermediated sales.
The pounds of feed (grain, forage, etc.) a dairy cow needs to eat to produce 100 pounds of milk has decreased by more than 40% on average in the last 40 years.
Farm programs typically cost each American just pennies per meal and account for less than one-half of 1% of the total U.S. budget.
More than half of America’s farmers intentionally provide habitat for wildlife. Deer, moose, birds and other species have shown significant population increases for decades.
Careful stewardship by America’s food producers has spurred a 34% decline in erosion of cropland by wind and water since 1982.
Americans throw away about 25% of the food they purchase for at-home consumption.
A whopping 40% of all food grown and produced in the U.S. is never eaten.
About 25% of U.S. farm products by value are exported each year.
Women make up 36% of the total number of U.S. farm operators; 56% of all farms have at least one female decision-maker.
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of agriculture and farming, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics within America's rural landscape. My passion for the subject has led me to explore diverse aspects of farming, from the operational intricacies to the socioeconomic factors that shape the industry.
Let's delve into the information provided in the article, breaking down the key concepts:
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Farm Ownership and Operation:
- There are approximately 2 million farms in the United States.
- A staggering 98% of these farms are operated by families, which include individuals, family partnerships, or family corporations.
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Military Service in Farming:
- Around 11% of U.S. farmers have served or are currently serving in the military.
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Family Farms' Contribution to Agriculture:
- Family farms or ranches contribute significantly, producing 86% of U.S. agricultural products.
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Income Distribution in the Farming Sector:
- After accounting for input costs, farmers and ranchers receive a mere 8 cents out of every dollar spent on food. The remaining funds cover wages, materials, production, processing, marketing, transportation, and distribution.
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Beginning Farmers:
- 25% of all farmers are classified as beginning farmers, with an average age of 46.
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Efficiency and Safety of Food Supply:
- The efficiency and productivity of America's farm and ranch families contribute to an abundant, affordable, and safe food supply for Americans.
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Crop Yield and Diversity:
- One acre of land can yield various crops, such as 50,000 pounds of strawberries or 2,784 pounds (46.4 bushels) of wheat.
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Diversity in Farm Operators:
- The number of farm operators of Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin has increased by 13% compared to 2012.
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Dairy Production:
- A high-producing dairy cow can yield 4.8 pounds of butter, 8.7 gallons of ice cream, or 10.5 pounds of cheese in one day.
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Consumer Behavior:
- On any given day, one in eight Americans will consume pizza.
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Farm and Ranch Family Percentage:
- Farm and ranch families constitute less than 2% of the U.S. population.
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Corn Yield Increase:
- Total U.S. corn yield has increased by more than 360% since 1950.
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Food Expenditure:
- Americans spend 10% of their disposable income on food each year, with 46% for food eaten at home and 54% for food eaten away from home.
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Holiday Food Spending:
- Americans spend nearly $14 billion each year on food during holidays.
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Global Food Production Challenge:
- One U.S. farm feeds 166 people annually in the U.S. and abroad. The global population increase by 2.2 billion by 2050 necessitates a 70% increase in food production.
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Top U.S. Farm Products:
- Cattle and calves, corn, and soybeans are the top three U.S. farm products.
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Agriculture's Contribution to GDP:
- Farming accounts for about 1% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
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Agricultural Exports:
- In 2018, $139.6 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported worldwide, creating a positive agricultural trade balance.
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Local Food Marketing:
- About 8% of U.S. farms market foods locally through direct-to-consumer or intermediated sales.
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Dairy Efficiency:
- The pounds of feed a dairy cow needs to produce 100 pounds of milk have decreased by over 40% in the last 40 years.
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Farm Program Costs:
- Farm programs cost each American just pennies per meal and account for less than one-half of 1% of the total U.S. budget.
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Wildlife Habitat Preservation:
- More than half of America's farmers intentionally provide habitat for wildlife, leading to significant population increases in various species.
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Stewardship and Erosion Reduction:
- Careful stewardship by food producers has resulted in a 34% decline in erosion of cropland by wind and water since 1982.
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Food Waste:
- Americans discard about 25% of the food they purchase for at-home consumption.
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Food Waste in Production:
- A substantial 40% of all food grown and produced in the U.S. is never consumed.
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Exportation of U.S. Farm Products:
- About 25% of U.S. farm products by value are exported each year.
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Women in Farming:
- Women make up 36% of the total number of U.S. farm operators, and 56% of all farms have at least one female decision-maker.
These key concepts underscore the multifaceted nature of American agriculture, emphasizing its economic, social, and environmental significance.
