Fast Facts About Agriculture & Food (2024)

1.9 million farms dot America’s rural landscape, and 95% are operated by families – individuals, family partnerships or family corporations (USDA Census of Agriculture, 2022).

Family farms and ranches account for 90% of total agricultural production value.

Farmers and ranchers receive only 15 cents (on average) out of every retail dollarspent on food at home and away from home. The rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate: wages and materials for production, processing, marketing, transportation and distribution.

30% of all farmers are beginning farmers (in business less than 10 years); their average age is 47.

9% of U.S. farmers are serving or have served in the military.

Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable and among the world’s safest, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families.

One acre of land can grow a variety of crops, including 50,000 pounds of strawberries or 2,784 pounds (46.4 bushels) of wheat.

One day’s production for a high-producing dairy cow yields 4.8 pounds of butter, 8.7 gallons of ice cream or 10.5 pounds of cheese.

On any given day, one in eight Americans will eat pizza.

Farm and ranch families comprise less than 2% of the U.S. population.

Total U.S. corn yield (tons per acre) has increased more than 360% since 1950.

Of the 11% of disposable income Americans spend on food each year, the dollars are splitfairly evenly between food eaten at home and dining out, takeout or delivery.

Many Americans celebrate holidays with food, spending a total of nearly $14 billion each year.

On average, one U.S. farm feeds 166 people annually in the U.S. and abroad. The global population is expected to increase by 2.2 billion by 2050, which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 70% more food than what is now produced.

Cattle and calves, corn, and soybeans are the top three U.S. farm products.

Farming accounts for about 1% of the U.S. gross domestic product.

In 2023, $174.9billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world.

About 6% of U.S. farms market foods locally through direct-to-consumer sales.

The pounds of feed (grain, forage, etc.) a dairy cow needs to eat to produce 100 pounds of milk has decreased by more than 40%on average in the last 40 years.

Farm programs typically cost each American just pennies per meal and account for less than one-half of 1% of the total U.S. budget.

More than half of America’s farmers intentionally provide habitat for wildlife.These efforts have contributed to population increases in native wildlife such as deer, moose and certain species of birds.

Careful stewardship by America’s food producers has spurred a 34% decline in erosion of cropland by wind and water since 1982.

Farmers are embracing and growing renewable energy. In 2022, a total of 153,101 farms and ranches used renewable energy producing systems compared to 57,299 in 2012, a 167% increase over 10 years. On farm renewable energy systems include geothermal, solar panels, windmills, hydro systems and methane digesters.

Americans throw away about 25% of the food they purchase for at-home consumption.

A whopping 40% of all food grown and produced in the U.S. is never eaten.

About 20% of U.S. farm products by value are exported each year.

Women make up 36% of the total number of U.S. farm operators; 58% of all farms have at least one female decision-maker.

Fast Facts About Agriculture & Food (2024)

FAQs

What is a fact about agriculture, food, and natural resources? ›

Farmers will have to grow 70 percent more food than what is currently produced to feed the world's growing population by 2050. Each American farmer produces food and fiber for 165 people annually, both in the U.S. and abroad. Eight percent of U.S. farms market foods locally through farmers' markets and food hubs.

What are 3 good things about agriculture? ›

Agriculture impacts society in many ways, including: supporting livelihoods through food, habitat, and jobs; providing raw materials for food and other products; and building strong economies through trade.

What are 10 facts about agriculture? ›

  • Cattle and calves, corn, and soybeans are the top three U.S. farm products.
  • Farming accounts for about 1% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
  • In 2023, $174.9 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world.
  • About 6% of U.S. farms market foods locally through direct-to-consumer sales.

Why is agriculture important facts? ›

Agriculture is essential for any society to feed the population. It plays a vital role in the growth of the economy of any country and its development. Since agriculture is considered to be a provider of food, human existence depends directly on it.

Why is agriculture important to food? ›

Food and agriculture are important for one simple reason: Everyone eats. Without food, we could not survive, let alone do anything else. And there are a lot of people around the world - more than eight billion. This means that there is a lot of agriculture going on in order to produce a lot of food.

What are some fun facts about farm animals? ›

Interesting Facts About Farm Animals
  • Goats and sheep don't have teeth on their upper jaw. ...
  • Goats are great companions for other farm animals, including horses, cows, and chickens.
  • Sheep make a bleating sound. ...
  • One mature ewe (female sheep) produces 7 to 10 pounds of newly shorn wool a year – enough to make a man's suit.

What are 4 advantages of farming? ›

5 Important Benefits of Farming
  • Farming is Good for Your Health. ...
  • Being a Farmer is Challenging and Stimulating Work. ...
  • It Provides a Source of Income in Rural Areas. ...
  • Farm Work Helps Develop Younger Generations. ...
  • Farming Can Help the Environment Thrive.
May 5, 2022

What is the most important thing in agriculture? ›

The most important aspect of the agriculture industry may be that it is the source of the world's food supply. Considering that agriculture is responsible for everything from harvesting crops to raising livestock, the agriculture industry meets the daily food needs of vegetarians and carnivores alike.

What are the 3 major agricultural crops? ›

Grains, such as corn, wheat, and rice, are the world's most popular food crops. Food crops were the first crops to be harvested through agriculture. Agricultural development and the growth of civilizations led to the diversity of other types of crops.

What are some fun facts about the FFA? ›

The FFA motto includes 12 short words: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” Jan Eberly became the first female National FFA President in 1982. Today, 34% of FFA members are female and more than 50% of state leadership positions are held by women.

Why is food and agriculture important? ›

Food and agriculture are important for one simple reason: Everyone eats. Without food, we could not survive, let alone do anything else. And there are a lot of people around the world - more than eight billion. This means that there is a lot of agriculture going on in order to produce a lot of food.

What is an interesting fact about the food industry? ›

01The food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the world. 02The fast food industry generates over $570 billion in revenue annually. 03Processed foods account for nearly 70% of the average American's caloric intake. 04The food industry heavily relies on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

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