The Farming Crisis in America

The American agricultural landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, marked by a significant decline in both the number of farmers and the acreage of farmland. This shift has far-reaching implications for food security, particularly in rural communities. Simultaneously, we are increasing our reliance on imported food, which in sequence further feeds the deterioration of domestic and local farming. We are all responsible for diffusing our farming crisis, and resolution will be realized through diverse and functional practices, with education and community engagement as deep roots to cultivate resilience and ensure the continuance of local farms, regionally informed food and agricultural practices, and potlucks of farm fresh food.

Understanding the Crisis

Decline in Farmers and Farmland

We are experiencing a consistent decline in the number of farms for the past several decades. In 2023, the total number of U.S. farms was estimated at 1.89 million, a 7% decrease from the 2017 Census of Agriculture, which reported 2.04 million. This downward trend reflects a broader pattern of consolidation within the agricultural sector. Smaller farms are consistently and increasingly absorbed by large corporate entities. When a large corporate entity absorbs a small farm, monocultures are established for the purpose of increasing profits for the extractive corporations. These monocultures deplete the land of all nutrients and biodiversity. The soil loses its capacity to grow nourishing food as it is dried and turned to dust. This also affects the food that comes from these lands. The foods are less nutrient-dense, which is notable in the dull colors and lack of flavor. There are also financial pressures exerted by the large agribusinesses on the smaller farms. We’re experiencing our local farmers closing their operations and losing their land because of the trend of mass production and large economic scale (Economic Research Service).

Rise of Imported Food

As domestic food growth and circulation dissolves, we have become increasingly dependent on imported agricultural products. In 2022, the value of U.S. agricultural imports was $194 billion, which was an increase from the 2020 statistic of $148 billion. In 2010, U.S. agricultural imports were valued at $86 billion (U.S. International Travel Commission). In 1990, it was $20 billion (U.S. Dept of Agriculture). Our growing reliance on food that is grown and shipped from far away erodes our domestic food security, and it dissolves our connection to the landscapes we inhabit, the food that grows in these ecosystems, and the farmers who tend the land (Visual Capitalist).

We are also engaging with the reality of the geopolitical sphere, which includes tariffs and trade policies. Tariffs on agricultural imports raise prices on staple groceries, including meats like beef and pork, and produce like avocados, which impacts how we eat and how we are nourished because of what is accessible and affordable within stores (Reuters).

Food Scarcity in Rural America

Exporting Rural Food, Importing Resource Scarcity

A paradox exists in many of our rural American communities: while we are the primary producers of the nation's food supply, a massive portion of this produce is exported out of our communities and regions. This outflow leads to local food scarcity. Fresh and non-preserved food that is affordable is scarcely accessible. The economic interest of agricultural production bypasses our communities that cultivate these resources, leading to resource scarcity in the form of food and in the form of money.

The Consequences of Declining Farms and Farmers

The decline in the number of farmers producing food has profound implications for rural America. Beyond financial resource scarcity, the loss of farmers erodes our communities' cultural and social fabric. Agriculture is in the bones of rural identity; part of living rural that so many of us feel connected by is the act of living with and from the land. Its diminishment is the decay of heritage and a weakening of communal bonds.

Furthermore, reduced local food production again compromises food security, thus creating more instability and vulnerability in rural communities. External market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions have immense consequences on rural America. The economic distortion intensifies our rising food prices, which is a trend that we’re all experiencing and is shown in recent reporting (The Atlantic).

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Peace Amid Change

In order for us to meet the farming crisis and diverge from the path we are set on requires an act of radical acceptance. Radical acceptance is the practice of fully acknowledging reality as it is, without resistance. Our founder, Amy Milliron, shared her insight on her Substack – radical acceptance is not passive; it’s a pathway to grounding oneself in the present while holding space for hope and action.

Radical acceptance, as Amy explains, is not about tolerating mistreatment or ignoring truth—it’s about creating space to navigate challenges with authenticity. By embracing this mindset, we can face uncertainty with resilience and intention, balancing acceptance and hope as we move forward.

The Role of Education in Restoring Farming

Education as a Solution

Integrating agricultural education into school curricula is essential for cultivating the next generation of farmers. Currently, most school systems do not have comprehensive programs that introduce students to the principles and practices of farming, particularly regenerative agriculture. If we thread these topics into education, we will call in the next generation to pursue agriculture and foster a sense of stewardship with the land.

Apprenticeship and Regenerative Farming

Hands-on apprenticeships provide invaluable opportunities for young people to gain practical experience in farming. Regenerative farming practices, which focus on restoring soil health and enhancing biodiversity, offer a reciprocity-based approach to agriculture. By apprenticing new farmers in these methods, we can promote environmental regeneration and ensure the long-term viability of our food systems and communities. Our programs offer apprenticeship style learning for individuals no longer in grade school. While we need farmers from the next generations; we also need more farmers in this generation. 

Building Hope Through Community Resilience

Community Support for Farmers

Each of us contributing to our local community is crucial in bolstering small farms and the lives of farmers. By participating in your farmers' market, joining community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and advocating for local food systems, you enrich the small farmer sector and contribute to the continuance of local food security. It’s common to feel a disconnect from your landscape and local food; however, it can be revitalized by focusing on your engagement with your local landscape and investing in educating yourself.

Cultivating Community Connection

In order for us to build community around local food we must create spaces and opportunities for interaction between farmers and consumers. Educational workshops, farm-to-table events, and local food festivals can foster these connections. Investing in these relationships will develop resilient local economies and contribute to the regeneration of local and small agriculture.

Conclusion

The farming crisis in America cannot be overlooked. Two opportunities for resolution are education and community engagement. Both offer revitalization. We all must acknowledge our shared reality. Investing in agricultural education and fostering strong community ties is a communal act. We can work toward a regenerative, reciprocity-based, and secure food future. Participating in educational programs dedicated to these goals is a tangible step individuals can take to contribute to this vital cause.

1. Economic Research Service (ERS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2023). Chart Detail: Decline in U.S. Farms Over Time. ERS website. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=58268

2. George S. Serletis, USITC Executive Briefings on Trade. (2011). U.S. agricultural imports reached a record $86 billion in 2010 making the United States the world’s leading single-country importer of food products.Retrieved from https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/AG_Import.pdf

3. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Sector. (2022). Visualization: U.S. Agricultural Trade. Retrieved from https://fas.usda.gov/data/us-agricultural-trade

4. Visual Capitalist. (2023). U.S. Food Imports by Country. Visual Capitalist website. Retrieved from https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/us-food-imports-by-country/

5. Amy Milliron. (2024). Hope, Cope, and Float: Pursuing Passions with Radical Acceptance for Inner Peace. Substack. Retrieved from https://resilientnurturer.substack.com/p/hope-cope-and-float

6. Reuters. (2024). Trump Tariffs Could Raise Grocery, Liquor Bills - From Beef and Pork to Avocados and Tequila. Reuters website. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/trump-tariffs-could-raise-grocery-liquor-bills-beef-pork-avocados-tequila-2024-11-26

7. The Atlantic. (2024). Get Ready for Higher Food Prices. The Atlantic website. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2024/11/food-prices-trump-presidency/680670/