Progressive Gazette
May 13, 2014
Less than 0.7% of the US labor force is on the farm, compared to 5.2% in the EU and 34.8% in China.
In 1935, we had 1 farm for every 19 Americans.
Today, we have 1 farm for every 142 – meaning fewer, bigger farms and less farmers.
Isn't this just "technological efficiency" at work?
Not really.
While average yields have risen over time, yields of mature, small organic farms are comparable to those mega-farms relying on GMOs, anhydrous ammonia and other synthetic technologies.
Furthermore, let's not forget the result of all this "efficiency" – to take America's corn crop, 40% becomes ethanol, 40% feeds livestock, 10% gets exported, and the remaining 10% becomes your high-fructose corn syrup and GMO corn flakes.
What is the solution for this neverending ag rollercoaster that puts families out of business and turns our farms into factories?
The New Deal Parity Price!
If you don't know what that is, you have some reading to do:
http://againstausterity.org/article/ufaa-101-parity-agriculture
