'America is a factory farming nation': key takeaways from US agriculture census

[redqueen]

Nothing shocking. Just business as usual in the corporate states of America

Small farms and Black farmers are going out of business, while corporate-controlled farms are booming, raking in subsidies

Record numbers of US farms are going out of business with small farms and Black farmers the hardest hit – again, according to the 2022 agriculture census, a comprehensive snapshot of the state of America’s farms and farmers published every five years by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Yet industrial factory farms rearing thousands of livestock in confinement have further expanded into rural America, acquiring smaller farms, raking in taxpayer subsidies and generating environmental harms.
...
Climate smart agriculture and conservation remain rare among American farmers – despite government programs
...
Large farms and corporations benefit most from taxpayer dollars
...

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/15/us-agriculture-census-farming

[TwilightZone]

1. Unfortunately, that's been the case for several decades now.

It's gotten more extensive, of course, and is only getting worse, but when I was growing up in South Dakota in the early 1980s, the corporate farms and ranches were already beginning to take over the fed subsidy list in the Upper Midwest. They also took huge exception when anyone pointed out that farm subsidies were government assistance.

[redqueen]

2. The charts are depressing. Nothing new but getting much worse.

[TwilightZone]

4. Agreed.

It does take some efficiency to provide for 300 million people (plus, much of the world), so corporate farms can be a bit of a necessary evil in certain areas and industries, but I wish we could find a happy medium where family farms were better supported, to the point of self-sufficiency and beyond, and where we weren't just supporting larger and larger corporate profits.

[mucifer]

3. When I think of factory farming I also think about animal cruelty and suffering it happens

on all farmed animals . But, it's so much worse on factory farms. This includes egg and dairy.

[Trailrider1951]

5. Washington State has a program to benefit both small farmers and low income seniors

It's the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program
This program is handled through your county social services offices. It provides a few dollars to residents over 60 years old for the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey produced locally and sold at farm stands. Last year they gave me $80 on a card that is used like a credit card. You must meet low income guidelines to receive benefits, income needs to be below 185% of federal poverty numbers. THIS type of program is so helpful! It benefits both local farmers and low income seniors. I think this sort of program should be available throughout the country.

[Midnight Writer]

6. The more wealth our oligarchs have, the more of our economy they will own.

They are buying all the houses and turning them into rentals.

They are buying family farms and turning them into massive agribusinesses.

They are buying our utilities, our promising small business start-ups, our hospitals and healthcare systems, our courts and politicians.

Eventually, they will own everything and we will all have to pay them fees just for living.

[Lonestarblue]

7. And that's why we have a cancer-causing food supply.

[Oneironaut]

8. Just like how small businesses are being destroyed by corporations.

Enter area, cut prices, destroy small businesses, then raise prices higher than they were before.

[zeusdogmom]

9. If it is possible for you, buy local thus supporting the small farmer

Search out suppliers of locally produced food items. Join a CSA (community supported agriculture). Shop the farm markets. I realize it is not feasible for everyone but if you can support the local, independent farmers. It is the best way for them to survive.

I live in central Ohio. Within 30-40 miles - and usually closer - I can purchase beef, chicken, pork, lamb, eggs, cheese, milk, etc. - all raised and sold by local people. A pick your own fruit farm - not organic, but local, supplies all of my apples and supplements my supply of other produce items all raised by other local, independent growers. I tend to eat fresh seasonally while relying on the produce I grow myself and preserve and store for use later. This morning I opened a jar of apple pie filling I canned last fall with some of the apples I picked and made a pie for the neighbor who helped me clear last night’s snow from my driveway and sidewalks.

A good read : Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - an account of her family’s attempts to eat locally for a year. It compelled me to adjust my eating - and buying - patterns. Yes I buy produce from other areas - little chilly for oranges and grapefruit here (see above reference of clearing snow from driveway) Ditto the avocados I dearly love. 😄

We can also encourage our elected representatives to make some changes to the ag support programs. They are most certainly skewed to large, corporate ag businesses. Talk to a small farmer. Ask them what the government could do - or not do - to make their lives easier and more financially secure.

I fully realize my small steps do little to change the world. But that doesn’t mean I should stop and give up. We can all make a positive impact by the choices we make in our daily lives. Small steps added together ….

OK end of my pontificating. 😁. I’m going to go walk Zeus and enjoy the beautiful sunshine and snow.

[hunter]

10. Our nation is addicted to factory farm meat and dairy products...

... and by extension the industrial scale agriculture required to grow feed for those animals.

Anyone who suggests factory farm meat and dairy products are not necessities is bound to get an earful, even here on DU.

I look forward to a time where the most popular burgers at common fast food places are not made of meat.