Farming continues to be the backbone of employment, production and land use in the United States. The food that makes it onto your plate undergoes a lengthy journey from planting to harvest, as farmers battle logistics and harsh weather to produce quality food for a hungry world.
Here are some surprising facts that you never knew about what the American farming landscape looks like.
1. Agriculture Accounts for 5.5% of the GDP
Agriculture and food-related industries account for $1.537 trillion of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). Farming contributes $222.3 billion to this total.
2. Farming Contributes to 10.4% of U.S. Employment
The agriculture and food sectors employed 22.1 million people in full- and part-time jobs in 2022. On-the-farm employment accounted for 2.6 million jobs, while other food-related employment made up another 19.6 million jobs. Farms contribute significantly to the U.S. economy regarding raw products, securing the food chain and providing large-scale employment.
3. Meat-Processing Facilities Can Process Millions of Pounds of Meat Annually
Meat processing is a thriving industry, and it’s another big employer. Some facilities process an average of 25,000 turkeys daily to meet local and international demands.
4. An Acre of Land Can Grow Several Crops
Clever homesteaders are turning small parcels of land and their own resources into cash crop dreams that provide sustainability beyond the commercial food system. A single acre is capable of producing up to 2,784 pounds of wheat and 50,000 pounds of strawberries when correctly farmed.
5. Beginner Farmers Make up 30% of All Operators
Being in farming for less than 10 years means you’re considered a newbie farmer and still learning to handle various factors like crop rotation and navigating extreme weather. The average age of new farmers is 47, showing how long it takes to enter the industry.
6. Farmers Are Leading the Way in Green Energy
From 2012-2022, operators have shifted to embracing renewable energy, such as solar panels, hydro systems and wind power to manage their power requirements. The number of farms that used renewable energy-producing systems increased by 167% over this 10-year period, reducing the load on national energy providers and cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Americans Waste One-Third of All Food Produced
Farmers grow increasing quantities of food to meet global demand, but America ranks as the third-most wasteful nation, throwing away one-third of all produced food. Wasted food and food loss account for 8% of the planet’s anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
8. Agricultural Acreage Accounts for 39% of All Land
Farms and ranches take up 39% of all land in the U.S. The average farm is 463 acres, and there are about 1.9 million farms and ranches across the country. Women make their mark, and 36% of all producers are female.
9. Farmers Only Make up 2% of the U.S. Population
Farmers and ranch families only make up 2% of the national population. Operators earn about 15 cents of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home.
10. There’s Big Money in Soybeans
One of the top U.S. crops is soybeans. During 2023, the harvest was 4.16 billion bushels. The U.S. is second in soybean production after Brazil. The U.S. exported 52% of its production, and China is the top importer of U.S. soybeans.
11. Direct Sales Are Growing in Popularity
Farmers usually sell to large corporations or markets, but direct sales are increasing. Direct-to-consumer sales are popular along the West Coast, especially in California. Sales methods include farmers markets, on-farm stores and stands, and the ever-popular “u-pick” initiatives.
12. The Midwest Has Lost 57 Billion Tons of Soil
With less than 0.1% of the original prairie remaining, farming methods contribute to massive soil loss. The last 160 years have seen 57.6 billion metric tons of soil lost to wind and water erosion. However, operators embrace new technologies, and no-till planting is gaining popularity because it rebuilds the soil profile and combats erosion.
13. Most U.S. Farms Are Small and Family Run
In 2023, family-owned small farms comprised 41% of U.S. farmland, accounting for 17% of the total value of production. These small-scale operations utilize most of their available acreage to grow hay, raise cattle, and produce poultry and eggs.
14. The Most U.S. Farmers Are Ready to Retire
Most farmers in the U.S. are over the age of 65, with only 300,000 younger than 35. While beginning farmers receive support, the generational knowledge that the industry will lose with the retirement of many older operators is a serious concern.
With farmers retiring, their land often falls out of the production cycle, which can seriously influence food security and diversity in the country. The number of farms is decreasing, with 141,733 fewer from 2017 to 2022, or a loss of 20 million acres in just five years.
15. Cultivating Christmas Trees Is a Crop
You may not consider a Christmas tree a crop, but in 2022, 16,612 farms cultivated these trees as crops across 292,050 acres. Surprisingly, fewer operators cultivate maple syrup, with only 9,573 farms in the game, though maple tree forests account for 5,845,209 acres. Farmers raise and grow everything in your Christmas feast, from the turkey to potatoes and corn. They even grow the tree you place gifts under.
Eat Up
Statistics only tell a portion of your food’s tale, but they create a clearer picture of the life and experiences of farmers. As they say, “Without farmers, the world goes hungry.” So, eat up and remember that each bite speaks of the generations and hours of labor involved in feeding you and your loved ones.
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