Barn, Farmhouse & Tree, Oklahoma Plains, USA
Although Oklahoma suffered massive environmental damage and population losses during the 1930s Dust Bowl, the agricultural sector has since reclaimed its important role in the State's economy. Nonetheless, smaller 'family farms' are increasingly less able to compete effectively and continue to decline in importance.
Seventy years ago, there were nearly seven million American farmers. Now there are about two million, even though the general U.S. population has doubled. Between 1987 and 1992, America lost an average of 32,500 farms per year, mostly family farmers. Of those small farmers still on the land, 80% have farm income below the poverty line. They've had to earn most of their income off the farm. This has been the story in America for decades: more bankruptcies, fewer farmers and ever larger farms. 75% of U.S. farm production now comes from only 50,000 farming operations.
Barn, Farmhouse & Tree, Oklahoma Plains, USA
Although Oklahoma suffered massive environmental damage and population losses during the 1930s Dust Bowl, the agricultural sector has since reclaimed its important role in the State's economy. Nonetheless, smaller 'family farms' are increasingly less able to compete effectively and continue to decline in importance.
Seventy years ago, there were nearly seven million American farmers. Now there are about two million, even though the general U.S. population has doubled. Between 1987 and 1992, America lost an average of 32,500 farms per year, mostly family farmers. Of those small farmers still on the land, 80% have farm income below the poverty line. They've had to earn most of their income off the farm. This has been the story in America for decades: more bankruptcies, fewer farmers and ever larger farms. 75% of U.S. farm production now comes from only 50,000 farming operations.