| | | So here's my challenge with the dire portrayal. The bulk of the farms lost are VERY small (economic value), and most are not relying on just selling agricultural products for income.
From the Farm Bureau article:
"Between 2017 and 2022 the number of farms in the $0 - $4,999 economic class dropped the most, by 120,970 (13%), followed by the $5,000 - $49,000 category, which lost 32,215 operations (5%).
Notably, farms in the $0 -$4,999 and $5,000 -$49,999 economic classes, constituting over 70% of total farms, often rely on alternative income sources. Those in the $0 - $4,999 economic class, especially, are more likely to be operations participating in agriculture for leisure or personal interest as opposed to income reliance."
What also wasn't mentioned is potential impact of drought conditions - which certainly could be impacting some areas. Or the impact of monetary value being received for the farmland no longer operated (if sold to build housing for example).
I'm also not clear on where controlled environment agriculture gets captured.
KJ
P.S. FWIW, I grew up on a less than 100 acre family farm. |
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