The agriculture field is one of the biggest employers, employing over 155 million people in the United States. What do you think about when you hear the word “agriculture?” Many people would say farming, but this is not the most common occupation in this field. Farmers make up a fraction of the agricultural jobs at 900,000, but over 2.1 million people own, rent, and claim farming as a primary source of income. The average farm size has dropped from 460 acres in 1990 to 418 acres in 2007, while the average age of this occupation rose to 57, making this one of the older workforces in the United States. Education and work conditions required for this job changed considerably. It used to be that growing up on a farm and learning as …show more content…
Growing and harvesting crops requires many tasks. Before the crop is planted, preparing the soil with disking, tilling (vertical or horizontal), and fertilizing is sometimes required depending on the conservation method used. Shorty after, it is time for the planting or drilling of the crop. During the middle of the growing season, irrigating is in full swing to make the crops grow. Also, floaters and airplanes are fighting the battle with weeds and pests. This time of the year is also slower for farmers then planting or harvesting time. As fall arrives, irrigating comes to a halt and the busy harvesting season begins. Combines, tractors and grain carts, and semi trucks fill the countryside as the race to get the crops out of the field begins. If the weather permits harvest can last as short as a couple of weeks for the smaller farms and longer then a month or two for the larger farms. During late fall and into the winter selling grain and buying seed, equipment, and fertilizer is the task at large. As you can see farmers does not get very much free time. Most of the time this occupation requires long hours, from sun up to sun set. This limits time for trips and extra curricular activities. The average income for a farmer depends a lot on the weather and growing conditions present. Year to year these change and the typical income for a salaried
Modern day farming has transformed from the farming process of last century. Instead of farmers producing for their families, farmers are now similar to input/output managers supplying massive manufacturers that feed the country.
The three farmers whom this paper has taken a look at are all interesting, they face their own problems, many of which are different, yet so very similar. The film "Farmland" is a phenomenal way to get the story of agriculture out and start eliminating the farming stereotype. "Farmland" is a wonderful film, with a ninety-two percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Whether they are facing the weather, working on their own, or working with bad crops for their animals, they will
Former president George Washington once said, “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man,” (George Washington Quote). Since Washington’s presidency, countless advancements and developments within the agricultural industry have allowed the United States to grow, develop, and become one of the most prosperous countries in the entire world. Nevertheless, this prosperity is also marked by several key historical events, such as the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions, which have caused the core values and traditions that this great nation was built on to slowly disappear. Today, the majority of Americans have no knowledge, understanding, or appreciation for the agricultural industry, causing them to take for granted the basic necessities they rely on each day. This disconnection has created a gap between producers and consumers, which is known as
Times have changed, and so has the family, the community and our environment. And these changes have impacted our lives and earth immeasurably. This is where the factor greed comes in to play, the need for more. This need for more called for extensive measures, measures like fertilizers, pesticides and equipment to work the ground and harvest the crops became necessity. Agriculture became a booming business that did not and still does not promote the well-being of the employee nor the individual let alone the family unit and community. Since 1950 an average farm size has doubled, but the number of laborers decreased substantially and the number of small local farmers has been cut in half. Farmers have been forced to become more efficient and there 's been a reliance on greater chemicals and technology, which has become very extensive and expensive. Sadly, what has been short term expansion has become a long-term threat (Trautmann, 2012). This greed driven increase has led to subtle damaging ramifications that most people are ignorant to. Their needs are being met as quality is being forsaken. Our environment is being squandered. Selfishness abounds.
farmers who had a difficulty making a living off of the crop because of the work that
"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words, but of deeds." These famous words from "The FFA Creed" by E.M. Tiffany outline the basic beliefs of FFA members and agriculturists around the world. But these values, although crucial to the sustaining of our world's ever-increasing population, are growing more and more detached from the people not involved in agriculture. Although food and fiber production has increased in recent years, providing more bushels per acre and more meat per head of cattle, the agriculture industry has come under fire due to an overwhelming majority of people being totally disconnected from the agriculture industry. Today, we'll examine the primary causes of this disconnect, the negative effects on agriculture and our society as a whole that results from it, and how you can help solve this ever-growing problem.
Over the years agriculture has nearly diminished from the workforce. Why is this happening? In fact, ever since the Industrial Revolution’s promises of “big city success” agriculture has taken a hit. Agriculture has been a foundation for the infrastructure of the United States since it’s creation. Agricultural careers are a necessity for the nation. It is important through the history, from whom it affects, the effects on the environment and people, and to find a solution to the loss of this core element.
The agriculture industry is not only the largest industry within our state, but also within our nation. However, in recent years it has also been one of the most heavily criticized. This has led to a ‘brain drain’ in rural America as more people decide to leave our industry and their family farms.
Although I am not from a farm, I think I am still closely related to agriculture since my major is nutrition. As a nutrition major, it is important to know the chemistry of food and plants, the growing places of crops in the United States, the way farmer grow the crops, the benefits and risks behind organic crops, the benefits and risks of GMO and the potential food safety problems associated to pathogens, pesticides, toxicity. Besides, knowing how much crop grown and crop prices can give me a more complete picture on nutrition. Since food costs and availability influences people’s food choices and their nutrient intake. For example, the high costs for vegetables is one of the reason that causes obesity problem in the United States. Besides, one of my aunt is currently living in China, she owned a farmland and grow crops such as sweet potatoes, choy sum for her family.
The price per acre of farm land doubled to $2,140 over the last 10 years. A lack of health care also hurts farmers as farming ranks as the fourth most dangerous occupation in the country, and young farmers often must choose between health care and paying for their farm. All of these obstacles and more make farming a difficult occupation to enter. We need organizations such as Young Farmers’ to provide support, education and training to help our nation’s most important
our Farming season are short because of the soil in many places was rocky, Most of our farmers practiced subsistence farming, that is, they produced just enough food for themselves and sometimes a little extra to trade in town.
Growing up on a small family wheat farm in southwestern Oklahoma, I have experienced the harsh conditions of farming firsthand. The job that used to employ the largest amount of people in the United States has lost the support and the respect of the American people. The Jeffersonian Ideal of a nation of farmers has been tossed aside to be replaced by a nation of white-collar workers. The family farm is under attack and it is not being protected. The family farm can help the United States economically by creating jobs in a time when many cannot afford the food in the stores. The family farm can help prevent the degradation of the environment by creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the people producing the food and nature. The family farm is the answer to many of the tough questions facing the United States today, but these small farms are going bankrupt all too often. The government’s policy on farming is the largest factor in what farms succeed, but simple economics, large corporations, and society as a whole influence the decline in family farms; small changes in these areas will help break up the huge corporate farms, keeping the small family farm afloat.
The highest 10 percent earned more than $113,140. Incomes of farmers change from year to year because prices of farm sales change with weather conditions and other reasons. In addition to earning pay from their farm business, farmers can get government aid or other payments that add to their income and reduce some of the risk of farming. Most farmers work full time. Farm work can be all year around and the number of hours worked may change according to the season ("How Much Money Do Farmers Make on Average Annually?" ). Farmers on crop farms usually work from sunrise to sunset sometimes even after dark during the planting and harvesting seasons. During the rest of the year they plan the next season’s crops and repair and maintain machinery. The average farmer works more than 40 hours per
Feeding The Third World Millions of people today, despite technological advances enabling fish and meat production and crop yields to soar, are still living in hunger. It is estimated that nearly 30% of the world's population suffer from some form of malnutrition, and the majority of these people live in Developing Countries. Intensive and Subsistence Farming both present possible solutions to dealing with world hunger and ending the suffering of the Third World. Intensive Agriculture, also known as Factory or Battery Farming, involves land being farmed in order to achieve the greatest yield possible with the use of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides because it is used to supply large
According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, aging farmers and ranchers, whose average age has risen from 52 to 57 during the last 20 years, are often retiring without a younger family member willing to take over (2007). With the loss of multi-generation ranches comes the rise of corporations. This ultimately leads to greater employment rates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that nearly 60,000 skilled agricultural job openings are expected annually in the U.S., yet only 35,000 graduates will be available to fill them (2012). Agricultural managers should find more opportunities this way. Owners of large lots of land, who aren’t often living on the property, will begin to pursue an agricultural manager’s expertise to run their farms as businesses. The decline in farmers, and the increase in large operations can reap many benefits for graduates looking to emerge themselves in an agricultural career.