We are the 2%

This past year, we got to see the 99% rise up against the greedy 1%.  I never quite understood what they were protesting, but I'm sure they were justified in some form.  I'm here to talk about a different imbalance within the US. The 2% of American farmers, ranchers, and growers feeding the rest of the US.

My question this week is how did such a big industry like agriculture get so small on the grower's end? The answer is technology and a few important events.

In 1790, with a population of just over 3 million, 90% of the labor force was in farming (much of which included slaves). At this time, there was very little in mechanization. Harvest and planting was all done by hand, and plowing could be done with a mule, ox, or even a horse.

In 1840, with a population of just over 17 million, the labor force was 69% farming. In 1850, this percentage dipped to 64%, with 203 acres being the average farm. In 1860, this figure dipped again, to 58% of the labor force, but the average acres dropped slightly, to 199. This, I believe was the start of a more efficient land management system. We'll see a reversal of farm size as the demand for food/fuel/fiber increases with population.

1870, the labor force was 53%; Slavery had been abolished by this point in history. In 1880, the scales were tipped, as 49% of the labor force was involved in farming. Farmers were supporting more than 1 additional person and with a national population of nearly 50 million, this was no small task.

By 1910, less than a third of the labor force was committed to farming. This trend continues in the 1920s and 1930s, and many people got out of farming during the advent of the dust bowl. This exodus of farmers, coupled with the mechanized harvester led to an increase in average acreage per farm. By 1940, the statistic was less than one fifth. 1960 saw the US labor force dip below 10% committed to farming. By this time, not only did farmers have tractors, but the advent of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and more efficient land management made this possible to produce more food for more people.

In 1995, we bottomed out at the 1.8%. And this number is probably even lower now. The average farm size is about 470 acres, which would have been unbelievably difficult to manage back in colonial times. We have come a long way technologically.

Today, there are (approximately) 3 million farmers/ranchers/growers that provide all the food, fiber, and farm products to not only themselves, but to an extra 297 million people. But, what's more impressive, is the actual carrying capacity of each farmer. According to Americasfarmers.com the average farmer can feed up to 155 people. Here's the biggest shocker, we actually maintain a surplus in production. That's right, we produce more than we consume. We have maintained a net export since the 1970s, one of the few industries that has maintained such a high rate of export.  I went ahead and crunched the numbers, and if this 2% were all working towards just feeding the world, our 2% would be able to feed our great nation and maintain a surplus of 35%! Currently, one third of all arable land grows crops that are destined to be exported.

So the next time you go shopping, and you're standing in the line, look at everyone around you in the store. It's amazing to think that all those people may have theoretically been supported by one grower. So while the 99% were demanding equality from the 1%, I want to thank the 2% and their hard work to feed the US and the rest of the world!

For more information, I found this website to be very helpful: