The latest agriculture census data reveals a greater number of farms in the U.S. — just over 2.2 million in 2007, up from more than 2.1 million in 2002 — and about a 52% increase in overall property value, but the average size of farms has fallen to 418 acres from 441 acres over the same period.
About 59.8% of farms sold less than $10,000 worth of agricultural products in 2007, and only 16.2% sold more than $100,000. That same year, agriculture was one of the largest contributors to GDP growth, alongside construction, professional and business services and real estate, rental and leasing, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
But are these small farms viable. After all it takes more than $10,000 to live a year. Data that I recently read says that it takes sales of at least $50,000 per year for a farm to economically viable. What family can live off of $50,000 per year in this day and age, especially since this is the gross amount of sales and farm expenses are going to take a large part of the sales income.
My best guess is that it takes something closer to $200,000 to be a self sustaining farm, and even then times will be hard. That means that only about 10% of farmers are making a living off of the farm. Even then I would bet that a job in town is held by someone in the family, or a Social Security check is providing some income. That means that of the 2% of Americans who are farmers, only a small percentage of that 2% are making their entire living off of the farm. That is precious few folks to provide our food here in America.
Michael
Filed under: Ag education, Animal care, Corn, family, Farm, farm animals, food, food safety, harvest, hunger, organic | Tags: beef, Corn, farm, Food, food safety, harvest, hunger, vegan
I read an interesting article on the visit of a vegan to a cattle feed lot today. The vegan was Ryan Andrews, and his credentials are impressive. I thought you might like to read what Ryan found when he visited the Magnum Feedyard in Wiggins, Colorado. Check out http://www.precisionnutrition.com/cattle-feedlot-visit and see for yourself how the truth broke down concepts of cattle feeding.
Filed under: charity, church, food, hunger, make a difference | Tags: charity, children, Food, hunger
I had the opportunity to help serve at a kitchen for those who cannot afford enough food on Tuesday. ”The Banquet” in Sioux Falls serves 9 meals a week to those dollar doesn’t make it far enough to cover their expenses. Our church raised the money for the meal, cooked and served dinner for over 500, including over 100 children.
The clients were over all polite and clean. They were willing to talk to you, and were sometimes funny and usually cheerful.
Many of the kids and a few of the adults made a trip to the reading table before they ate. Magazines and books of all types were taken out for reading. We had a few toys along and they also disappeared.
It is distressing to me that we have people in this country who cannot make enough money to pay for their meals. This land of opportunity has passed up so many. We all must do what we can to help. Please donate your time and your dollars to your local food shelf or kitchen. There are so many who need the help we can give.
Michael
Filed under: church, food, house, hunger, Music, Politicians, Politics | Tags: greed, hunger, imagine, music, peace, war
John Lennon’s “Imagine” has been in my mind lately
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possession
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
The thought of a world with out war interests me. The things that people kill and die for are beyond me. I was raised in a world of love and acceptance, so to hate enough to kill a person is tough to think of. Yes, I believe I could kill to defend myself or another, but not for a belief.
Yet John was a dreamer, our world will never be with out passions of some kind. The struggle for food, home and to pass on our genetics is ingrained into creatures of all types. A world with out struggle will not work, but it would be nice.
Michael
