About this episode
Doug Stephan discusses the challenges facing family farmers due to the war's impact on the ag-economy and the USDA's priorities for improvement.
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with a look at the impact the war is having on family farms and the food supply here in the U.S. As an industry, we’re in jeopardy. According to research being done by agrologists, 50% of us could go out of business sooner than later. Brooke Rollins has the USDA focusing on five priorities to turn the ag-economy around. Those areas of focus are on increasing farmer profitability, expanding markets, combatting invasive species, improving soil health, and advancing precision nutrition. Additionally, the USDA is inviting the public to share their thoughts and inquiries. Doug rounds out the farming focus opining some of the programs of today and how they compare to programs back in the day. For instance, there was a surplus of food following World War I due to increased production, increased technology on the farm and the industrial revolution. All of this followed by the Great Depression with unprecedented unemployment reaching nearly 25% and causing widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, and starvation for millions of Americans. Website…
People in this episode
Hosts: Doug Stephan, Doug
Topics covered
- agriculture
- economy
- food supply
- family farming
- USDA initiatives
Keywords
- ag-economy
- family farmers
- USDA priorities
- farmer profitability
- food insecurity
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Eastleigh Farm
Places: U.S.
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