Celebrating American Agriculture Through FARM 250

Some of the most important stories in this country aren’t found in history books. They’re found in early mornings before the sun comes up, in fields that have been worked by the same family for generations, and in the quiet determination it takes to keep going when the odds are stacked against you.

That is the story of American agriculture. And as our nation approaches its 250th birthday, it’s a story worth telling. That’s why Farm Bureau is celebrating FARM 250: Feeding families, Advancing innovation, Rural resilience and Mindful stewardship.

American Agriculture Feeds Families

On my farm, everything we do starts with the goal of taking care of the land and ends with the goal of feeding families across America. That’s true for farmers and ranchers across this country.

Every minute, U.S. agriculture produces the equivalent of more than 5 million pounds of crops and animal products, but that number only tells part of the story. Behind it are family farmers, working long hours and passing down a way of life from one generation to the next. In fact, 97% of farms in this country are family owned.

Today, less than 2% of Americans work on farms. Yet they produce enough food to feed our nation and millions of people around the world. That’s a responsibility that farmers don’t take lightly.

American Agriculture Continues to Innovate

Farming has never been easy, but it has always been forward-looking. From the earliest days of this country to now, farmers have adapted, improved and found new ways to advance innovation. Today, that means everything from precision agriculture and robotics to tools that allow us to grow more while using fewer resources.

I’ve seen firsthand how technology can make a difference on my farm. But innovation doesn’t happen on its own. It takes investment, research and a commitment to making sure farmers have the tools they need to succeed.

If we want the next generation to keep farming, we have to keep pushing forward.

American Agriculture is Built on Resilience

If you spend any time in agriculture, you learn pretty quickly that there are a lot of things you can’t control. Weather, markets, and input costs can make or break a year.

Right now, rural resilience is being tested as farmers face the toughest economic environment in decades. Input costs are rising, commodity prices are down, and uncertainty seems to follow us every step of the way. According to USDA, we’ve lost over 199,000 farms since 2015. At the same time, almost two-thirds of America’s farmers are over the age of 55, and fewer young people are stepping in to take their place.

That weighs on farm families and rural communities. Farmers are resilient—we always have been. But resilience alone isn’t enough. Farmers need policies that work. We need a new farm bill, reliable markets and a regulatory environment that allows us to keep producing the food, fuel and fiber American families depend on. We’re also urging the President to include much-needed market relief for farmers in the military supplemental package the administration is considering in the coming weeks.

American Agriculture Cares for the Land

Farmers don’t just work the land. We take care of it. We know that what we do today has to carry forward to the next generation, so mindful stewardship is critical.

That’s why so many farmers are using conservation practices like cover crops, no-till farming and rotational grazing. These practices protect soil, preserve water and help ensure that our land stays productive for years to come.

Thanks to advancements in agriculture, it would take 100 million more acres to produce the same amount of food we do today that we did just 30 years ago. That’s a testament to the care and commitment of farmers and ranchers across this country.

FARM 250: Honoring the Past, Strengthening the Future of American Agriculture

FARM 250 is about recognizing the role agriculture has played in shaping this country, and the role it will continue to play moving forward. For generations, farmers and ranchers have been the backbone of rural communities and a driving force in our nation’s economy.

Now, we have an opportunity to share those stories. We’ll have more announcements on our FARM 250 webpage soon about how we’re marking this milestone.

America’s success has always started at the farm gate. For 250 years, farmers and ranchers have fed this nation, fueled the economy and strengthened our communities. And if we get the policies right and continue to support those who grow our food, there’s no doubt we’ll keep doing it for the next 250 years.