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Support Your Community by Supporting Your Community's Farmers
Family farms are an American tradition in danger of fading
away.
- Family farms are an important part of the American tradition of self-sufficiency, forming the bedrock for
communities across the U.S.
- Since 1935, the U.S. has lost 4.7 million farms.1 Fewer than one million Americans now claim farming as a primary occupation.2
- Farmers in 2002 earned their lowest real net cash income since 1940.3 Meanwhile corporate agribusiness profits have nearly
doubled (increased 98%) since 1990.4
- Large corporations increasingly dominate U.S. food production. Four large firms control over 80% of beef slaughter,
59% of pork packing, and 50% of broiler chicken production.5
Family farmers are the heart of Americar's rural communities.
- Local family farmers spend their money with local merchants. The money stays in town where it benefits everyone and
builds a stronger local economy. Independent, family-owned farms supply more local jobs and contribute to the local
economy at higher rates than do large, corporate-owned farms.
- Eating locally grown, healthy food strengthens your family and community.
- Local farmers who sell direct to consumers receive a larger share of the profit for their food.
Buying local is this easy:
- Find a farmer, farmers' market, farm stand, or local food outlet near you, visit
-
Shop at your local farmers' market or farm stand
for the freshest, best tasting food available. It s easy to find local
food. There are over 3,100 farmers' markets in the U.S.—one is
probably near you!6
- Encourage your local grocery stores and area restaurants to purchase more of their products from local
farmers.
1USDA. 2002. ?Number of farms, land in farms, and value of farm real estate, 1910-2002.? Economic Research Service Web site. url: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/farmincome/finfidmu.htm).
2U.S. Census Bureau. 2002. ?Detailed Occupation by Race, Hispanic Origin and Sex.? U.S. Census Bureau Web site. url: http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/eeo/eeojobs.pl.
3USDA. 2002. ?Farm income and balance sheet statistics in constant U.S. dollars, 1929-2002.? Economic Research Service Web site. url: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/farmincome/finfidmu.htm.
4Elitzak, Howard. 2000. ?Food Marketing Costs.? Economic Research Service Web site. url: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/foodreview/septdec00/FRsept00e.pdf.
5Krebs, Al. 2002. Agribusiness Examiner. Issue 144. url: http://www.ea1.com/CARP/agbiz/144.htm.
6USDA. 2002. ?Farmer?s Market Facts.? Agricultural Marketing Services Web site. url: http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/facts.htm.
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